Lauren Holiday is a 37-years-old retired American professional soccer player, sports analyst, and mental health advocate.
She gained fame as a key player for the United States women’s national soccer team for winning two Olympic gold medals and a FIFA Women’s World Cup title.
Who is Lauren Holiday?
Lauren Holiday is a former professional soccer player who made a big impact as a midfielder and forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team.
She played from 2007 until 2015, during this time, she known for her outstanding skill, creativity, and leadership on the field.
During her career, she helped the U.S. win gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, as well as the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her strong performances earned her a spot on the 2011 World Cup All-Star team.
At the club level, Holiday played for teams like FC Kansas City and the Boston Breakers. She earned awards like NWSL Player of the Month and league MVP, and was instrumental in FC Kansas City’s consecutive league championships in 2014 and 2015.
After retiring from playing, she stayed involved in soccer. In 2023, she was honored with induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the sport.
The NWSL also named an award after her to honor players who give back to their communities. Outside of playing, Holiday is active in philanthropy and soccer development.
She is part of the ownership group for the North Carolina Courage, working to help grow the team and support local community initiatives. Her passion for the game continues strong beyond her playing days.
Early Life of Lauren Holiday
Lauren Holiday was born on September 30, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana. She holds American nationality and her ethnicity is White.
She grew up in a family that loved sports, with her parents, Rita and George Cheney, who supports her from the beginning.
Lauren is the middle child in her family and has two siblings: a sister, Caitlin Cheney, and a brother, Aaron Cheney. As a kid, Lauren played soccer on boys’ teams until she was about 12 years old.
Lauren went to Ben Davis High School, where she quickly became one of the best soccer players around. She won lots of awards, including Metro Player of the Year in 2004 and Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006.
She was recognized as one of the top players in Indiana every year and earned national honors too. During high school, she scored 118 goals and helped set up 67 others.
Lauren was so serious about soccer that she graduated from high school early in 2006. This allowed her to spend more time training with the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team and get ready for big tournaments like the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Is Lauren Holiday White?
Yes, Lauren Holiday is white. She is of Caucasian ethnicity, born and raised in the United States. Her family background reflects this heritage, which is part of her American roots.
Lauren Holiday Age
Lauren Holiday is 37 years old as of 2024 because she came into the world on September 30, 1987, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. According to her birthday, she falls under the Libra zodiac sign.
Club Career and Achievements
Lauren Holiday began her professional soccer career in 2009 with the Pali Blues, a team in the USL W-League. She made an immediate impact by helping the team remain undefeated during the regular season.
The Pali Blues finished first in their conference and went on to win the league championship, with Holiday scoring key goals in the playoffs. This early success showed her talent and dedication to the game.
In 2010, Holiday was selected second overall in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) draft by the Boston Breakers.
She quickly became an important player for the Breakers, starting most of the games, scoring goals, and providing assists.
Her strong performances helped Boston reach the playoffs, and she earned a spot as a starter in the WPS All-Star Game. In the 2011 season, she emerged as a strong leader.
However, the league suspended operations shortly after. When the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) launched in 2013, Lauren was allocated to FC Kansas City, along with two other national team players.
She had an outstanding first season, scoring six goals in five games at one point and becoming the league’s top scorer. Her efforts earned her the Golden Boot as the league’s highest goal scorer and the MVP award.
She was a key player in FC Kansas City’s strong regular-season finish and helped lead the team to the playoffs. In 2014, Lauren continued to be a leader for Kansas City.
She provided the most assists for the team and scored important goals. In the playoffs, she helped her team win its first-ever NWSL championship, earning the MVP title for the final game.
The following year, 2015, was another successful season, as FC Kansas City repeated as champions.
Lauren retired after the 2015 season as the league’s all-time leader in both goals and assists. To honor her contributions, the club retired her jersey number 12, a rare and special tribute.
National Team Success and Life After Playing
Lauren Holiday’s international career began in 2007 when she made her first appearance for the United States women’s national team. She quickly became an important player, known for her ability to create scoring opportunities and score goals herself.
Holiday was part of the U.S. team that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, stepping in when a key player was injured. She continued to grow her role on the national team and was a starter at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
During that tournament, she scored two goals and made three assists, helping the U.S. reach the final. Her strong performance earned her a spot on the Women’s World Cup All-Star team.
Although the U.S. lost in the final to Japan, Holiday’s skill and determination stood out. At the 2012 London Olympics, Holiday played a major role in the team’s success, helping the U.S. win another gold medal.
She led the team in assists during qualifying and played in every Olympic game. Her leadership and experience made her a valuable player for the U.S. in major tournaments.
The highlight of her international career came in 2015 when she scored a goal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Her team defeated Japan 5-2, winning the World Cup.
Shortly after the tournament, Lauren announced her retirement from international soccer, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and leadership. Since retiring, Lauren Holiday has stayed active in the soccer community.
She is a mentor for young athletes and an advocate for women’s sports. She has worked as a soccer analyst on TV and radio. Lauren also supports charitable causes and promotes health and wellness.
What is Lauren Holiday Doing Now?
After retiring from professional soccer, Lauren Holiday has stayed very active in the world of women’s sports and community work.
In 2025, she and her husband, NBA star Jrue Holiday, became part owners of the women’s soccer team North Carolina Courage. Lauren helps the team with advice on training players, running the club, and building a strong connection with fans.
