Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player, coach and executive best known as one of the greatest players in NBA history, the star of the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1980s and the rival of Magic Johnson in one of sport’s most famous rivalries. With his deadly shooting, his court vision and his fierce competitiveness, Bird built a career that spanned more than a decade on the court and decades more as a coach and executive, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
| Full Name | Larry Joe Bird |
| Date of Birth | December 7, 1956 |
| Age | 69 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | West Baden Springs, Indiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Profession | Former basketball player, coach, executive |
| Known For | Boston Celtics, 3x NBA champion, 3x NBA MVP |
| Wife | Dinah Mattingly (married 1989) |
| Children | Three, Mariah, Connor and Corrie |
| Net Worth | Approx. $75 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Larry Bird?
Larry Bird is a basketball player who became one of the biggest stars in NBA history. He first found fame with the Boston Celtics, a team he joined in 1979 after being drafted in 1978, and he went on to lead the Celtics to three NBA championships, in 1981, 1984 and 1986, and to win three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards, from 1984 to 1986.
Bird also had a successful career as a coach and executive, leading the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000 as head coach and serving as the Pacers’ president of basketball operations. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, and he has been praised for his shooting, his passing and his leadership.
Early Life & Background
Larry Joe Bird was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana, the son of a construction worker father, and he grew up in French Lick, Indiana, where he attended Springs Valley High School. He began playing basketball as a child, teaching himself to shoot by practising for hours on end, and he led Springs Valley to the Indiana state championship game in 1974.
After graduating from high school, Bird attended Indiana University, where he studied, before transferring to Indiana State University, where he led the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979, losing to Michigan State and Magic Johnson in one of the most watched games in college basketball history.
He has been married to Dinah Mattingly, his high school sweetheart, since 1989, and they have three children, Mariah, Connor and Corrie. He lives in Indiana, and he is known for his love of fishing and for his work with the organisation Special Olympics, a charity that supports athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Career
Bird’s breakthrough came in 1979, when he joined the Boston Celtics and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award. The Celtics went on to win the NBA championship in 1981, and Bird went on to win three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards, from 1984 to 1986, and to lead the Celtics to championships in 1984 and 1986.
After his playing career, Bird became head coach of the Indiana Pacers in 1997, leading the team to the NBA Finals in 2000, and he served as the Pacers’ president of basketball operations from 2003 to 2017. He was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2012, becoming the only person to win NBA MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year.
Like his great rival Magic Johnson, Bird is known for a career that spans decades and for the craft and competitiveness he brings to every game. He continues to be involved in basketball, and he remains one of the most beloved figures in the sport.
Facts About Larry Bird
- Larry Bird won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, in 1981, 1984 and 1986.
- He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
- He was born Larry Joe Bird in West Baden Springs, Indiana, in 1956.
- He won three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards, from 1984 to 1986.
- He has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989, and they have three children, Mariah, Connor and Corrie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Larry Bird?
Larry Bird was born on December 7, 1956, which makes him 69 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Larry Bird?
Larry Bird is 6 feet 9 inches tall (2.06 metres).
Who is Larry Bird married to?
Larry Bird has been married to Dinah Mattingly since 1989. They have three children, Mariah, Connor and Corrie.
What is Larry Bird’s net worth?
Larry Bird’s net worth is estimated at approximately $75 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Larry Bird best known for?
Larry Bird is best known as a Boston Celtics legend and a three-time NBA champion and MVP.
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