While Marcus Jordan grapples with his recent arrest, his ex-girlfriend Larsa Pippen justified their controversial relationship.
As Marcus Jordan made headlines for his arrest, his previous relationship with Larsa Pippen has begun to make the rounds again. The son of basketball legend Michael Jordan was in an on-and-off relationship with Larsa, who was the ex-wife of Jordan Sr.’s teammate, Scottie Pippen.
The couple was criticized for their wide age gap and the connection they had prior to their relationship. While they broke up in 2024, Larsa Pippen defended their relationship in an interview with Tamron Hall, claiming that she had it difficult as the ex-wife of a pro athlete and did not worry about how their relationship would be perceived.
Larsa Pippen defended her previous relationship with Marcus Jordan after divorcing Scottie Pippen
Larsa Pippen was married to NBA legend Scottie Pippen for almost twenty-five years until their divorce was finalized in 2021 (via Us Weekly). The couple got married in 1997 and shared three children. After her divorce from Pippen, Larsa made headlines when she began dating the son of his teammate Michael Jordan i.e. Marcus Jordan.
The couple was seen at various events together but were also noted for their on-and-off relationship. Michael Jordan reportedly did not approve of their relationship and the sixteen-year age gap between the two was extremely controversial. However, none of those reasons were reportedly why they broke up in 2024 (via PageSix).
Marcus Jordan and Larsa Pippen in The Traitors
Still, when they were together, Larsa Pippen defended her relationship with Marcus Jordan despite the connections with Scottie Pippen, who reportedly did not have a good relationship with Michael Jordan. She said to Tamron Hall,
I didn’t plan it like that…I think we were just together a lot with our friends and it just happened. It wasn’t like something I planned…I feel like for me, being you know, married to someone that was an athlete or whatever it’s really hard.
You get scrutinized a lot. People don’t think you should have a life once you get divorced. They think…once you’re divorced you’re like done. And I feel like I’ve overcome so many different obstacles because I feel like I should have love.
Pippen mentioned that she felt that she should not have to be judged for trying to find love, no matter who he was, just because she divorced a celebrity athlete.
Larsa Pippen revealed why she and Marcus Jordan broke up
Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan take a picture together
Despite all obstacles, Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan made several public appearances together before their breakup. They participated in the reality TV show The Traitors and also appeared together in many events. However, the couple soon broke up for good in 2024 after first hinting at a split early in the year.
Pippen told PageSix that she reevaluated her relationship when she was shooting for a reality show and realized that she was happier being alone than with Jordan. Months after their breakup, she told People,
I sleep like a baby and I feel like single life should be appreciated more…I already feel full from my last relationship. I need to just focus on other things at this point. I am working, I am enjoying my family time. I’m good…I think it’s off. I mean, it’s off. It is off. I feel like I’m good. I’m good.
Marcus Jordan on the other hand seemed to be a lot more aggressive about the split and even reportedly replied to a fan comment about their breakup, saying that he sent Larsa Pippen ‘back to where she belonged’ with a street emoji (via PageSix).
