Who Is Montana Helena Klein Yao? Everything You Need to Know About Malik Beasley’s Wife
Montana Helena Klein Yao is an American model, social media influencer, and beauty queen who became widely known as the wife of NBA basketball player Malik Beasley. Born and raised in California, she built her own identity long before the spotlight of professional basketball ever found her. From winning beauty pageants as a teenager to landing major brand campaigns, Montana has always been far more than just a famous player’s partner.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Montana Helena Klein Yao |
| Date of Birth | August 5, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Newport Beach, California, USA |
| Age (2025) | 27 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Chinese, English, Irish, German) |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | 61 kg (134.5 lbs) |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Father | Paul Yao (Chinese-American) |
| Mother | Gina Klein Yao (Fashion Entrepreneur) |
| Siblings | None (Only Child) |
| High School | Maranatha High School, Pasadena; Malibu High School (Graduated 2015) |
| Profession | Model, Social Media Influencer, Entrepreneur |
| Modelling Agency | Newmark Models |
| Pageant Title | Miss Malibu Teen USA 2016 |
| Spouse | Malik Beasley (Married March 5, 2020) |
| Children | Makai Joseph Beasley (born 2019), Mia Love Beasley (born 2022) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million to $2 million |
| @montanayao (125,000+ followers) |
Early Life and Family Background
Montana Helena Klein Yao was born on August 5, 1997, in Newport Beach, California. She grew up as the only child in a loving and supportive home. Her father, Paul Yao, was born in China and moved to the United States in 1965. He later served in the US Army during the 1970s. Her mother, Gina Klein Yao, is a fashion entrepreneur who was born and raised in the California Valley. Gina has English, Irish, and German heritage, which gives Montana her beautifully mixed background.
Montana has often spoken about how stable and warm her childhood was. Her parents stayed married for nearly four decades, and both of them played a big role in shaping her confidence and ambition. Her father’s love of basketball, particularly his admiration for the Los Angeles Lakers, also planted a seed in Montana that would later connect her to the NBA world in a very personal way.
Education and School Years
Montana attended Maranatha High School in Pasadena, California, before transferring to Malibu High School, where she completed her senior year and graduated in 2015. During her school years, she was far from a quiet student sitting in the back row. She explored performing arts, fashion, and early modelling workshops, all while keeping up with her academic studies.
Her time at Malibu High School helped her develop stage confidence, a strong public presence, and a clear sense of direction. By the time she received her diploma, she already had one foot inside the beauty and fashion industry. Her teenage years laid the foundation for everything that followed.
Modelling Career and Pageant Success
Montana began competing in beauty pageants as a teenager, and her hard work quickly paid off. In 2016, just one year after graduating from high school, she entered the Miss Malibu Teen USA pageant and won the title. That victory was a turning point. It opened doors and brought her name to the attention of industry professionals across California.
She went on to compete at the Miss California Teen USA 2016 pageant, where she earned a Top 10 finish. That result led her to sign with Newmark Models, a well-respected modelling agency. She worked as a hostess at Duke’s Malibu and Catch NYC before landing major campaign work, including shoots with global fashion brand Zara. She also travelled to locations such as the Bahamas and Miami for swimsuit modelling projects. Her career was built on real effort, not just a famous last name.
Social Media and Online Presence
Montana is very active on Instagram under the handle @montanayao, where she has built a following of over 125,000 followers. She uses the platform to share lifestyle content, fashion collaborations, personal moments, and snapshots of her life as a mother. Her feed gives her audience a genuine look at who she is beyond the headlines.
She has also worked with brands such as Stiiizy and Bumble BFF, partnering on campaigns that match her personal values and aesthetic. Montana first went viral online back in 2016 when a rap video she appeared in gained traction on social platforms. That early moment showed her playful, multi-talented side, and it gave people a taste of her personality beyond modelling.
Relationship with Malik Beasley
Montana met NBA shooting guard Malik Beasley at an event in 2018, and the two began dating shortly afterwards. Their relationship moved quickly. On March 26, 2019, Montana gave birth to their first child, a son named Makai Joseph Beasley. The couple married on March 5, 2020, making their family official. On November 11, 2022, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Mia Love Beasley.
Their relationship had genuine warmth and connection, and Montana often shared family moments on social media. However, the road ahead would prove to be more complicated than either of them expected.
The Larsa Pippen Scandal
In November 2020, photos emerged online showing Malik Beasley holding hands with actress and model Larsa Pippen, the former wife of basketball legend Scottie Pippen, while the two walked through a shopping mall in Miami. Montana, like the rest of the world, saw those photos for the very first time on social media. She had no warning and no preparation. She expressed her hurt and shock publicly on Instagram, and her honest reaction drew widespread sympathy.
Larsa Pippen later stated that she had not known Malik was married when he first reached out to her. Montana filed for divorce in December 2020, after just eight months of marriage. Malik issued a public apology on Instagram in May 2021, and the couple eventually reconciled. However, their relationship remained on unsteady ground in the years that followed.
Second Separation and Life in 2025
In March 2025, Montana filed for legal separation from Malik Beasley once again, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing came just weeks before what would have been their fifth wedding anniversary. Malik later filed for divorce and publicly confirmed a new relationship. Montana handled the situation with quiet dignity. She kept the focus on her children and stepped back from sharing personal details online during that period.
As of 2025, Montana is focused on motherhood, her modelling career, and expanding her personal brand. She continues to share content online that reflects her life values and her role as a dedicated mother to Makai and Mia. Industry estimates place her net worth between approximately $1.5 million and $2 million, earned through modelling contracts, brand partnerships, and social media collaborations.
Conclusion
Montana Helena Klein Yao is a talented, determined woman with a rich background and a career built on genuine effort. From winning Miss Malibu Teen USA to raising two children and building her own brand, she has shown that she is much more than a famous player’s wife. Her journey, with all its highs and lows, makes her one of the more compelling public figures in her space today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Montana Helena Klein Yao?
Montana Helena Klein Yao is an American model, beauty queen, and social media influencer. She is best known as the wife and later estranged spouse of NBA basketball player Malik Beasley.
2. How old is Montana Helena Klein Yao?
Montana was born on August 5, 1997, which makes her 27 years old as of 2025.
3. How many children does Montana Helena Klein Yao have?
She has two children with Malik Beasley. Her son, Makai Joseph Beasley, was born in March 2019, and her daughter, Mia Love Beasley, was born in November 2022.
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