Emily Vakos: The Real Story of Anthony Rizzo’s Wife and Their Journey Together

You’ve probably heard of Anthony Rizzo, the popular MLB star known for his time with the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. But behind every great player is often someone special — and in this case, it’s Emily Vakos.

Emily isn’t just “Anthony Rizzo’s wife.” She’s a smart, kind, and active woman with a story of her own. From working as a nutrition intern to running marathons and working in real estate, Emily has built her own path — and today, we’re going to explore it.

In this article, we’ll walk through her life, career, and her beautiful journey with Anthony Rizzo — including how they met, their surprise proposal, wedding, and big news in 2025. Let’s get started.

Emily Vakos Quick Bio

Who Is Emily Vakos?

Emily Vakos is an American nutritionist and real estate broker. Many people know her today as Anthony Rizzo’s wife, but there’s much more to her story.

She was born on January 9, 1994, in Dallas, Texas. As of 2025, she is 31 years old. She grew up in a close and loving family. Her parents are Mark Vakos and Stephanie Sudwischer. Emily also has an older brother named Michael.

She now lives in Chicago, Illinois, but travels often with her husband depending on the baseball season. Emily is 5 feet 5 inches tall, has dark brown hair, and grey eyes. People often describe her as calm, kind, and very down-to-earth.

Emily Vakos and Anthony Rizzo’s Relationship

Their love story began in 2016. At the time, Anthony Rizzo was playing for the Chicago Cubs, and Emily was finishing college. She had taken an internship with the team’s nutrition department during spring training in Arizona.

That’s when Anthony noticed her and asked for her phone number. Funny enough, Emily gave him a fake number at first! She wasn’t ready to date a player while working with the team. But she did leave the door open. Once her internship ended, they reconnected.

Rizzo later called his pursuit of Emily “relentless” — and it paid off. They started dating and quickly became a strong couple. Fans noticed how happy they looked together.

The Sweet Proposal That Took Her by Surprise

Anthony Rizzo planned a proposal that Emily would never forget. In 2017, he took her out on a cruise on Lake Michigan. Emily thought it was just a photo shoot. She wore a nice dress, had her makeup done, and thought nothing of it.

Then, during the cruise, Rizzo pulled out a ring. At first, Emily thought it was a prank! But it wasn’t. Rizzo had arranged a fireworks display, and everything was perfectly planned. Emily was shocked and touched by the effort he put into it.

“It was great,” Rizzo later said. “She was totally surprised — that’s what I wanted.” And just like that, they were engaged.

Emily Vakos and Anthony Rizzo’s Beautiful Wedding

The couple got married on December 29, 2018, just before the new year. The wedding was held in South Florida, and it was full of love, laughter, and close friends.

Many of Anthony’s teammates from the Cubs were there. David Ross, Kris Bryant, and Dexter Fowler all attended. Fowler’s daughter was even the flower girl! For their first dance, country singer Brett Eldredge performed live.

They also served special food from their hometowns — including Rizzo’s favorite cannolis from New Jersey. Emily later said, “I had a wedding beyond anything I could have ever dreamt.” Rizzo posted a sweet message online thanking his new wife and their guests.

Emily Vakos’ Education and Love for Nutrition

Emily always cared about healthy food and helping others. She went to Highland Park High School, and after that, she studied at Arizona State University.

She graduated in 2016 with a degree in Nutrition and Food Management. While in school, she also took extra classes at the College of Health Solutions, learning even more about health and wellness.

Emily even started her own food blog called Food-1-1 while in college. She shared recipes and nutrition tips, though she no longer updates the blog. Still, her passion for wellness has always been a big part of who she is.

What Emily Vakos Does for a Living

After college, Emily worked in several places to build her career. She interned at Herbalife, helped at St. Mary’s Food Bank, and even worked with school nutrition programs in Arizona.

Later, she decided to explore a new field: real estate. Today, she works as a real estate broker in Chicago with a company called @Properties. She helps people find the perfect homes while still staying true to her love for healthy living.

She’s known to be caring, helpful, and great at what she does. Whether she’s guiding someone through buying a home or offering a tip on better eating, Emily always brings her full heart.

Emily Vakos is Also a Marathon Runner

Emily Vakos proved she’s strong in more ways than one. In November 2023, she ran the New York City Marathon — and she wasn’t just running for fun.

