Strange Things About Paulina Gretzky And Dustin Johnson's Relationship
Paulina Gretzky was once simply known as the daughter of hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky. But, over time, she became one of the most-talked-about social media influencers, before being crowned the golf world's hottest WAG (the acronym for athletes' wives and girlfriends) when she began dating 2016 US Open winner and professional golf bad boy, Dustin Johnson.
Linking up with athlete has had its challenges, though. His past is chock-full of rumors that he had affairs with two of his fellow golfers' wives and whispers of an alleged drug habit. Still, that didn't stop this romance from moving ahead at full throttle, and Johnson hit a hole in one when Gretzky agreed to marry him in August 2013.
Despite being nearly inseparable and raising their two children together, River Jones Johnson and Tatum Gretzky Johnson, the duo's relationship is far from picture-perfect. In fact, they just might have one of the wackiest romances on and off the green. From cheating allegations to her parents being all up in their Kool-Aid 24/7, here are all the strange things about Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson's relationship.
Dustin Johnson's bromance with 'The Great One'
Before they had even been formally introduced, Dustin Johnson had forged a friendship with Paulina Gretzky's mom, Janet Gretzky, after the two met at their posh country club in 2009. After competing together in a golf competition, Janet invited Dustin over to their home for a family dinner, according to Golf.com.
It was at that time that the couple first met, but a relationship wouldn't blossom until some years later. "We became good friends. Actually, my whole family became friends with Dustin — my brothers and parents saw him a lot more than I did," Paulina told the publication. While some may describe Paulina and Dustin's relationship as turbulent and rocky at best, the golf pro's bond with her dad, "The Great One" — also known as Wayne Gretzky (above right) — has chugged along rather swimmingly. Dustin has labeled Wayne his mentor and even credited his advice for helping him move up the ranks in the golf world, according to USA Today.
Hmm... does anyone else find it odd that Dustin became best buds with every male member of Paulina's family before sparking a romance with her? There has to be some kind of bro-code against that, right?
Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson have faced cheating rumors
No relationship is perfect, and Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson have had a few bumps in the road as well, including back in September 2018 when a woman named Yassie Safai reportedly came in between them. There was some insinuation that Johnson had an affair with Safai after they bumped into each other at a golf course.
Safai denied the allegations and attempted to set the record straight, telling TMZ, "I am sure he is a great person but we do not have a close friendship. I have never met Paulina Gretzky and do not know the Gretzky family, but again, I am sure they are great people." But that wasn't enough for Gretzky. She went on an e-rampage and reportedly removed all traces of Johnson from her Instagram account, according to the New York Post.
Amid the rumors and speculation, Johnson fueled the flames. Instead of issuing a denial, he tweeted, in part: "Every relationship goes through its ups and downs, but most importantly, we love each other very much and are committed to being a family." Weeks later, it appeared they had kissed and made up when Gretzky accompanied Johnson to the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris, in photos posted by the New York Post. In one picture, the couple leaned in for a smooch, but the majority of the candid shots looked like the picture above, A.K.A. totes awk'!
Three's a crowd, unless you're Wayne Gretzky
It wasn't until three years after Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson met that they would have their first date. Well, it was kind of a date, but not really. "I don't know if you can call it a date since my dad tagged along," Paulina told Golf.com. We can't be the only ones wondering who paid for the dinner, can we?
As weird as it seems to outsiders that her dad, Wayne Gretzky, joined them, it was no big deal to the retired hockey player. "That's how it goes in our family," he said in justification for butting in on his daughter's special moment. After finishing their feast, the successful model reportedly asked her famous father to scram, and she and Johnson continued their conversation, talking late into the night. "Then I joined him in Hawaii [at Kapalua, in January 2013], and we've been together since," she said.
Most guys would run for the hills if their love interest's dad was all up in the mix like that, but, thankfully, it didn't deter Johnson from eventually putting a ring on it.
We're getting married! Wait — just kidding!
Dustin Johnson's off-the-green antics have caught up with him numerous times throughout his golf career, including in 2014 when he was allegedly suspended from the game for six months after testing positive for cocaine, Golf Magazine reported (via ESPN). Johnson later denied ever failing a drug test, and instead said in a statement that he had taken "a leave of absence," so he could "seek professional help for personal challenges I have faced."
