Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union came together later in life, after they had already established independent lives and careers. When the two married in 2014, they found a way to blend their separate lives without hijacking each other's success. Gabrielle Union wanted to affirm that the marriage was a union of minds and hearts, and not a business merger. Thus, a prenuptial agreement became the first step of their future together.
Gabrielle Union is proud of the hard work she has put into her career. According to BET, she used modeling as a way to pay off her college loans from UCLA. Gabrielle's breakout role in film wasn't until 2000, when she co-starred in Bring It On. From there she went on to work with superstars like Will Smith and Tyler Perry. Most recently Gabrielle's work in television includes her time as co-host on America's Got Talent, and her role as Sydney Burnett on L.A.'s Finest. CheatSheet estimates that she is worth $20 million.
Last year Dwayne Wade retired from 16 seasons with the NBA. 14 of those years he spent with the Miami Heat. According to CNBC, his record includes 3 NBA Championships and 13 All-Star games. His number was retired, so it will probably only be a matter of time before he is inducted into the basketball hall of fame. Wade has earned approximately $200 million over his entire career, not counting his endorsements. Although Wade makes about 10 times more money than his wife, she was the one who insisted they sign a prenuptial agreement.
Gabrielle Union wanted to make it clear that her marriage to Dwayne Wade was not a career move. In a 2015 interview with Yahoo, she explained, "For women in Hollywood, when they’re coupling, everything is about the brand. Everything is about latching on to a rising star, so you can kick your heels up. That’s never been my story, ever." It is precisely because Dwayne Wade is a star athlete, that Gabrielle Union wanted to emphasize the fact that she was not teaming up with an NBA star to benefit from his success.
She explained further, "I want to make it clear that I have in no way hitched my wagon to his star. I have my own wagon and star." Gabrielle Union may earn less than her husband, but $20 million is certainly a salary worth protecting. Furthermore, Gabrielle wanted to affirm that her career is the result of her own hard work, and it continues to be that way now that she is married.
Dwayne Wade actually saw the prenup as a source of freedom within his relationship with Gabrielle Union. In an interview with People he said, "She doesn’t try to stop my growth or change who I am." Gabrielle's independence liberates Dwayne from any sense of competition with his wife.
Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade ironically strengthened their relationship by signing a prenuptial agreement. When Gabrielle made it clear that she wanted her success to be the result of her own efforts, Dwayne felt more secure that he could pursue his own goals. Now the couple is free to focus on raising a beautiful family together.
