‘RHOM’s’ Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova's Romance Started With Two Meet-Cutes

Julia shared on 'RHOM' how her "deja vu" moment with Martina resulted in marriage, children, and a possible adoption.

Mar. 8 2024, Published 12:01 p.m. ET

On The Real Housewives of Miami, the cast and fanatics have mentioned many tumultuous relationships. However, Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova are too in love and have endured an excessive amount of in combination to let a little truth TV wreck their marriage.

In 2021, Julia, a model and former Miss USSR, joined RHOM for Season 4, introducing the arena to her life with Martina, a tennis legend.

The franchise's first married lesbian couple have shared their kin of two kids, a backyard farm full of over 30 animals, and, more importantly, unconditional love. And, in spite of Julia's co-star, Larsa Pippen, insinuating Julia prefers Black male genitalia, she and Martina are extra important than ever.

So, how did the trend and sports icons get in combination? Here's Julia and Martina's complete relationship timeline.

Julia Lemigova and Martina Navratilova met accidentally in 2000.

Julia and Martina's connection almost didn't happen. In a Season Four episode of RHOM, Julia shared that the pair locked eyes whilst attending the same event: The French Open. Although they spoke lengthy sufficient at a bar for Martina to introduce herself, Julia stated, "That was the end of our moment. Something could have happened, but it didn’t.”

The meeting came after Julia faced the death of her son, Maximillian, whom she had with her ex, Edouard Stern. She went on to have her daughters, Emma and Victoria, in 2001 and 2005. Martina was also single and was linked to model Hunter Reno several years before meeting Julia.

In 2008, the pair met again at the French Open and began dating.

Julia and Martina's lives may have continued without one another for eight more years, but when they connected again, they made sure not to let the kismet moment pass them by. On RHOM, Julia recalled the "deja vu" experience of seeing Martina again at, you guessed it, the French Open. This time, Julia made the first move and asked Martina for breakfast. According to Julia, one breakfast turned into two and three, and before they knew it, Martina moved in. I (a queer woman) love US!

In 2014, Martina proposed to Julia and the pair married that December.

After making good on their second meet-cute, Martina and Julia were fully committed to each other. They began raising Julia's daughters together. However, they still needed to make their union official in the eyes of the law, which Martina changed in 2014.

While attending the U.S. Open that September (the Opens are their thing!) Martina proposed to Julia. The following December, the pair married in New York City. According to a feature from Gay Parent Magazine, their guests included their daughters, Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray, Chris Evert, and Brooke Shields.

In 2021, The pair became the first same-sex married couple within ‘The Real Housewives’ franchise.

Julia and Martina's love story became more known after Julia landed a spot on Bravo's revival of RHOM. When Julia and Martina joined the franchise, they became the first lesbian married couple. The pivotal moment came soon after Julia had become more comfortable with her place in the LGBTQIA community. While she admittedly struggled with being out in the past, she said her daughters' acceptance of her and Martina's relationship ultimately gave her the "push" she needed.

"When I noticed my two girls status as much as their pals and saying, 'Yeah, we have now two moms,' and I noticed them, it is like, 'Oh my god. My girls came out quicker than me!'" Julia instructed NBC News. "And then it was like, 'Boom, boom.' I never, ever seemed back."

"It simply took place, and I needed some push," she added. "I needed some improve. It's so vital for anyone if you have your family members, whether it is your kids, folks, or loved ones — just supporting and helping you."

In Season 5 of ‘RHOM,’ the couple dealt with Martina’s double cancer diagnosis.

Within the first season of their time on RHOM, Julia and Martina became one of the most adorable Bravo couples. I especially love seeing Julia revert to a child who is afraid of the principal every time she stumbles upon a new pet for her and Martina to care for. And then Martina wins Wife of the Year every time she shakes her head and welcomes the furry creature. She is the real MVP!

Julia and Martina have also shared the problematic sides of their marriage with the world.

In January 2023, Martina announced she was diagnosed with Stage 1 HPV throat cancer at age 66. She shared in an interview with Today that, soon after the throat cancer diagnosis, her doctors found a lump on her breast, which turned out to be cancer. Martina had previously dealt with breast cancer in 2010.

While Martina admitted in an interview with Tennis.com that the dual diagnoses were difficult to face, she was hopeful of a full recovery.

“This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I’m hoping for a favorable outcome,” she said. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all have I got.”

Months after sharing her health journey with the media and on RHOM, Martina and Julia revealed she is officially cancer-free. While posting an interview of her and Martina with Piers Morgan on Instagram, Julia reflected on her wife's unwavering faith.

"To say that I'm pleased with Martina would be a significant understatement," she said in her caption.

Julia and Martina announced their plans to adopt a child together in 2024.

Now that Martina maintaining her health, she and Julia shared in 2023 and 2024 that their plans to adopt a child are officially back on. The couple previously wanted to adopt but put it on hold amid Martina's cancer diagnosis. However, Julia confirmed at the RHOM Season 6 reunion that they were taking all the necessary measures to have a smooth process of welcoming a new child into their family.

"Martina is now cancer-free, and I'm satisfied to say that we're again, full-on, with our adoption plans," Julia said. "And not most effective that, I've employed a 2nd agency to hurry up the process, as a result of it is not simple."

Julia shared that she originally wanted to adopt a boy but said being able to adopt any baby would make her "happy." She also said she and Martina are giving themselves one year to make the adoption happen, stating they're at the time to "either do it or now not."

The Real Housewives of Miami airs on Wednesdays at Nine p.m. EST on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.

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