Larry Bird, the legendary Boston Celtics forward, was instrumental in the team’s success during the 1980s, leading them to three NBA championships. While his on-court achievements are well-documented, Bird considers his biggest mistake to be off the court—getting married at the young age of 19.
As a youngster, Bird believed divorce was something to be avoided at all costs. However, shortly after marrying his first wife, Janet Condra, Bird found himself facing the very situation he feared. The marriage ended within a year, and Bird described it as his “biggest mistake,” a decision that left lasting emotional scars, especially when he learned Condra was pregnant post-divorce. “Getting married was the worst mistake I ever made. Everything that ever happened to me I’ve learned from it, but I’m still scarred by that. That scarred me for life,” Bird admitted. This experience, along with financial struggles, profoundly shaped Bird’s outlook and determination.
Following his divorce, Bird channeled his energy into his basketball career, emerging as one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. In 1989, he decided to give marriage another try, this time with his longtime girlfriend, Dinah Mattingly. Their wedding was a modest affair with only five guests, held at a friend’s house near Terre Haute, Indiana. Embracing a casual style, both Bird and Mattingly wore stonewashed jeans for the ceremony, highlighting the simple and personal nature of the event.
Despite the joy of his second marriage, Bird was haunted by the memories of his first. He frequently experienced nightmares about his failed marriage, where he dreamt of being caught between his past and present lives. “The bad dream… I still have it sometimes,” Bird confessed. “My wife is trying to get me to come back to her, but Dinah is there, too, and I keep saying to Dinah, ‘I don’t want to go with her, I don’t want to go.'”
Nonetheless, Bird found lasting happiness with Dinah Mattingly. The couple has been together for 34 years and has adopted two children, Conner and Mariah. Through perseverance and dedication, Bird not only overcame his early personal struggles but also established a loving family, finding redemption and enduring love in his second marriage.
