Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers star, has separated from his fiancée, Anamaria Goltes. He is also reportedly engaged in a custody battle over their two daughters, according to sources.
Dončić’s Statement and Custody Dispute
Dončić issued a statement saying, “I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement.” He added, “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
Sources indicate that Goltes filed a petition in California seeking child support and attorney fees from Dončić. Dončić reportedly had “no idea” Goltes had filed the petition. Sources familiar with Dončić’s situation told ESPN that the petition was filed in California, where one of Dončić’s daughters was with him for only three months last spring, and his other daughter has never been to the state.
Sources close to Dončić stated that he has “always provided for his family” and covers his daughters’ expenses “without limitation”.
Timeline of Relationship and Children
Dončić, 27, proposed to Goltes in July 2023. The pair had known each other since their youth and started dating in 2016. Goltes is a fashion and fitness model.
Their first daughter, Gabriela, was born in November 2023 in the United States while Dončić was a member of the Dallas Mavericks. Months after he was traded to the Lakers, their second child, Olivia, was born in December in Slovenia.
Disagreement in Slovenia and Police Involvement
Earlier this season, Dončić travelled to Slovenia for the birth of Olivia, causing him to miss games against the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics on December 4 and 5. During this visit, he wanted to bring Gabriela back to the United States with him when he returned to join the team in Philadelphia to play the 76ers on December 7.
A disagreement with Goltes ensued, and she called the police after Dončić left the hospital. Police interviewed Goltes and Dončić, and the police report stated that officers “did not detect any elements of a criminal offense or misdemeanor” perpetrated by Dončić.
Dončić flew back to the States later that day and, according to sources, has not seen his daughters or Goltes since.
After the Sixers game, when asked about the trip to Slovenia, Dončić said: “I don’t even know how to describe it. It was a lot. I was there for the birth of my daughter, so that means everything to me. But it was definitely a roller coaster.”
Social Media Activity
Goltes deleted all photos of her and Dončić from her Instagram account last week. This action led to online speculation about the status of the couple.
Dončić signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers in August.