She did it to raise money for the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, which helps families dealing with pediatric cancer. This cause means a lot to both Emily and Rizzo, especially since Anthony battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma when he was younger.

Emily trained hard and stayed focused. She even ran with Samantha Bracksieck, the wife of Yankees player Aaron Judge. Emily asked Samantha for advice, like what to wear and how to prepare. In the end, she finished the race in 3 hours, 47 minutes, and 54 seconds. Rizzo waited at the finish line, smiling and cheering her on.

What Emily Says About Life in the Spotlight

Being Anthony Rizzo’s wife comes with a lot of attention. Emily has talked about what that’s like. One funny story she shared was about grocery shopping. She said she’d be picking out bananas while Rizzo was busy doing a mini photo shoot with fans right there in the store!

She also mentioned how hard it can be to just go on a normal date. Fans often stop them to take pictures or say hello. While they’re happy to meet people, sometimes they just want a quiet dinner together.

Still, Emily handles it with grace. She stays calm, polite, and friendly — even when the attention is unexpected.

Emily Vakos and Anthony Rizzo’s Dog, Kevin

Let’s talk about their furry family member — Kevin the dog. Kevin is a dachshund with a big personality. He often shows up in the couple’s Instagram photos and has become a fan favorite.

In fact, Kevin played a very important role in their baby announcement. In January 2025, the couple shared the news that they were expecting their first child. In the photo, Kevin wore a “Big Brother” bandana, and behind him were baby ultrasound pictures and a little “Baby Rizzo” onesie.

It was a sweet and simple way to share their joy with the world.

Emily Vakos and Anthony Rizzo Are Expecting Their First Baby

The big news in 2025? Emily Vakos and Anthony Rizzo are having a baby! Fans were thrilled to hear the announcement on Instagram.

It’s a special time for the couple, especially after many years of being together. While they haven’t shared the baby’s gender or due date yet, their excitement is clear.

People are already calling Kevin “the best big brother,” and many fans are looking forward to seeing this new chapter in their lives.

Where Are They Now? Life After Yankees and What’s Next

In late 2024, the New York Yankees decided not to renew Rizzo’s contract. That means he’s now a free agent. It’s not clear yet where he’ll play next or where the couple will live during the 2025 season.

But no matter what team comes next, one thing is clear — Emily Vakos will be there, cheering him on. She has always supported Rizzo through every high and low.

In the meantime, Emily is still working in real estate in Chicago and preparing for motherhood. The couple is focused on their future — both in baseball and at home.

Why Fans Love Emily Vakos

So why do people love Emily Vakos so much? It’s simple. She’s kind, smart, and strong — but also very real.

She doesn’t try to be in the spotlight. She supports her husband, but also follows her own path. She’s run a marathon, built a career, and kept her personal life private — all while being one of the most admired MLB wives.

Even with fame and attention, she stays true to herself. That’s what makes her so inspiring.

Final Thoughts

Now you know the real story behind Emily Vakos — from her days as a nutrition intern to becoming a marathon runner, realtor, and soon-to-be mom. She’s done a lot, and she’s done it all with grace.

Her journey with Anthony Rizzo is full of love, laughter, surprises, and now, a growing family. Whether she’s helping a client find a home or training for a race, Emily shows up fully and gives her best.

She may be known as Anthony Rizzo’s wife, but Emily Vakos is truly a star in her own right.

(FAQs)

How old is Emily Vakos, and when is her birthday?

Emily Vakos was born on January 9, 1994, which makes her 31 years old in 2025. Many fans are surprised to learn she was just 22 when she met Anthony Rizzo.

Is Emily Vakos Greek? What’s her nationality?

No, Emily Vakos is not Greek — even though her last name sounds like it. She is 100% American, born and raised in Dallas, Texas.

Does Emily Vakos have any children?

Yes! In January 2025, Emily and Anthony Rizzo announced that they are expecting their first baby. Their dog Kevin helped make the big reveal on Instagram.

How tall is Emily Vakos?

Emily Vakos is 5 feet 5 inches tall (or 160 cm). She may be petite, but she ran the entire New York City Marathon in under 4 hours!

Where does Emily Vakos live now, and what does she do?

As of 2025, Emily lives in Chicago with her husband. She works as a real estate broker and stays active in fitness and charity — all while preparing to become a mom.

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