Julian Edelman, the celebrated former New England Patriots wide receiver, has had a public life marked by athletic prowess and a notable romantic history. From high school flings to high-profile relationships with international models, Edelman’s love life has often garnered media attention, reflecting different phases of his career and personal growth. His journey through relationships showcases a blend of private moments and public scrutiny, culminating in his role as a dedicated father.
One of Edelman's earliest publicly known relationships dates back to his high school years with Jaqui Rice, the daughter of legendary NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice. They dated in the early 2000s, having known each other since childhood. Jaqui confirmed in 2019 that they were more than just prom dates, attending several school dances together. Edelman himself has humorously recounted his intimidation by Jerry Rice during this period, describing Rice as "terrified" of his girlfriend's famous father. Despite the unique circumstances, their relationship was a typical teenage romance that concluded after high school, with Jaqui stating they remained good friends.
Years later, Edelman entered a casual relationship with Swedish model Ella Rose. Their on-again, off-again connection spanned from approximately 2014 to 2015. This period became significant when Rose filed a paternity suit against Edelman in July 2016, claiming he was the father of her unborn child. Despite initial reports of Edelman contesting paternity, he later publicly acknowledged his daughter. Lily Edelman was born on November 30, 2016, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Edelman flew to be present for her birth and shared a heartwarming photo on Instagram a week later, embracing his new role as a father. While they were never in a formal relationship, Edelman and Rose have successfully co-parented Lily, frequently sharing glimpses of their daughter on social media and attending events together as a family.
Following the news of Lily's impending arrival, Edelman's love life continued to make headlines. He began dating Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima in the summer of 2016. Their relationship quickly became public, with Lima often seen supporting Edelman at Patriots games, including the AFC Championship where she wore a hat with his jersey number. She was also present at Super Bowl LI in February 2017, where Edelman made a miraculous catch, contributing to the Patriots' historic comeback victory. Despite their high-profile status, the couple reportedly kept their relationship low-key.
However, the relationship between Edelman and Lima was relatively short-lived. They split in March 2017, just weeks after the Super Bowl. Reports indicated that a primary reason for their breakup was Lima's desire to have more children, while Edelman, having just welcomed Lily, was not ready for that step. Distance was also cited as a factor, with Lima residing in Miami and Edelman in Boston. Despite the split, they were seen together at Rihanna's Met Gala afterparty in May 2017, sparking brief reconciliation rumors, though nothing materialized.
In the years following his relationship with Lima, Edelman's romantic life has remained largely private, with occasional rumors surfacing. He was reportedly linked to Brazilian model Bruna Sodre around 2018, with some reports suggesting they dated for several years, though no official confirmation or significant public appearances were made. Social media interactions between them occasionally fueled speculation, but the nature and duration of their connection remained largely unconfirmed by either party.
More recently, in February 2024, rumors circulated linking Edelman to Colombian superstar Shakira. A British tabloid reported on the alleged romance after a photo surfaced of Edelman attending Shakira's 47th birthday party. While the reports suggested a new "NFL power couple" following the Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift phenomenon, these claims were largely based on a single photo and anonymous sources, with no official confirmation from either Edelman or Shakira. The rumors quickly spread but lacked concrete evidence of a developing relationship.
Julian Edelman's romantic journey reflects a transition from early, formative experiences to more public relationships during his NFL career, and ultimately, to his significant role as a father. While he has maintained a degree of privacy, his high-profile status has meant that aspects of his love life have inevitably become public knowledge. His current relationship status remains largely private, with his primary focus appearing to be his daughter, Lily, and his post-NFL ventures.