Little did he know, the ramifications for his bad-boy ways would directly affect his relationship with Paulina Gretzky, too. News of the alleged suspension came less than a year after Johnson proposed, and Fox News reported the couple's scheduled Fall 2014 wedding was in danger of being canceled by her dad, who reportedly warned Johnson to clean up his act ... or else!
Welp, their Fall 2014 wedding never happened, and by June 2015, it was reported that the wedding was canceled completely. When 2016 rolled around, Johnson "hinted" to the New York Post that the wedding was on again. When he was asked if their ceremony would be "extravagant," he answered, "Don't matter to me. That bill is going to Wayne [Gretzky, Paulina's dad]."
As of this writing, the pair still haven't tied the knot, but it doesn't look like they're opposed to the act. In March 2020, Paulina was spotted dancing at her little brother's wedding, and Johnson was, of course, her date.
Dustin Johnson's days start and end with the Gretzkys
We've already established that Paulina Gretzky's parents play a huge role in not only her life, but in Dustin Johnson's life, as well. He and Paulina's dad, Wayne Gretzky, are frequently spotted on the driving range together, and their bond is so dynamic, Wayne even told sports reporter Graham Bensinger that he gets so nervous watching Dustin compete that it makes his stomach hurt!
But, moving on, some may say the Gretzky family is a bit too involved in the couple's day-to-day life. In a piece published by Sports Illustrated, Johnson gave some insight into his daily routine, which starts around 6:30 a.m. when he and his boo walk "from their rented townhouse to her parents' house for breakfast." But, it didn't end there. The publication also noted that at night, the couple returns to her parents' home to eat dinner!
Let's recap: not only do they live within walking distance of her parents, but they eat breakfast and dinner with them almost every day. Call us crazy, but dis tew much.
Fiancée, may I?
Paulina Gretzky is well-known for making a splash on social media, particularly pictures and videos of herself scantily-clad. Even after she and Dustin Johnson got engaged, she didn't let up with the booty-baring photos and salacious videos showing off her rocking bod. Let's face it, two kids later and she still looks amazing, right?!
Her followers are curious as to whether Johnson agrees with his significant other showing off all her assets on social media, and he let the Glass Half Empty podcast (via Golf Digest) know he has absolutely no say in what she posts. "She doesn't ask me! ... Like I would know what would be good to post or not. I'm terrible with that," he said.
But when it comes to his Instagram account, Johnson admitted, "I ask her, though, if I can post something," before adding that Gretzky usually disapproves of a post if it involves a picture of them that she doesn't really like. Okay, so he has to ask her permission to post but she doesn't have to do the same? Sounds like an unfair double standard, if you ask us.
Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson's Instagram displays of affection
When things are on a high note in his relationship, Dustin Johnson doesn't hold back when it comes to showing his affection for his baby mama, and that's evident by some of the racy comments he has left on Paulina Gretzky's Instagram photos.
Larry Brown Sports dug up all the salacious comments, including one where Johnson simply wrote: "I love that a**." Well, alrighty then. Under yet another provocative picture of Gretzky all decked out in lingerie, Johnson wrote, "I love you so much and I miss you can't wait to see you." Harmless, right? Well, he immediately followed up with an additional comment, which read, "Actually I can't wait.to [sic] get you in bed..."
Judging by Gretzky's reply — the double hands raised emoji — she was down for the dirty talk, but some things are better left private, so we're going to have to ask this duo to chill out. Like, for real.
Paulina Gretzky is the secret to Dustin Johnson's success
Paulina Gretzky and Dustin Johnson appear to have a love that transcends marriage. They don't need rings on their fingers to know it's the real thing. In a September 2020 interview with Golfweek, the pro golfer opened up about their relationship and admitted that Gretzky and his children were "the most important thing." Yes, even over golf, which used to be his top priority. "They'll always be the most important," he added.
Johnson, who's worth a reported $50 million, even went one step further and credited his massive success on the green to his longtime partner. "She's a huge part of me, our family and my success," he said. "She's home with the kids, and has been great with that, and just has been a huge supporter for me, with everything I need to do. She understands everything it takes to get to where you want to be and the sacrifices you have to make. Having her dad as the greatest hockey player, she understands."
The sports star also revealed that he "couldn't ask for a better partner." Awww! At this point, a wedding is just a formality. Who needs it? Truthfully, Johnson and Gretzky may never tie the knot, but they do seem to be stronger than ever.