Here is all you need to know about Hall of Famer age 71 Bill Walton’s family, his wife Lori Matsuoka, kids and more
Bill Walton, a well-known analyst for the National Basketball Association (NBA) and a Hall of Famer, died at the age of 71. The league announced on Monday that Walton had passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Walton was well-known for his exceptional time playing collegiate basketball in California and for conquering a stutter to launch a lucrative broadcasting career.
Who is Lori Matsuoka second wife of Bill Walton, bio, age, height, kids, nationality and Instagram
Standing six feet eleven inches tall, he played centre for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) basketball team from 1971 to 1974.
According to an NBA statement, Walton passed away on May 27 while surrounded by his family. Amid his demise, let us have a look at his family, wife, kids and more.
A look at Bill Walton’s wife
I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc pic.twitter.com/GAEt1DRH8N
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton was married twice. He married his second wife Lori Matsuoka in 1991. He was earlier married to Susan Guth from 1979 to 1989.
The Times described Lori as being “in her mid-30’s, a tiny, beautiful woman of Japanese ancestry,” quoting Walton as saying, “She’s an American. That’s all you need to know” but he wouldn’t tell the Times her age or when they married.
“We met at a party at my house 11 years ago,” he told the Times. “She went to U.C.L.A., and she’s a Deadhead, what more do you need to know?” Her official age and height still aren’t known though.
On her Instagram bio, Lori Walton describes herself as a “Philanthropy Editor” who also works with service dogs for wounded military veterans.
Following a “bitter divorce” from his first wife, Susie, the mother of his four sons, as reported by The New York Times Magazine, he married Lori 33 years ago. Throughout their three-decade-long marriage, Lori was a constant source of support, particularly for Walton’s health issues.
Bill welcomed four children with his first wife named Adam, Nathan, Luke and Chris. All of them went to follow in the footsteps of his father in basketball.
Just like Bill, his son Luke followed in the footsteps of his legendary father and pursued his career in basketball. He won two NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He then went on to become the coach of the Western Conference side before he decided to manage Sacramento King in 2019 after two years as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors.
Bill’s other sons, Chris Walton, Nate Walton and Adam Walton are also former basketball players playing for San Diego State, Princeton University and Louisiana State University respectively.
Adam is meanwhile, the assistant head coach of the college side San Diego Mesa. Bill also has three grandchildren Olivia, Avery Rose and Chase.