Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 8, 2025 · Entertainment

Behind the Home Runs: Inside Aaron Judge's Private Life

Aaron Judge (pictured) is a superstar on the field, but is trying his hardest to be private away from it

THE REAL AARON JUDGE: FROM ANONYMOUS FAN TO $360 MILLION SUPERSTAR

It's hard to believe that Aaron Judge, the reigning MLB superstar and face of the New York Yankees, was once just another fan blending in with the crowds at a Jimmy Fallon segment in Bryant Park. Wearing nothing but a pair of glasses as a disguise, Judge sat among unsuspecting fans, and not one of them recognized him. "Adam Judge," one fan replied when asked to identify the player in a photo. "I think he's gonna be a superstar."

Fast forward eight record-breaking years later, and that prediction has come true in the most spectacular way. With a nine-year, $360 million contract under his belt, Judge continues to break records on the field and shatter expectations off it.

The Bronx goes wild after Judge's three-run homer against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night (pictured)

But despite his superstardom, Judge remains one of the most private players in the league. Sources close to the player reveal that he's always been a man who values his alone time, even before his popularity soared. "He's a family man," says an insider. "He knows exactly what he wants and sticks to it."

Judge's devotion to his wife, Samantha Bracksieck, is one of the most fascinating aspects of his private life. The couple met in high school and college, but broke up and reunited in 2019. After a brief hiccup with Samantha's arrest for extreme DUI in 2020 – where she name-dropped her famous boyfriend on body cam footage – the pair solidified their relationship and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Hawaii in December 2021.

Paparazzi managed to capture a kiss at the altar, but that was about it. The couple has since kept a low profile, only occasionally stepping out in New York City for events like the US Open tennis tournament or Knicks games.

In December 2021, Judge and his wife Samantha Bracksieck tied the knot in an extremely intimate ceremony in Hawaii (pictured)

In his rare moments of public appearance, Judge is often seen with Samantha and their newborn daughter, Nora Rose Judge, who was born in January. The family of three resides in a plush penthouse apartment at The Cortland in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, which Judge purchased shortly after signing his record-breaking contract in 2023.

But it wasn't always this way for Judge, who grew up in Linden, California, with adoptive parents Patty and Wayne Judge – both schoolteachers. When he was just two days old, he was adopted by the couple, something he didn't discover until he was 10 years old.

"I think it was like, 'I don't look like you, Mom. I don't look like you, Dad. Like, what's going on here?'" Judge recalled in a past interview. "They just kind of told me I was adopted. I was like, 'OK, that's fine with me.'"

Judge is pictured with his wife (right), and parents Patty (second from left) and Wayne (left), in October 2023

The support and guidance of his adoptive parents played a crucial role in shaping Judge into the person he is today. "My mom and dad were the ones who made it happen," he said during an interview. "They're the reason I'm where I am today."

Judge has often spoken about how his parents instilled in him the importance of education, hard work, and treating people with kindness. He credits them for helping him achieve his dreams on and off the field.

As a high school athlete, Judge excelled in baseball, football, and basketball. Despite being offered scholarships to top colleges like Stanford and Notre Dame for football, he chose to pursue baseball, which would become his true passion. His talent earned him a spot in the Yankees' minor league system, where he worked his way up to the majors.

During his 2017 rookie season, Judge sat in New York's bustling Bryant Park in 'disguise' (pictured)

Judge's rise to superstardom was nothing short of meteoric. During his 2017 rookie season, he broke numerous records, including the fastest exit velocity in history at the time and hitting the longest home run of the season. He also surpassed Babe Ruth's record for most home runs hit in one season with a whopping 52.

By 2019, Judge became the third-fastest MLB player to hit 100 home runs, boasting an impressive exit velocity average (95.9 miles per hour) that year.

But what about his love life? Sources close to Judge reveal that he's been known to treat his wife like royalty. "Aaron is very private," says a source. "He doesn't want to put any unnecessary attention on Samantha or their family. He's extremely grateful for her support and knows exactly how lucky he is."

The Yankees superstar and his wife are extremely private, but he was waiting for her at the finish line of the New York Marathon in Central Park in November 2023 (pictured)

One of the most endearing aspects of Judge's personality is his commitment to giving back to his community. Through his organization, All Rise Foundation, he provides grants to schools in New York and California, inspiring children and youth to become responsible citizens.

As one insider puts it, "Aaron has always been a guy who values his family above all else." He's managed to keep his private life under wraps while dominating on the field. But with a nine-year, $360 million contract looming over him, will he continue to keep his feet firmly planted in reality?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Aaron Judge's remarkable journey from anonymous fan to superstar has captivated fans worldwide. His dedication to his family and commitment to giving back only add to the mystique surrounding this extraordinary athlete.

When Judge was just two days old, he was adopted by his parents - school teachers Patty and Wayne (pictured center) - something he didn't find out about until he was 10 years old

A PEEK INTO JUDGE'S FAVORITE HANGOUTS

Despite his private nature, Judge has been spotted at several events in New York City. One of his favorite spots is the US Open tennis tournament, where he often sits courtside with Samantha. They've also been known to attend Knicks games and enjoy quiet dinners in Midtown Manhattan.

JUDGE'S LOVE FOR SHOES

A few times a year, Samantha (left) and Aaron (right) are spotted out and about in NYC - here they attend the US Open tennis tournament in Queens in September 2022

The 33-year-old has a reputation for being a sneakerhead, often wearing Jordans during MLB events. He's even spent over $5,000 on nine pairs of sneakers in an episode of Sneaker Shopping. "The name of the game now is kind of designing your own cleats, putting your own little touch and design, and your own little style in the game," Judge said in an interview with Complex.

A BRIEF GLIMPSE INTO JUDGE'S CHILDHOOD

Growing up in Linden, California, Judge's adoptive parents provided him with a stable home environment that encouraged his love for sports. His mother, Patty, was quoted as saying, "We just wanted him to be a really good person." Judge credits his parents for instilling in him the importance of education and hard work.

While attending Linden High School as a teen in California, Judge excelled as a three-sport athlete, dominating in baseball - as well as football and basketball too. Pictured: Judge as a child playing baseball

THE SCHOLARLY NOTE EXCLUSIVE

The Scholarly Note spoke with sources close to Judge about his private life. "Aaron is not one to seek attention," says an insider. "He's extremely grateful for Samantha's support and knows exactly how lucky he is." With a nine-year, $360 million contract looming over him, will Judge continue to keep his feet firmly planted in reality?

READ MORE ON THE SCHOLARLY NOTE

Judge flirted with basketball and football before deciding to become a baseball player

For more on Aaron Judge's private life and fascinating career, be sure to check out our exclusive articles on The Scholarly Note. From his meteoric rise to superstardom to his commitment to giving back to his community, we've got the inside scoop on this extraordinary athlete.

The Scholarly Note would like to thank its sources for providing us with valuable insights into Judge's private life and career. We're committed to delivering you the most exclusive and captivating content on your favorite celebrities and public figures.

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Pictured: Judge wears a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey while attending an NFL game with wife Sam

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While he rose in popularity, Judge (seen in 2020) did his best to keep his personal life out of the spotlight

Judge gave a rare glimpse into his private life with a photo of Samantha and their newborn (pictured)

Judge married his longtime girlfriend, Bracksieck (seen in Hawaii before their wedding), in December 2021

Pictured: The couple are caught by paparazzi after stepping out in New York in December 2023

Judge (right) and Samantha (left) attend events together