James received little support from his father, Anthony McClelland, who was often absent and failed to provide regular payments for child support.
The mother of NBA superstar LeBron James, Gloria James, takes pride in being hailed as the “Mother of the King.” She even sports a tattoo on her arm that reads “Queen James.” Despite her son’s unparalleled success in the league, Gloria remains humble and approachable. During a Q&A session at the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, she shared that she is a down-to-earth person who believes in lending an ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a comforting hug to those in need. As a single mother, Gloria played an essential role in LeBron’s life, providing him with unconditional love and support throughout his personal and professional journey. In a 2014 interview with Maria Shriver from Today, LeBron credited his mother for much of his accomplishments, acting as both a mother and a father figure in his upbringing.
He expressed his admiration for her ability to speak up. Gloria James, an impressive athlete, is the mother of basketball star LeBron James. She gave birth to him at the age of 16 in Akron, Ohio, and was the younger sister of Terry James and Curt James. LeBron never met his biological father and was primarily raised by Gloria and her brothers after his grandmother died when he was three. They moved frequently, and LeBron missed a lot of school and lived with a foster family when they couldn’t afford to heat the house. As a single mother, Gloria had to bear a lot of responsibilities but did her best to provide for her son without pressuring him to become a professional athlete. Her only desire was for him to be happy and complete high school with his peers. According to LeBron’s coach, Gloria was an enthusiastic fan who never caused any problems.
LeBron James’ SUV, gifted to him by his mother Gloria on his 18th birthday in 2002, was investigated due to suspicions surrounding the purchase. The Hummer came equipped with televisions and video game consoles, leading to questions about how the family could afford such a luxurious gift given their previous residence in Akron’s public housing. In Ohio, high school athletes risked losing their amateur status if they received gifts or money of monetary value. However, after an investigation, LeBron was cleared of any wrongdoing. Gloria now serves as the vice president of the LeBron James Family Foundation, which prioritizes supporting disadvantaged children in Akron, Ohio. Her efforts have contributed to the establishment of the I Promise School, a significant accomplishment for the foundation. Additionally, Gloria is a devoted grandmother to LeBron’s three children and frequently attends their basketball games, sharing photos of them on her Instagram account.
It brings me great joy to see my grandsons grow into respectable young men both on and off the basketball court. I love sharing images of myself at their tournaments and expressing my pride and love for them on social media. Spending time with my granddaughter Zhuri is also incredibly heartwarming, especially when we visit Disneyland and Universal Studios together.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic was tough on LeBron and me. He missed me terribly and struggled to maintain social distance from me. During a press conference in July 2020, he even mentioned that it was the longest period he had gone without seeing me. Thankfully, my optimistic outlook helped him through quarantine, and we were soon reunited.
After winning his fourth NBA title in October 2020, LeBron made his first call to me on FaceTime. He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for everything I had been through, and the video of this moment has since gone viral on Twitter. As a proud mother, I am thrilled to see my son’s incredible accomplishments and feel blessed to be a part of his journey.