Meet Bryce Harper's Wife Kayla Harper
MLB player Bryce Harper's career over the years has been impressive, to say the least. In June 2010, the Washington Nationals drafted Harper as No. 1 overall — a decision that apparently did not require too much thinking. "It was a pretty easy decision," Mike Rizzo, the team's general manager, told The Washington Post. At the time, Harper was only 17.
In the years that have since passed, Harper has very well lived up to the hype. After snagging the National Rookie of the Year title in 2012, per USA Today, at 23, Harper made history as the youngest player to win the Most Valuable Player award in 2015. And then, in 2019, the MLB star signed a mouth-watering $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, making history as the richest contract in MLB history at the time, as reported by CBS Sports.
Off the field, however, Harper equally enjoys almost as much success in his personal life. The 30-year-old enjoys a blissful marriage to his wife Kayla Harper, with whom he shares two adorable kids. But despite his fame and fortune, Bryce's wife and children will always be top priorities. "When I leave the field, it's all about them," he once told "AM 570 LA Sports." Keep reading to find out all about the woman that has captured Bryce's heart!
She was his high school sweetheart
Not all high school love stories end in happily-ever-afters, but Kayla Harper and her husband, Bryce Harper, apparently lucked out on that front. Per People, the baseball star met Kayla in high school and have since been together. While we might love the baseball star for his excellent skills on the field, among other things, Kayla was drawn to Bryce for his personality traits. "He's selfless, the most selfless guy ever... I think that's what always attracted me to him," she admitted to The Knot in 2017. "And he's goofy and funny — he loves to play pranks on me, and as much as I get annoyed by it, I secretly love it—he's just the best. I love him."
But with love comes great hardship, and like many other couples, Bryce and Kayla have waded through their share of high waters. According to Hollywood Life, after getting engaged the previous year, the couple was set to tie the knot in 2015. Except they didn't. In January 2015, The Washington Post reported that Kayla and Bryce had split and called off the wedding. The separation was, however, short-lived, as they soon got back together. Then, in July 2016, Bryce and Kayla got engaged again and were married six months later.
Kayla Harper had a Mormon wedding
According to People, both Kayla and Bryce are practicing Mormons and like many other religious people, were sure to make their wedding ceremony reflective of their faith. The couple had their ceremony in a temple approved by their church, the Church of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormon church. This, apparently was a long time dream for the bride. "I dreamt of being sealed in the San Diego Temple, and Bryce agreed that this was the right place for us," she explained to The Knot. Recalling their big day to The Knot, Kayla admitted that her and Bryce's religion was "obviously the most important part of our marriage," adding that it was great to have been able to share the experience with their immediate family.
And while only a few of their loved ones were invited to the temple, the couple was able to celebrate with their friends at a 200 plus cell phone free reception. "We [wanted] people to enjoy it and to actually talk to each other," Bryce explained. "You know, me and Kayla are very into communication ... So our wedding was great with that ... Everyone danced and hung out, and they talked. It was fantastic."
A proud mama of two
In April 2019, three years into their marriage, Bryce Harper announced that he was expecting his first child with Kayla Harper. Taking to Instagram, Bryce shared a photo of himself and Kayla holding a "Baby Harper" No. 3 jersey. "Philly raised little man will be! #BabyHarper," he captioned. Four months later, the baseball star shared that they had welcomed a son, Krew Aron, in an Instagram photo featuring a photo of himself and Kayla cradling the newborn.
Then, in June 2020, NBC Sports confirmed the couple was pregnant with their second child, this time, a girl. A few months later, their daughter Brooklyn Elizabeth Harper was born. Since welcoming her kids, Kayla has continued to document her life as a mother of two, and if her Instagram page is anything to go by, there is nothing she loves more!
Bryce has also, on several occasions, celebrated Kayla not just as a wife but as a mother to their two kids. "Happy Mother's to the most thoughtful, beautiful, and loving woman in my life," he wrote on Instagram. "I've been so blessed with a Wife, Mom, Mother in Law, and Sister that are just the most incredible Mama's! I love you all so much and hope you all enjoy your special day!"
She also has a history in sports
Kayla Harper might be no MLB player like her husband, but even she, apparently, had an impressive run in sports. According to the New York Post, Harper played soccer in high school, racking up incredible achievements, including a state record for career assists. The mom-of-two reportedly also served as captain, leading her team to a Nevada state championship win. Following her graduation in 2011, Kayla continued pursuing her soccer career. Per People, while enrolled at Brigham Young University, Kayla played in the school's 2011 and 2012 seasons before transferring to Ohio State University. There, she continued playing until her 2015 graduation.
While not much is known about her time as a soccer player, Kayla seemingly had a close relationship with her teammates, as seen on her social media. To celebrate her last home game in 2014, Kayla shared a heartwarming montage featuring her Ohio State University teammates. "Last home game of my career tonight ... glad I get to share it with the most amazing group of girls," she captioned.
Kayla Harper is supportive of her husband
Kayla Harper's sports career might be over, but these days, she is more than happy to watch her husband smash goals and break records. According to her Instagram page, Kayla is a regular spectator at Bryce Harper's games and never holds back on sharing snippets from the fun moments. And other times, Kayla just wants Bryce and the rest of the world to know how proud she is of him.
In 2021, after he was named National League Most Valuable player, the mom of two took to social media with a lengthy tribute dedicated to Bryce. "I'm so dang proud of you!, she captioned an Instagram post. "I've been present to watch you do some amazing things in your career, but this season has been my favorite to share with you so far ... Thank you for being so fun to watch on the field and so present with our family off the field. Congrats, babe, you are so deserving!"
Speaking to "AM 570 LA Sports" in 2022, Bryce lauded his wife for her support both on and off the field. "My wife takes care of the kids at home," he said. "She does a great job at that. She supports me each night, goes to every single game she can ... I'm humbled to have a wife and a family like that."