Siohvaughn Funches, Dwyane Wade’s ex-wife, accuses him of taking advantage of their trans daughter Zaya’s gender identity. Funches expressed her dismay at Wade’s petition to officially change Zaya’s name for a variety of reasons, as noted in court records. Wade hopes to capitalize on Zaya’s name and gender reassignment through relationships and marketing opportunities with other companies, including Disney, Funches said. Funches is now concerned that Wade will pressure their child into agreeing to a name and gender change so he can take advantage of the opportunities he’s been given by various companies.
Siohvaughn recalled meeting Dwyane in April 2022, in which the latter reportedly told her she could make a lot of money off Zaya’s name and gender issues. She stated:
“[Wade] told me he wanted to make our kid extremely famous because of the name and gender issue and that there would be approvals/contracts involved.
Funches, who mentioned her daughter’s dead name in the statement, also claimed that now that Zaya’s transition has been made public, she will come under a lot of media pressure. She also said that Zaya should make the option of dealing with companies based on her gender when she reaches the right age in two and a half years. Dwyane has yet to respond to his ex-wife’s court paperwork, and neither the former couple’s representatives nor lawyers have spoken.
Wade had the right, according to Wade’s petition in August this year, to request Zaya’s official name change without her mother’s permission. He later stated that Funches had been informed of his petition as a courtesy.
Siohvaughn Funches is the creator of the ‘A Woman’s Worth Foundation’, which helps women overcome domestic violence.
Born on September 6, 1981, Siohvaughn Funches grew up in Chicago with her sister Garrica LeAnna Woods. She went through a difficult period in her childhood when her parents divorced when she was three years old. She enrolled and graduated from Harold L. Richards High School. She then moved to Wisconsin with Dwyane Wade and enrolled at Marquette University. Siohvaughn and Dwyane originally met in fifth grade and started dating when Funches was 15 years old. They had a son, Zaire Dwyane Wade, in February 2002 and married in May 2002, during their sophomore year. Despite financial difficulties during their marriage, Funches did everything she could to help Wade’s basketball career. She also took a pair of shoes from a retailer when Wade couldn’t afford them.
The duo were often seen at red carpet events. Zion Malachi Airamis, their second son, was born in May 2007. Dwyane divorced Siohvaughn in 2007 and the divorce was finalized in 2010. Dwyane was given full custody of the children and Funches was allowed to visit regularly. Wade was asked to pay Funches $5.125 million as part of their divorce settlement in 2013, and Funches also received a house and four cars from Wade.
Siohvaughn Funches founded A Woman’s Worth Foundation in 2006 and is currently its chairman. The charity offers women counseling services. The charity also helps women who are victims of domestic violence. Siohvaughn is also a published author, with titles such as The True Story For God’s Glory and You Gotta Let God Finish! In Georgia, the 41-year-old is a well-known public speaker and professional counselor in domestic violence.
