Photo: Kayla Varner Instagram
He started his career with the Washington Nationals after being the No. 1 pick in the 2010 MLB draft. In the years since, Bryce has been named the National League Rookie of the Year and the National League Most Valuable Player twice. In 2019, he signed a record-breaking $330-million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The outfielder attributes his success both on and off the field to the support of his wife and family.
“I have an amazing family, I have an amazing wife, two beautiful kids that keep me very humbled and grounded,” Brycetold a Los Angeles radio stationin 2022. “When I leave the field, it’s all about them.”
He continued, “My wife takes care of the kids at home. She does a great job at that. She supports me each night, goes to every single game she can … I’m humbled to have a wife and a family like that.”
So, who is Bryce Harper’s better half? Here’s everything to know about Kayla Harper.
She and Bryce are high school sweethearts
Ethan Miller/Getty
She’s a former high school and college athlete
Kayla Varner Instagram
Bryce may have appeared on the cover ofSports Illustratedas a high school freshman — but Kayla was a decorated athlete in her own right, as well. As a soccer player at Green Valley High School, Kayla was the team MVP from 2009 to 2011. By the time she graduated high school in 2011, she held the Nevada state record for career assists, had led her team to a state championship title and was a national All-American.
While Bryce was beginning his MLB career, Kaylacontinued her soccer careerat Brigham Young University for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. She transferred to Ohio State University for her junior year,playing soccer thereuntil her graduation in 2015.
She and Bryce once ended their engagement
Jeff Kravitz/AMA2016/FilmMagic
The MLB pro first popped the question to Kayla in 2014, when she was still attending Ohio State, theWashington Postreported. They made their first public appearance as an engaged couple at the Washington Nationals' annual Dream Gala fundraiser in June 2014, with Bryce’s teammate Gio Gonzalez calling the engagement a “blessing.”
Their wedding was due to take place in January 2015 — but the nuptials never happened. Signs of their breakup first appeared on social media, with both Bryce and Kayla unfollowing each other on Twitter and removing mention of the other from their Instagram bios,according to theWashington Post.
“ESPYS last night with my love. So proud of you, B! Oh and WERE ENGAGED… Again 💍✨ #TheSequel,” shewrote on Instagram.
She married Bryce in 2016
Their second engagement was a quick one, and Bryce and Kayla were married six months later on Dec. 16, 2016. As practicing Mormons, they first had their marriage sealed in the San Diego Church of Latter-day Saints Temple.
“Religion was obviously the most important part of our marriage,” KaylatoldThe Knot. “The temple marriage is very sacred … it was really nice to just enjoy that with our immediate family.”
Though the ceremony was private, the reception — held at San Diego’s Polo Fields, where Kayla played soccer as a child — had 270 guests in attendance. To house the large reception, Bryce and Kayla had a barn built specifically for their nuptials. It was filled with nods to their athletic backgrounds, including a vintage baseball scoreboard and inscribed soccer ball as part of the décor. Other personal touches included Bryce’s tuxedo jacket being lined with their engagement photos and a food menu that paid tribute to their first date at a Mexican restaurant.
“Our wedding day was a dream ✨We are so lucky to have such amazing family and friends who came to support us,” Kaylawrote about their big dayon Instagram.
She and Bryce have two children (and one on the way!)
Kay Harper Instagram
The Harper family is growing!
In March 2024, the coupleannounced their third pregnancyon Instagram. “3 for 3,” they wrote alongside images from a family photoshoot on the beach.
She and Bryce share a dog
She sticks up for her family
Rob Carr/Getty
As an MLB wife, Kayla knows thatheckling is part of the game— but she proved she’s not afraid to take a stand when fans take it too far.
In September 2019, Bryce and the Phillies traveled to play against his former team, the Washington Nationals. The Nationals fans had plenty of smack talk for Bryce, including mentioning his then 4-week-old son Krew.Kayla slammed the hecklersfollowing the game, defending her husband and young son.
“When you bring his son or family into it, yes you’re crossing a line,” Kayla wrote in a tweet. “Stick to your overused overrated and Harper sucks chants if you’re really that loser that goes to a game to heckle someone. Phillies fans might boo him but they don’t bring his 4 week old son into it. Classless.”
She’s Bryce’s biggest fan, both on and off the field
Kayla frequents Bryce’s games with their two small children in tow and often posts photos on Instagram of them cheering on their favorite Phillie. After Bryce was named the National League MVP for the second time in 2021,Kayla wrote a touching tributeto her accomplished husband on Instagram.
“I’m so dang proud of you! I’ve been present to watch you do some amazing things in your career, but this season has been my favorite to share with you so far,” Kayla shared. “Thank you for being so fun to watch on the field and so present with our family off the field. Congrats babe, you are so deserving!”
In October 2023, Kayla was in the stands to see thePhillies beat the Atlanta Bravesand advance to the National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
source: people.com
