Children’s lives aren’t always easy, but having supportive parents can make all the difference.
Mariah Bird is a clear example of how one event can turn someone’s life forever, as her fate was rewritten when Larry Bird, a former basketball star, decided to adopt her.
Bird’s story is an inspiration to all of us, especially those who believe that they’re less privileged. So, who is she? What does she do? Keep reading to learn more about her.
Who is Mariah Bird?
Mariah Bird is an American citizen, born in 1991, although details about her birth date and location aren’t confirmed. After she was born, Mariah’s parents decided to give her up for adoption, and little is known about her relationship with them.
Larry Bird, a former basketball player and coach-turned-executive, had one unsuccessful marriage but had a biological daughter, Corrie, born in 1977. He met Dinah Mattingly at Indiana State University, but little was known about her until she started dating the NBA star. They finally got married in 1989.
Bird and Mattingly didn’t have any biological children, so they considered adoption in the early 1990s. Mariah is regarded as the second child of Larry Bird and the first child of Dinah Mattingly. The couple later adopted another child, Conor.
Mariah Bird’s Family
As mentioned earlier, Mariah values the privacy of her biological parents. So, we’re unsure if she’s in contact with them. But her adoptive family is a famous one, and she maintains a good relationship with her parents and siblings.
Her adoptive father, Larry Bird, is a legendary NBA star who earned three prestigious NBA titles. After retirement, he became a coach to the Boston Celtics and Indian Pacers, and he earned the Coach of the Year title.
His wife, Dinah, is probably a housewife, and she doesn’t like to share details about her life. Little is known about her career or family, but it’s apparent that Bird wouldn’t have achieved this success if he didn’t have a loving and supportive family.
Her Siblings
Mariah’s older sister, Corrie, was raised by Larry Bird’s first wife, Janet Condra, and her stepfather, Mr. Hargrave. She attended Indiana State University, earning a degree in Business Administration and Education. She worked as a health manager in several hospitals and earned her MBA in Medical Administration later.
It’s sad to know that Corrie has always had a strained relationship with her father. By the time she was born, he was already married to another woman, and he asked her mother for a paternity test. The results proved that she was definitely Larry Bird’s daughter, but she was a toddler by then, and it seems she didn’t get over this controversy.
Maria’s other sibling is Conner, also adopted by the Birds. Conner was born in 1992, and shortly after his birth, he was adopted by Larry Bird and his second wife.
Unlike his two sisters, Conner was a spoiled kid growing up, and his problems didn’t stop when he became an adult. In 2013, he was accused of attempting to run over a former girlfriend after hitting her. He was also charged with the possession of 30 grams of marijuana.
Luckily, the case was dismissed after he completed a 12-month compliance agreement. He has since kept a low profile, trying to stay out of trouble.
Mariah Bird’s Education and Career
Mariah Bird probably attended a local school, but she didn’t share any details about her early education. Yet, it’s no secret that the basketball player’s daughter went to Boston University and got a degree in Science and Recreation. After that, she continued studying and went to Indiana University, like her adoptive mother.
As expected, Mariah expressed interest in basketball growing up. I mean, who wouldn’t be if their father is one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in NBA History List?
But it’s common for kids and teens to change their minds, and Mariah is no different. She later decided to pursue her passion for cheerleading and became a devoted full-time cheerleader after joining a local basketball team.
Although there’s no age limit for cheerleading, many young men and women think of it as a phase. They usually view it as a temporary job that can pay the bills until they find something better.
At least, this is what we think Mariah Bird has done. While working as a professional cheerleader, she started taking part in some event planning activities, and she planned some cheerleading events.
It seems that event planning proved to be more rewarding because she later became a trainee at an events planning company. Quitting cheerleading might have been a hard decision to make, but she probably didn’t regret it, especially after becoming an event manager at Pacers Sports and Entertainment.
Mariah Bird’s Personal Relationships
Mariah probably suffered from so much publicity surrounding her while growing up, so she tries to maintain a low profile regarding her private life. She doesn’t post anything personal on social media and hasn’t shared any news about being in a relationship.
Mariah Bird’s Net Worth
As an event manager, Mariah Bird makes about $80,000 a year. This means that she has an estimated net worth of $950,000. But she probably has some money in her name, given to her by her father.
She’s been living at her family’s $2.3 million mansion, so we don’t expect that she will struggle financially any time soon.
Wrap Up
Mariah Bird might not be Larry Bird’s biological daughter, but she’s definitely one of the reasons this basketball legend managed to stay on top of his game for years.
Born to unknown parents, Mariah’s life changed when Bird and his second wife decided to adopt her. She has an older sister from her father’s previous marriage and an adoptive brother.
Growing up, Mariah Bird showed some interest in basketball, but she later decided to become a cheerleader. After a few years, she found her true passion, events planning and has been working as an event planning manager ever since then.
