NBA icon Don Nelson has died at 86. The family of the five-time champion and legendary coach confirmed the news.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleNBA Hall of Famer Don Nelson has bid farewell to the world at 86. His family confirmed the news on August 9, 2026. Most fans remember Don for his championship-winning career. Others recall the records he set as a coach. But the people closest to him know that he was a dedicated husband and a father. So, let us know about the woman in his life, Joy Nelson.
Joy Wolfgram, better known as Joy Nelson, was the wife of Don Nelson. The NBA legend spent decades in the spotlight, she mostly stayed out of the public eye. They tied the knot on June 19, 1991, in an unusual ceremony held at the Oakland Coliseum. At that time, Nelson was coaching the Golden State Warriors. Eventually, the couple remained married for 35 years, one of the most enduring relationships in the NBA.
According to people close to the family, Joy was a constant source of support throughout Don's career. She stood by him during the difficult NBA seasons, major career changes, and personal health issues. In fact, Joy was also by his side when he dealt with prostate cancer in 2000.
After Don stepped away from coaching, they moved to Maui, Hawaii. There, the couple lived a quiet life away from the intense world of sports. So, they spent most of their time managing their property, spending time with their family, and enjoying the close-knit community. Some friends also called Joy Don's "rock," who gave him stability during turbulent times in life.
Don and Joy did not have any children together. But they made a big blended family that became an important part of their lives. Before marrying Joy, Don was married to Sharon Strombeck from 1960 to 1989. In turn, they welcomed four children, Julie, Donnie, Chris, and Katie. In fact, Donnie followed in his father's footsteps and had a successful career as an NBA executive.
At the same time, Joy brought two sons into their marriage, Bryan and Scott Wolfgram. So, Don and Joy looked after their blended family and remained closely in the lives of their kids, grandkids, and great-kids.
Later in 1997, their family grew after a woman named Lee McBride contacted Don Nelson. She revealed that she was his biological daghter, whom he did not know about. Therefore, Don and Joy both welcomed her into the family and strengthened their bonds.
Don Nelson's family has announced that he died on August 9, 2026. They shared a statement and mentioned that he passed away peacefully in the presence of his family members. In fact, his family ensured that he spent his final days sharing memories and celebrating life. In their words:
"On Sunday morning, our beloved husband, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family."
The Nelson family also mentioned that their friends and relatives gathered around him throughout his last week. However, they have not shared an official cause of his death for now. For those unaware, Don won five NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. He also became a successful coach with 1335 wins. During that time, he worked with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks.
Rest in peace, Don Nelson.
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