Biography

Where Is Habiba Abdul Jabbar, The Ex-Wife Of Kareem Abdul Jabbar?

By Samikshya Bhattarai | Updated on October 28, 2022
Facts reviewed by Editor at Celebrity Digest
Table of Contents

    Habiba Abdul Jabbar is a fashion designer and the ex-wife of former American professional basketball player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Her ex-husband spent the majority of his NBA career playing for two popular teams Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. During his time as a player, Kareem also became NBA All-Star 19 times and an All-NBA Team member 15 times.

    Habiba was married to Kareem for around 7 years and they were also parents to three kids. Despite their initial bonding, their marital relationship later took a bad turn and they separated in 1978. What was the reason behind their separation? And what about Habiba’s relationship status after her divorce from her ex-husband?

    Besides, did you know during the marriage of Habiba and Kareem, Habiba’s parents were denied entering the mosque? Well, here are several other unknown facts about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s first wife.

    Habiba Abdul Jabbar Early Life: Her Family And Ethnicity

    Habiba was born Janice Brown in October 1947. She is 75 years old as of 2022. Habiba belongs to mixed ethnicity and her nationality is American.

    Ex Mrs. Jabbar is yet to reveal her early details and her childhood information so both of them are out of the radar. Though what is known is that her parents belong to Christian Community and Habiba also followed Christianity in her past days before changing to Islam during her marriage to her ex-husband, Kareem.

    Habiba also changed her name from Janice to Habiba following her relationship with Kareem. Besides, speaking of Habiba’s education, the ex-celebrity spouse went to California State University, Los Angeles.

    All About Habiba Abdul Jabbar And Her Husband Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Marriage

    Habiba and her ex-husband Kareem met during their college days when her husband was a senior at the University of California, LA. The two then began dating and were in a relationship for a couple of years before their wedding.

    As for their nuptial, the ex-couple exchanged their vows on May 28, 1971, in Washington, D.C. The marriage was under Muslim custom as Kareem belongs to the Muslim community. Sadly, Habiba’s parents weren’t allowed to enter the mosque.

    Habiba Abdul-Jabbar husband Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    Habiba with her ex-hubby attending an event.

    As her parents traveled from New York just to attend their only child’s marriage they were not permitted to attend her wedding because they were Christian. It also arose some issues in Habiba and Kareem’s relationship but later things cooled down.

    Kareem himself didn’t know the mosque protocol and the player apparently felt bad that he couldn’t get his in-laws into the mosque.

    Later every time Kareem was on National Television, he would address Habiba’s parents by saying, “Hi to Moms and Pops in New York.”

    Habiba Separated From Her Then-Husband Kareem After Seven Years of Marriage

    Despite their seven years of a long marriage, the couple chose to separate. There were two reasons for their divorce, first Kareem’s migraines, and the news of his affair with Cheryl Pistono.

    Ex-NBA star, Kareem's former girlfriend, Cheryl Pistono.
    Former LA Lakers player, Kareem’s ex-partner, Cheryl Pistono. From Twitter

    The reason behind his migraines was Kareem’s six relatives’ death including his one friend. All the dead victims were the members of Hanafi group. As per the reports, they were murdered by rival Black Muslims in Washington D.C.

    Kareem’s ex-girlfriend Cheryl Pistono with whom he was allegedly having an affair since 1973 also led him to divorce Habiba. Habiba and Kareem separated paths on October 11, 1978.

    Does Habiba Share Any Children With Kareem Abdul-Jabar?

    When together, Habiba and Kareem became parents to one child. The former duo’s eldest child was born in 1972 whose name is Habiba Alcindor.

    Habiba, second from left, with her kids and ex-husband, Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
    Habiba Adbul Jabbar, second from left, with her ex-husband, Kareem, and kids

    Some years after having their first kid, Kareem and Habiba separated. Interestingly, the couple went on to have two more kids despite that. Nonetheless, after four years of their first child, Habiba gave birth to her second son in 1976 named, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Jr. And at the last, they welcomed their third child a daughter in 1979, named Sultana Abdul-Jabar.

    All these kids were raised by Habiba herself.

    What Is Habiba Abdul Jabbar Doing Now? Her Career

    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s ex-wife Habiba Abdul-Jabbar apparently is now the owner and a designer at Tutu Glam.

    Before becoming a fashion designer, Jabbar had worked as an event planner in various Non-Profit Organizations. She worked as an event planner for around 18 years from Feb 1993 to Nov 2011.

    She also kept herself busy by working at Vista Del Mar as a Transracial Adoption Specialist from Feb 2008 to Oct 2012.

    Habiba Abdul Jabbar Ex-Husband Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Kareem Abdul Jabbar is one of the greatest players in the NBA championship. The former player who started his career in 1969 was born on April 16, 1947, in New York, U.S. As of 2022, Habiba is 75 years old.

    He also worked as an assistant coach for many teams like Alchesay HS (assistant), Los Angeles Clippers (assistant), and so on.

    Habiba's ex-husband and former NBA player, Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
    American professional basketball player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    During Kareem’s college time, Jabbar was named the game’s best player. He made the record of winning 71 times continuously while he was in high school.

    After being famed by NBA players, Kareem has also been in a lot of magazines and newspapers such as The Hollywood Reporter, TIME magazine, and the Washington Post, several times.

    Did Habiba Remarry After Her Divorce From Kareem? Where Is She Now?

    After separating from the former basketball player, Habiba got married to Mr. Herbert. While her second spouse’s personal life is still under the radar, it has been reported that she shares a child with him named Sean Herbert.

    As for her current whereabouts, the former wife of Abdul Jabbar is said to be living in View Park, Los Angeles, California.

    Net Worth Of Habiba Abdul Jabbar

    Although being a fashion designer, her exact worth is not available. But as per some reports, her fortune is somewhere between $500,000 to $1 million.

    On the other hand, her ex-spouse Kareem is a multi-millionaire with a net worth of $20 million.

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