Wayne Gretzky’s spouse, Janet Jones, is far more than just the partner of hockey’s greatest legend. Born on January 10, 1961, in Bridgeton, Missouri, Janet grew up in St. Louis as the second youngest of seven siblings. Her father, Robert, worked in aviation but battled cancer for most of her life, passing away when she was just 15. This loss shaped her perspective, and she channeled her energy into dance, winning the Miss Dance of America contest at 16.
That victory landed her a spot on the 1980s TV show Dance Fever, where she first crossed paths with Gretzky in 1981. At the time, she was a dazzling dancer, and he was a 19-year-old NHL phenom guest-judging the show. Though they met briefly, their real connection didn’t spark until years later at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 1987. Janet was there with a friend, Gretzky with his pal Alan Thicke, and after the game, they ended up grabbing dinner.
That night, over beers, they discovered how aligned they were. Both born just 16 days apart, they shared a love of sports, family values, and competitive spirits. Gretzky later recalled how his father instantly approved, calling Janet “a lifer” after their first meeting.
Wayne Gretzky and His Wife Janet Jones: How Many Kids Do They Share?
Their relationship moved fast. While Janet was away filming a workout video in 1988, Gretzky proposed over the phone in his typical low-key style. “Why don’t we get married?” he casually suggested during a call. She said yes, and when she returned, they celebrated with a proper dinner. Their wedding on July 16, 1988, in Edmonton was anything but casual, though.
Dubbed a “wedding of royal proportions” by CBC, it drew thousands of fans outside St. Joseph’s Basilica, where 700 guests watched Janet walk down the aisle in a dramatic tulle-adorned gown. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra even played as a thank-you for Gretzky’s charity work. A month later, the couple moved to Los Angeles after Gretzky’s iconic trade to the Kings, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
Family became their cornerstone. Just five months after marrying, they welcomed their first child, Paulina, on December 19, 1988. Paulina, now a model and actress, married golf champ Dustin Johnson in 2022, making Janet a doting grandmother to their little ones, Tatum and River. The Gretzkys expanded their brood with sons Ty (born July 9, 1990), Trevor (September 14, 1992), Tristan (August 2, 2000), and daughter Emma (March 28, 2003).
Each child inherited their parents’ athletic genes. Ty co-founded the Gretzky Hockey School with his dad, Trevor played minor-league baseball before acting in films like Mile 22, Tristan golfs competitively, and Emma shines in tennis and acting, just like her mom. Janet, whom the grandkids call “Honey,” proudly cheers them all on, often gushing about them on Instagram.
Janet’s own career never took a back seat. After Dance Fever, she starred in 1980s films like The Flamingo Kid and Police Academy 5, and in 2022, she appeared alongside Trevor and Bruce Willis in American Siege. But she was the undisputed CEO of the Gretzky household. Wayne admits she was the disciplinarian, joking that if the kids heard “Wait till your dad gets home,” they’d laugh. Dinner was at the same time every night, manners were non-negotiable, and Janet’s strictness, inspired by her father, kept the family grounded despite their fame.
Their life together is a blend of glamour and simplicity. They repurchased their sprawling Thousand Oaks estate in 2018 for $13.5 million, a home Janet helped design, complete with a tennis court, pool, and guesthouses always full of friends and family. They stay active with hot yoga, SoulCycle, and tennis, and Janet Jones still playfully nudges Wayne Gretzky to “look good in his jeans.” They’ve also dabbled in business, from Gretzky Estates Wine to Janet’s appetite-suppressing gum venture.
