Who Is Cheryl Pistono? The Full Story of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Ex-Girlfriend
Cheryl Pistono is best known as the former girlfriend of NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. But her story goes far beyond that famous name. Born in a small town in Illinois, Cheryl grew up in a simple, hard-working family. She later moved to California, found her path in Buddhism, and became one of the most important people in Kareem’s life. Even though she stayed away from the spotlight for most of her life, her influence on one of basketball’s greatest players is hard to ignore. Let’s take a closer look at who Cheryl Pistono really is.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cheryl Pistono (now Cheryl Pistono Jenkins) |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1956 |
| Birthplace | LaSalle, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | LaSalle-Peru High School; UCLA |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Famous For | Ex-girlfriend of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| Children | Amir Abdul-Jabbar, Jesse, Taaj, and Brianna Jenkins |
| Ex-Partner | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1977–1985) |
| Husband | Steven Jenkins (married after 1985) |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Current Residence | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Self-employed |
Early Life and Family Background
Cheryl Pistono was born on September 9, 1956, in LaSalle, Illinois. Her parents, John Joseph Pistono Jr. and Sylvia Ann Waclaw, raised her along with four siblings one sister named Kay and three brothers named John, James, and Jeffry. The family lived a simple, working-class life where hard work and strong family values were at the center of everything.
Cheryl attended LaSalle-Peru High School. She was a bright and curious young woman who always wanted something more. At the age of 16, she made a bold choice and left her hometown to move to the West Coast. She later talked about those early years in California, saying she got into an exciting social scene. Eventually, she found peace through Buddhism, a practice that became a guiding force in her life.
How Cheryl Met Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Cheryl Pistono met Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1977 through their shared interest in Buddhism. At that time, Kareem was already a basketball superstar playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. Their meeting was quite unusual because Cheryl had no interest in sports and did not even recognize who Kareem was at first.
Cheryl once shared that she was not impressed by the sports world at all. She said Kareem expected her to act excited like other women did, but she did not. Instead, one day he brought her a rose from his garden, and that small, honest act caught her attention. She saw a serious, quiet man and wanted to make him laugh. That simple moment started a deep and meaningful relationship.
Their Relationship and Life Together
Cheryl and Kareem stayed together for about seven to eight years, from 1977 to around 1984–1985. Their bond was built on deep talks, shared spiritual beliefs, and respect for each other. At the time they met, Kareem had already been living apart from his first wife, Habiba, since 1973. Cheryl encouraged him to officially file for divorce and move forward with his life.
Kareem openly said many times that Cheryl was more influential than his coaches, teachers, and teammates. She helped him grow as a person, become a better leader on the court, and listen to the people around him. Together, they welcomed a son named Amir Abdul-Jabbar. Despite their strong connection, the couple never married and decided to go their separate ways.
Cheryl’s Influence on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Cheryl Pistono played a major role in shaping Kareem Abdul-Jabbar into the man people admire today. She introduced him to new ways of thinking and encouraged him to explore Eastern philosophies more deeply. Her calm, thoughtful nature helped Kareem look beyond basketball and focus on personal growth and self-awareness.
Kareem himself admitted that Cheryl changed his outlook on life more than anyone else. She pushed him to be honest with himself, to ask hard questions, and to become a more complete person. Many people believe that the Lakers’ success during the 1980s was partly helped by the personal changes Kareem made because of Cheryl’s guidance.
Life After Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
After Cheryl and Kareem ended their relationship around 1985, they made a promise to each other. They agreed to stay on good terms for the sake of their son, Amir. Cheryl once explained that the reason they kept a great relationship was because she never dragged him back through old problems. Their son was always more important than any disagreement.
Cheryl later married a man named Steven Jenkins. Together, they had three children — Jesse, Taaj, and Brianna. She chose to live a quiet, private life in Los Angeles, far away from media attention. She focused on raising her family, practicing Buddhism, and running her own business. She stays off social media and prefers to keep her personal life out of the public eye.
Her Son Amir Abdul-Jabbar
Amir Abdul-Jabbar, the son of Cheryl and Kareem, has made a name for himself on his own terms. He studied medicine and earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He later completed his residency at Louisiana State University and became an orthopedic and spinal surgeon.
When Kareem was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008, Amir stepped in to help his father understand the disease and treatment options. This brought father and son even closer. Amir is a quiet and private person, much like his mother, and he continues to work in the medical field while supporting his family.
Cheryl Pistono in Popular Culture
Cheryl Pistono’s story reached a wider audience through the HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” The show tells the story of the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers and includes Cheryl as an important character in Kareem’s personal life. Actress Sarah Ramos played the role of Cheryl in the series.
The show described Cheryl as a warm and outgoing person — very different from Kareem’s more serious public image. She used her emotional understanding to help Kareem be himself, both on and off the court. The series brought new attention to Cheryl’s story and showed people how important she was during that exciting time in basketball history.
Where Is Cheryl Pistono Now?
Today, Cheryl Pistono lives a private life in Los Angeles, California. She is self-employed and stays away from the public spotlight. She does not use social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter, and she rarely gives interviews.
Cheryl continues to practice Buddhism and focuses on her family and personal well-being. Even though she was once connected to one of the biggest names in basketball, she chose peace and privacy over fame. Her story shows that you do not need to be in the spotlight to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Conclusion
Cheryl Pistono is much more than just Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s ex-girlfriend. She is a mother, a businesswoman, and a person of deep spiritual faith. Her influence helped shape one of basketball’s greatest players into a better man. Even after their breakup, she handled everything with grace and focused on building a happy, private life. Cheryl’s story is a reminder that the people behind the spotlight often have the most powerful stories to tell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Cheryl Pistono?
Cheryl Pistono is an American woman best known as the former girlfriend of NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They were together from 1977 to 1985 and have a son named Amir Abdul-Jabbar.
2. Did Cheryl Pistono marry Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
No, Cheryl and Kareem never married. They were in a long-term relationship for about seven to eight years but chose not to get married.
3. How many children does Cheryl Pistono have?
Cheryl has four children. She has one son, Amir, with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. She also has three children — Jesse, Taaj, and Brianna — with her husband Steven Jenkins.
4. What does Cheryl Pistono do for a living?
Cheryl is self-employed and lives in Los Angeles. She keeps her professional life private and does not share many details with the public.
5. Was Cheryl Pistono shown in any TV series?
Yes, Cheryl’s character appeared in the HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” Actress Sarah Ramos played her role in the show.
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