If you’ve ever tuned into a Golden State Warriors playoff game and noticed a poised, stylish woman courtside cheering on Steph Curry and the squad—chances are you were looking at Nicole Curran, the wife of Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob. She may not be a household name for casual NBA fans, but make no mistake—Nicole has a story worth knowing. From humble beginnings to now sitting courtside during NBA Finals, her journey is anything but ordinary.
Let’s dive into the life of the 52-year-old powerhouse who’s not just Joe Lacob’s wife—but a force in philanthropy, education, and business.
From a Tough Childhood to the Top of the NBA World
Nicole Curran’s story starts in Washington, D.C., where she faced more obstacles before her teenage years than many face in a lifetime. Her parents divorced when she was just four, and she and her mother, Barbara Levac, moved frequently, scraping by as Barbara juggled multiple jobs as a legal assistant. When Nicole was 13, things got even harder. One of the apartments they moved into didn’t allow children—so her mother made the heartbreaking decision to send her to Milton Hershey School, a boarding school for orphans in Pennsylvania.
Imagine that—being dropped off at a school for orphans at 13. Nicole once said, “Could you imagine being a 13-year-old girl and being dropped off?” It’s a moment that shaped her.
While at the school, she worked on a dairy farm, milking cows near Hershey’s famous chocolate factory. Even now, the scent of chocolate takes her back to those days. She also worked weekends at ice cream parlors and salons while modeling on the side to save up for college.
Eventually, after a year of working, Nicole earned a scholarship to George Washington University, thanks to an anonymous donor—a mystery she still reflects on with gratitude.
Her Early Career: Teacher Turned Wine Industry Pro
After college, Nicole began her career as a public school teacher, earning just $23,500 a year while working 80 hours a week. Teaching was a passion, but it wasn’t sustainable long-term. After marrying a doctor, she moved to Arizona, where she continued working in education until making a major career pivot into the wine industry.
That move changed everything.
She began working for La Jota and eventually climbed the ladder to LVMH, the luxury conglomerate known for high-end wines and spirits. It was during this chapter of her life that she met Joe Lacob—in a way that feels almost like a movie.
How She Met Joe Lacob
The year was 2006, and Nicole was attending a golf tournament at Pebble Beach when she crossed paths with Joe Lacob—four years before he’d become the majority owner of the Warriors.
Joe, clearly smitten, used what Nicole calls a “strange” pickup line:
“Oh, you’re in the wine business? I have this favorite wine, but I can’t remember what it is. Can you give me your email because I want to hear what you have to say about it when I figure it out?”
It worked. The two hit it off, and wine—specifically, a 1982 Bordeaux—became a symbol of their early relationship. Nicole even recalls bringing a new bottle from that vintage to their dates. Love, it turns out, was aged to perfection.
Married Life and Blended Family
Today, Nicole and Joe are one of the NBA’s most prominent power couples. While Nicole doesn’t have children of her own, Joe has four kids—Kirk, Kelly, Kent, and Kayci—from a previous marriage to Laurie Lacob. Kirk is deeply involved in the Warriors’ front office, showing just how much the family dynamic and business world intersect.
As a couple, Joe and Nicole have found common ground in philanthropy and education. Nicole took a leadership role in the Warriors Community Foundation, which focuses on elementary literacy, STEM programs, and college access for underprivileged kids. Under her guidance, the foundation has generated over $24 million in community impact.
“I personally went to 25 grant applicants, met with kids, evaluated their programs—right there with winning, it’s one of the most valuable things I’ve ever done,” Nicole said.
That Beyoncé Moment (You Know the One)
Of course, Nicole’s name made unexpected headlines during the 2019 NBA Finals, when a brief courtside exchange with Jay-Z went viral. Beyoncé, seated between them, gave what looked like a side-eye that sent the internet into a frenzy. Nicole later clarified she was simply asking if Jay-Z wanted a lime in his drink.
The incident blew up far more than it should’ve, and the backlash was so intense that Nicole disabled her social media for a while. “It was rough,” she admitted—but like everything else in her life, she handled it with class and moved forward.
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