Who Is Rizzos wife?
Anthony Rizzo's wife is Emily Vakos. While her husband spent years making headlines as a star first baseman in Major League Baseball—playing for organizations like the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees—Vakos maintains a distinct career and professional identity away from the constant flashbulbs of the sports world. Born on January 9, 1994, she has built a profile as both a trained nutritionist and a professional real estate broker. Rather than seeking the public spotlight, she manages her personal and professional life with a level of privacy that often leaves fans curious about who she is beyond her marriage.
The couple's relationship dates back several years before they tied the knot in late 2018. Understanding her background requires looking past the standard sports-spouse label to examine her education, her career trajectory, and how the couple crossed paths during Anthony's tenure in Chicago.
Early Life and Educational Background
Emily Vakos grew up in Dallas, Texas, where she spent her formative years. She attended local schools before pursuing higher education at Arizona State University. During her time at university, she focused heavily on health sciences, nutrition, and food management.
Her academic pursuits laid the groundwork for her early professional endeavors in dietetics and health promotion. Unlike many public figures who pivot entirely into social media influencing or brand sponsorships, Vakos built her initial resume in structured corporate and community health environments. To see the complete picture, we recommend the recent analysis by The New York Times.
Career in Nutrition and Real Estate
Long before marrying a professional athlete, Vakos focused on health education and food science. Her professional background includes roles that emphasize wellness and community service:
- Worked as a health assistant with community nutrition programs.
- Completed internships focused on nutritional health and school district wellness programs.
- Gained corporate experience in the health supplement and nutrition sector.
After transitioning away from dietetics, she shifted her professional focus toward the housing market. She established herself as a licensed real estate broker, working primarily in the Greater Chicago Area. This career shift allowed her to build an independent business identity separate from her husband's athletic career.
How Anthony Rizzo and Emily Vakos Met
The paths of the baseball star and the nutritionist crossed during Anthony's tenure with the Chicago Cubs. Vakos worked within health and nutrition spaces that intersected with professional sports organizations, where proper dietary management is a major component of player recovery and performance.
Their relationship developed quietly out of the immediate public eye. In June 2017, Anthony proposed to Emily during a scenic cruise on Lake Michigan. The engagement drew warm wishes from teammates, sports analysts, and fans alike, marking a significant milestone for the couple.
The Wedding in Miami
Following a year and a half engagement, the couple married on December 30, 2018, in Miami, Florida, Anthony's hometown. The ceremony was a private yet star-studded affair attended by close family members, friends, and notable figures from the baseball community, including fellow players and country music artist Brett Eldredge.
The wedding marked the official blending of their lives, with both sharing glimpses of the celebration on social media to thank well-wishers for a magical start to the new year.
Philanthropy and Public Life
Athletes and their spouses often use their platforms to drive charitable initiatives, and the Rizzos are no exception. Through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, the couple has poured substantial time and resources into cancer research and support systems for families battling the disease—a cause deeply personal to Anthony, who is a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor.
While Anthony serves as the public face of these foundations, Emily frequently participates in charity events, hospital visits, and community outreach programs coordinated by the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emily Vakos's profession?
She is trained as a nutritionist and works professionally as a real estate broker, managing property transactions primarily in the Chicago area.
When did Anthony Rizzo and Emily Vakos get married?
The couple tied the knot on December 30, 2018, in Miami, Florida, after dating for several years and getting engaged in 2017.
Where did Emily Vakos go to college?
She attended Arizona State University, where she focused her studies on nutrition and health sciences.
Does Emily Vakos share social media updates?
While she maintains a presence online, she keeps her personal life relatively private compared to high-profile influencers, focusing mostly on real estate and philanthropic efforts alongside her husband.