Mariah Antetokounmpo, the wife of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, is courageously sharing her battle with postpartum depression following the birth of their fourth child, Aria Capri. In a heartfelt Instagram post on September 28, Mariah opened up about her personal struggles, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in mental health discussions.
“Being vulnerable nowadays is kind of scary, but if I can help just one person, I believe sharing my story is worth it,” she wrote.
Mariah, 33, continued to explain that her aim is not to seek sympathy but to utilize her platform to assist others facing similar mental health challenges. “Four kids later and you’d think I have it all figured out — but I don’t. Nothing can truly prepare you for becoming a mom, or in my case, a mom of four. While childbirth was the most physically painful thing my body has endured, battling my mental health has proven just as challenging. I survived PPD with our firstborn, but I truly wasn’t ready for what was to come this time around.”
Before giving birth to Capri, Mariah began experiencing anxiety, saying, “my brain was somehow convinced I had a terminal illness that would prevent me from seeing my kids grow up.” This anxiety escalated to panic attacks, exacerbated by her reliance on online resources to self-diagnose, resulting in darker thought patterns.
Despite the birth itself being “smooth” and Capri being a healthy baby, Mariah noticed a shift in her mental health almost immediately afterward. “Mental health took a turn — and the dark thoughts started creeping back in,” she recalled. Rather than reaching out for support, she chose to isolate herself, seeking solace in solitude instead of sharing her struggles.
“Like every mom, I held it together the best I could for my kids and my husband. Looking back, leaning on my family is what truly kept me afloat. I wasn’t myself; I was showing up and caring for my family, but my mind wasn’t present,” she explained.
Mariah faced her difficulties in silence for several months, ultimately realizing that sharing her story was a vital step towards healing. “This honesty feels so freeing,” she expressed.
Alongside her post, Mariah shared a series of touching photographs. They included a radiant image of herself with a joyful Capri, a moment capturing her affectionately kissing her daughter, and a light-hearted snapshot with Giannis as they attempted a selfie together.
In her family, Mariah and Giannis are parents to three children besides Capri: sons Liam and Maverick and daughter Eva. The couple’s journey began in 2014 when they met in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League, where Mariah interned following her graduation from Rice University. After ten years of dating, Mariah and Giannis tied the knot in September 2024.
For those who are struggling or know someone who is, help is readily available. You can call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for support.
