Gloria James: A Resilient Mother, A Champion in Every Stride

Gloria James, the proud matriarch often celebrated as the “Mother of the King,” and adorned with a “Queen James” tattoo, is more than a symbol of familial pride; she is the unsung hero in the extraordinary life of NBA legend LeBron James.

In a humble and heartfelt Q&A session with students from LeBron’s I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, Gloria revealed her down-to-earth nature. “I’m very simple and down to earth,” she shared, extending an open invitation for support. “So if you ever need a shoulder to cry on, an ear to speak into, a hug, anything. We’re a big happy family.”

A single mother to LeBron, Gloria stands as a steadfast fixture in both his personal and professional life, often seen passionately cheering him on at games and events. LeBron, recognizing the profound impact of his mother’s influence, attributes much of his success to her unwavering support.

In a candid conversation with Maria Shriver for Today in 2014, LeBron reflected on his upbringing, stating, “I don’t know if she read about it, or she just heard about it, but from day one, I always had that mother and father inside my mother, so I never was a kid that was kind of like, ‘Where is my father?'”

LeBron expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging the strength Gloria instilled in him. “She gave me strength to a point where I never even had to think about that, and I have no idea where she got it from. To this day I still won’t even ask her, but she’s definitely the champion.”

She had LeBron when she was 16 and raised him alone

Gloria James, born in Akron, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 1968, faced the challenges of young motherhood, welcoming LeBron at the age of 16. His biological father was absent from his life, and after the passing of Gloria’s mother, LeBron’s grandmother, Gloria shouldered the responsibility of raising him largely on her own.

Their journey was marked by hardships, moving seven times by the time LeBron was 5 years old, and facing financial struggles that led to temporary separation when LeBron was sent to live with a foster family during a challenging period in the fourth grade.

LeBron, reflecting on the unique challenges faced by a single mother, emphasized the absence of a fatherly influence. Despite these obstacles, Gloria persevered, demonstrating a resilience that shaped LeBron’s character and paved the way for his remarkable journey.

“Just how much responsibility that comes with being a single mom every single day, you don’t have that other half or that helping male influence in the house that can — especially in my case, being a son — that can give you that fatherly love or that fatherly guidance,’ ” LeBron told Shriver. “My mother figured [that] out.”

In every stride of LeBron James’ extraordinary career, the quiet strength and enduring love of Gloria James serve as a testament to the power of maternal influence and the indomitable spirit of a mother determined to see her son succeed against all odds.

She didn’t push LeBron to become an NBA star

Gloria James, ever the devoted mother and enthusiastic fan, played a pivotal role in LeBron James’ journey to stardom. Despite being LeBron’s biggest cheerleader, she maintained a stance of support rather than pushing him toward a predetermined path.

In a 2001 New York Times profile when LeBron was a 16-year-old junior in high school, Gloria was characterized as an “enthusiastic fan” who took pride in her son’s accomplishments. However, she made it clear that she wouldn’t exert pressure on LeBron to become an NBA star. Her primary concern was his happiness, and she expressed a desire to see him graduate from high school with his class.

“What I want for LeBron is his happiness. He loves basketball,” she stated. “But I would like to see him graduate with his class from high school, at least. But we’ll make a decision when the time comes.”

Gloria emphasized LeBron’s character, describing him as a well-behaved and polite young man who never gave her any trouble. Her nurturing approach allowed LeBron to pursue his passion for basketball without the weight of unrealistic expectations.

An SUV she gifted LeBron came under scrutiny

However, Gloria’s gesture of gifting LeBron a Hummer for his 18th birthday in 2002 brought scrutiny. The lavish gift, equipped with TVs and gaming hook-ups, triggered an investigation due to LeBron and Gloria residing in public housing at the time. The Ohio High School Athletic Association’s rules posed a potential threat to LeBron’s amateur status.

While Gloria claimed to have financed the Hummer through a $50,000 auto loan, questions arose about the legitimacy of the gift. After a two-week investigation, the Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner cleared LeBron of any wrongdoing, affirming that the gift was genuine.

Through it all, Gloria James remained a supportive force in her son’s life, navigating challenges and controversies with the same resilience that defined their journey together.

She helps run the LeBron James Family Foundation

Gloria James, beyond her role as a devoted mother, is actively involved in philanthropy as the vice president of the LeBron James Family Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to providing resources and support to children in need in the Akron, Ohio, area, where LeBron spent his formative years. A significant achievement of the foundation is the establishment of the I Promise School, a public school in Akron catering to at-risk children.

LeBron attributes the existence of the I Promise School to Gloria’s unwavering dedication to providing him with a good life during their challenging times. In a heartfelt tribute video dedicated to Gloria in April 2020, LeBron expressed, “Without my mother, and the way she raised me, there is no school. There is no IPS without Gloria James. She gave me the tools. She gave me the blueprint. She gave me the life skills, so when it was time for me to put something like this together, along with our team, I just went back to everything that my mom taught me.”

She’s a grandmother

In addition to her philanthropic endeavors, Gloria is a loving grandmother to LeBron and Savannah James’ three children: LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., Bryce Maximus, and Zhuri Nova. She actively participates in her grandchildren’s lives, attending their basketball games and celebrating their achievements.

Sharing moments of joy with her grandsons, Gloria often expresses pride and love for their growth on and off the court. In an April 2022 Instagram post, she shared her admiration for Bronny and Bryce, stating, “I cherish every moment of watching my grand boys grow into young men on and off the court. I’m so proud and I love you both very much @bronny @_justbryce!! ️”

Gloria’s close relationship with Zhuri is also evident through heartwarming moments captured during family trips to Universal Studios and Disneyland. In January 2024, LeBron shared a touching moment with Gloria while watching Bronny play in a USC basketball game, emphasizing the present and blessed feeling of sharing such moments with his mother.

Gloria James continues to be a pillar of strength, not only within her family but also as a beacon of hope and support for the community through the LeBron James Family Foundation.

LeBron Expresses Missing Someone Special the Most During Quarantine

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing became a norm, LeBron James faced a unique struggle—being away from his beloved mother, Gloria. In a July 2020 press conference, LeBron candidly expressed the difficulty of enduring a prolonged separation from Gloria, citing it as the only thing he truly missed.

“It’s the first time in my life that I went that long without seeing my mom,” LeBron shared. The separation became pronounced during the quarantine portion of the pandemic, and LeBron revealed that he hadn’t seen Gloria since All-Star weekend. Her absence weighed heavily on him, emphasizing the deep and enduring bond between mother and son.

Despite the physical distance, Gloria’s positive attitude served as a source of strength for LeBron during the challenging period. According to LeBron, Gloria reassured him that they would reunite “in due time,” providing a comforting perspective amid the uncertainties of the pandemic.

She was the first person LeBron called after winning the 2020 NBA Championships

The pinnacle of their emotional connection was evident when LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers secured the NBA Championship in October 2020, marking LeBron’s fourth title. As the euphoria of victory engulfed him, LeBron made an immediate FaceTime call to Gloria to share the triumphant moment.

A video capturing the heartfelt exchange shows LeBron sitting on the floor, expressing profound gratitude and acknowledging the challenges Gloria has faced. “Everything that you have been through, everything that I’ve seen, it’s nothing that can stop me, ’cause this s— right here, this is nothing compared to the s— you had to go through,” he declared. “God is good, God is great. I hope I continue to make you proud, Mom.”

In this tale of separation and celebration, LeBron’s connection with Gloria transcends the basketball court, highlighting the enduring influence of a mother’s love and support on the journey of an NBA superstar.