She loves supporting women’s soccer and helping it grow. Outside of soccer, Lauren is deeply involved in philanthropy alongside her husband, Jrue Holiday.
Together, they run the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund, which focuses on helping Black-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations across several U.S. cities.
Through this work, Lauren uses her platform to promote social change and empower communities. Her leadership, both in sports and in giving back, continues to inspire many.
Did Lauren Holiday Win a World Cup?
Yes, Lauren Holiday won the FIFA Women’s World Cup with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2015. She played a key role in the final match against Japan by scoring an important goal early in the game.
The U.S. went on to win the match 5–2, claiming their third World Cup title and their first since 1999. Holiday’s contributions throughout the tournament were vital to the team’s success.
Is Lauren Holiday Deaf?
Lauren Holiday is deaf in one ear. She has talked openly about it before. In 2016, she also had brain surgery to remove a non-dangerous tumor. The surgery affected her vision and caused some temporary face weakness, but she has recovered well.
Despite these health challenges, Lauren continues to live an active life and helps many people through her work in sports and charity. She is very strong and inspiring.
What Kind of Brain Tumor did Lauren Holiday Have?
Lauren Holiday was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor called a meningioma in June 2016, when she was six months pregnant. A meningioma is a tumor that grows in the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord.
Although it is usually not cancerous, it can cause problems if it presses on important areas of the brain. Lauren’s tumor was on the right side of her brain, close to her eye, which made the situation more serious.
She continued her pregnancy and gave birth to her daughter safely in September 2016. Soon after, in October, she had surgery to remove the tumor. The surgery went well, but recovery was hard.
After the operation, Lauren had temporary facial paralysis, meaning part of her face could not move. With time and therapy, she got better and fully recovered. Lauren’s journey was tough, but she stayed strong.
She has shared her story to help others who face health challenges. Her experience shows the importance of courage and support during hard times. Now, she is healthy and continues to inspire many people.
Lauren Holiday Eye
Lauren Holiday, the former U.S. women’s national soccer team star, faced a tough health challenge during her pregnancy in 2016 when she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor called a meningioma.
The tumor was located on the right side of her brain near her eye which causes numbness on one side of her face. Lauren decided to wait until after the birth of her daughter in September 2016 to undergo surgery for her brain tumor.
The operation was successfully performed in October 2016 at Duke University Hospital. After the surgery, Lauren shared a heartfelt message about her recovery and the strength she found through motherhood.
Today, Lauren remains an inspiring figure, known for her resilience and dedication to family and community. She stays involved in soccer as an advisor and ambassador for the North Carolina Courage.
Lauren Holiday Net Worth
Lauren Holiday has an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2025. She makes money in several ways today. She is part owner of the North Carolina Courage, a professional women’s soccer team.
Alongside her husband Jrue Holiday, she helps guide the team’s decisions and community work. This ownership role brings her income and lets her support women’s soccer.
Besides that, Lauren is a popular speaker. She shares her story and lessons on leadership and resilience at events.
Many organizations invite her to speak, and she earns money through these appearances. This work helps her inspire others while building her career after soccer.
Lauren Holiday Husband and Children
Lauren Holiday is married to Jrue Holiday, a well-known NBA point guard. They first crossed paths back in 2008 while both were students at UCLA, Lauren playing soccer and Jrue on the basketball team.
Their friendship soon blossomed into a romantic relationship around 2009, shortly after Jrue was drafted into the NBA.
The couple tied the knot on July 7, 2013, at a beautiful ceremony held at Cypress Sea Cove in Malibu, California.
Their wedding was intimate and heartfelt, featuring a coastal theme that perfectly captured their personalities. The celebration included soft, neutral-toned flowers and a charming lemonade stand.
Jrue Holiday is widely recognized for his exceptional skills as a tenacious point guard in basketball. Beyond the court, he is deeply committed to philanthropy and social justice, actively supporting many causes alongside his wife, Lauren.
His career has spanned multiple NBA teams, earning him respect for his all-around game and leadership. Lauren and Jrue are proud parents of two children.
Their daughter, Jrue Tyler Holiday, was born in September 2016 during a difficult time when Lauren was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, which was successfully removed soon after her daughter’s birth.
In 2020, they welcomed their son, Hendrix Holiday. Together, Lauren and Jrue maintain a strong partnership, balancing family, professional sports, and community work with grace and dedication.
Lauren Holiday Height and Weight
Lauren Holiday is about 5 feet 8 inches which is equal to 172 centimeter or 1.72 meters tall and weighed around 70 kilograms or 154 pounds during her playing career.
Her height and fitness helped her perform well as both a midfielder and forward on the soccer field. She has naturally curly brown hair and warm brown eyes, often seen with a confident smile that reflects her positive attitude.
Her appearance matches her energetic and determined personality. Lauren’s athletic physique was built through years of training and hard work, contributing to her speed, agility, and strength during games.
Social Media Presence
Lauren Holiday stays connected with her fans mainly through Instagram and X, where she shares glimpses of her family life, personal moments, and her work in philanthropy.
She often highlights her involvement with the Jrue & Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund, which supports Black-owned businesses and community causes.
Bottom Line
In the Bottom line, Lauren Holiday’s story is one of determination, strength, and grace. She has overcome obstacles and achieved greatness both in her career and personal life.
Her commitment to family, community, and perseverance serves as a shining example of how passion and resilience can lead to a meaningful and inspiring life.
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