LeBron James wrapped up a busy midweek day with a heartfelt celebration for someone close to his inner circle: his private chef, Dena Marino.
On Instagram Stories, James shared a video of the intimate birthday gathering. He, his wife Savannah, and daughter Zhuri presented Marino with a slice of cake, lit a candle, and sang a cheerful “Happy Birthday to You.”
LeBron James appears to flip off the Nuggets’ bench
When Marino blew out the flame, the family erupted into applause and cheers, highlighting the warm and personal nature of the moment.
Marino later reshared the video on her own account, captioning it, “All My favs with my Reese’s Cake!” accompanied by two red heart emojis.
Their long-standing relationship was also on display years earlier when LeBron praised one of her signature dishes, the “Creamy Cauliflower ‘Carbonara,'” calling it one of his favorites.
“And I have a lot of favs!” he added on a social media platform mostly filled by bots now.
A personal celebration amid public scrutiny
The birthday tribute comes just hours after reports suggested that Lakers owner Jeanie Buss had grown frustrated with James.
Despite the media attention, the NBA superstar seemed unfazed, choosing to focus on his family and those who support him behind the scenes.
By sharing the moment online, James provided a glimpse into his personal life away from the basketball court.
While the day may have been filled with outside distractions, the birthday celebration reinforced the importance he places on family and loyalty.
It was a joyful reminder that beyond headlines and speculation, James maintains close connections with those who have been part of his journey.
From savoring Marino‘s homemade meals to celebrating milestones together, these quieter moments reveal the side of LeBron often overshadowed by his public persona.
Even amid a noisy day in the news cycle, the basketball icon demonstrated that cherishing personal relationships takes center stage in his life.
