Biography

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar: Woman who changed her religion for love of basketball icon

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar: Woman who changed her religion for love of basketball icon

While most spouses of famous individuals in the world seem to bask in the spotlight of their famous spouses, some choose to be uninterested in the glitz and glam associated with fame. Habiba Abdul-Jabbar is one of those individuals who have barely made news despite being romantically affiliated with a highly famous person.

Even though she was once the wife to a man who was the most important name in the game of basketball at a certain time, Habiba Abdul-Jabbar has managed to avoid the spotlight for several decades.

So,…

Who is Habiba Abdul-Jabbar?

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar and her ex-husband

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar was born in October 1950 in the US state of New York. Her original birth name was Janice Brown, and she was raised in an American Christian family who were bona fide members of the Catholic church.

After her marriage to Kareem, Brown switched her religion and fully converted to Islam and changed her name to Habiba Abdul-Jabbar.

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Habiba Abdul-Jabbar career

Over the years, Habiba Abdul-Jabbar has stayed almost anonymous, as she is barely seen or heard from. As a result of her decision to stay completely off the spotlight, not so much is known about her lifestyle, ambition or current activities.

However, we were able to dig up some facts about the ex-wife of the basketball great. According to her Facebook profile, Abdul-Jabbar is an avid runner who is immensely enthusiastic about athletics in general. She has a Facebook page called “RunHabibaRun”. She also owns the apparel line Tutu Glam, which specialises in flamboyant tutu skirts.

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar’s net worth

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar and her husband

The projected net worth of Habiba Abdul-Jabbar is, according to media reports, estimated to be between $2 million to $4 million.

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar family

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar's familyFrom left, Kareem Jr., Habiba Abdul-Jabbar, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Habiba Alcindor, Sultana, Adam Abdul-Jabbar and Amir Abdul-Jabbar.

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first met when the former was a student in high school, while the latter was at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The duo got introduced by Cliff Anderson, a basketball player, who was Habiba’s boyfriend at the time.

Abdul-Jabbar invited Habiba to watch a basketball game in Los Angeles and their relationship began to blossom. After dating for a period, the pair decided to exchange wedding vows.

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On May 28, 1971, the couple got married, according to the Islamic religious rites. They tied the knot in Washington D.C. in a ceremony at a mosque led by Hamas Abdul-Khaalis, the leader of the Hanafi moment. Just before the wedding, the bride converted to Islam and changed her name from Janice Brown to Habiba. Meanwhile, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born in Harlem, New York, He was originally born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, but changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar following his conversion to Islam.

Unfortunately, Habiba’s parents, who travelled down from New York, were not permitted to witness the wedding ceremony at the mosque due to their Christian faith.

Kareem abdul-jabbar talking

According to a source, even Abdul-Jabbar was unaware that they were not permitted to access the wedding venue until the ceremony began. This produced a significant schism between Habiba and Abdul-Jabbar early in the early years of their marriage.

Abdul-Jabbar was able to reconcile the two families after a while. He had often sent several shout-outs to his parents-in-law whenever he was on national television, saying, “Hi to Moms and Pops in New York.”

Habiba and Abdul-Jabbar have three children: two girls, Habiba and Sultana; and one boy, Kareem Jr.

Habiba, their firstborn child and daughter, works as a journalist under the pen name Habiba Alcindor. She writes for the Huffington Post, among other publications. Their son, like his father, became a basketball player. Kareem Jr. also had a brief stint in acting, appearing in the film “Weapons”.

Sultana worked as an assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008 for around five months. She was subsequently employed as an administrative assistant at Children’s Institute Inc. in December 2009, where she remained for more than four years.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his daughter, Habiba Alcindor
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his daughter, Habiba Alcindor

NOTE: Habiba Abdul-Jabbar is not to be mistaken for her first daughter, who bears the same name (Habiba) and possesses an eerily uncanny resemblance to her mother

Divorce

Abdul-Jabbar’s migraines and his relationship with Cheryl Pistono were the two factors that led to his divorce from Habiba Adul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar lost six relatives and one buddy, who were all members of the Hanafi group, and this devastating incident triggered severe migraines for the basketball icon. According to reports, all six individuals were murdered by rival black Muslims in Washington D.C. They were said to have all been murdered inside a house the basketball icon had purchased for them, with some sources stating that he was the original target of the hit.

Abdul-Jabbar once revealed to Al Jazeera that his marriage to Habiba Adul-Jabbar was based on their spiritual leader’s advice at the time. He claimed he had a deep affection for another lady, but he decided to marry Habiba because of the respect he had for his religious leader.

a younger Habiba Abdul-Jabbar and her then husband

Abdul-Jabbar allegedly had an extramarital affair with his then-girlfriend, Cheryl Pistono, while still married to Habiba. This led to a significant rupture in their marriage, forcing them to live in different houses. At that time, Pistono was said to have had a greater influence on Abdul-Jabbar’s life than any of his professors, coaches, or friends. Eventually, she advised Abdul-Jabbar to file for a divorce, a suggestion he followed suit with.

Although they were no longer living together as of December 1973, Abdul-Jabbar frequently visited his estranged wife and their first child, Habiba. When they separated, Habiba was only three months along in the pregnancy of their second daughter. They also bore their only son whilst they lived separately.

After his divorce from Habiba was finalised in 1978, Abdul-Jabbar went on to date Pistono. They bore a son together, Amir Adam Abdul-Jabbar. However, Cheryl ended up getting married to Steven Jenkins in 1985.

Abdul-Jabbar went on to welcome his son and last child, named Amir Abul-Jabbar, from this relationship with Julye Olds.

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar height

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar is currently 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

Habiba Abdul-Jabbar age

If indeed Habiba was born in October 1950, as indicated in various media reports, it means that she is currently 72 years and would turn 73 by October 2023.

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