Larsa Pippen & Marcus Jordan Address Backlash Over Their 16-Year Age Gap Romance: 'Age Is Just A Number'

Larsa Pippen defended the 16-year age gap between her and her boyfriend, Marcus Jordan, pointing out that it isn't an issue and that people also approve of their relationship. 

The couple's relationship has attracted significant scrutiny from the media and fans alike, leading to widespread speculation and unfounded rumors.

Marcus, son of basketball legend Michael Jordan, also came forward to defend her against allegations of being a "gold digger."

Read on for more details.

In response to the ongoing discussions surrounding their notable 16-year age gap, Larsa took the opportunity to defend her relationship with Marcus. Addressing the age difference head-on in an interview with E! News, the "bravolebrity" and her boyfriend, Marcus, asserted that age should not be a determining factor in the validity of their love.

Larsa confidently stated that most people in their lives, including friends and family, wholeheartedly approve of and support their union. She also explained that the connection she shares with Marcus goes beyond age and superficial judgments.

"I just feel like we meet somewhere in the middle. Age is just a number, but I think maturity and life experience really dictate the relationship," Marcus noted.

Larsa agreed, saying, "Everything we do, we have in common. We like the same things, we like to go to the same places. I feel like for us, it's very natural to be with each other. I don't really see the age part of it."

The television personality and former spouse of NBA icon, Scottie Pippen, has been under intense scrutiny since her relationship with 32-year-old Marcus became public. Critics have claimed that her involvement with Marcus is driven solely by financial motivations, referring to her previous relationships with high-profile athletes.

However, in an upcoming episode of Page Six's "Virtual Reali-Tea" podcast, Marcus addressed the unfounded accusations and stood up for his girlfriend.

"Yeah, I feel like people try to say Larsa's a gold digger and she's after the Jordan money or something," Marcus explained, as he agreed with Larsa on having her "own money."

The former college basketball player and entrepreneur highlighted that their connection extends beyond the public eye and monetary gains, describing her as an "independent" and "career-driven" woman.

"She's got it going on … It's the one comment or commentary that I've got to refrain from commenting back on," he added.

In a proactive move to regain control of the narrative surrounding their high-profile romance, Marcus and Larsa launched their podcast, "Separation Anxiety." 

According to Page Six, the podcast aims to provide a platform for the couple to share their side of the story, discuss their challenges, and dispel misconceptions, including the 16-year age gap between them. 

By engaging with their audience directly through the podcast format, the couple seeks to foster a deeper understanding of their relationship beyond the headlines and tabloid gossip.

"Us doing this podcast, it really was therapeutic for us. Like, 'Hey, let's talk about this,' or, 'People want to know about our age gap. Should we talk about that?' Because we really don't view age like that," the "Real Housewives of Miami" star explained.

"I've dated guys that are way older than me and I've dated guys that are younger than Marcus. So for me, it wasn't like I was so concerned about a 16-year age difference," she added.

Larsa shared that she was more concerned about maturity and if her potential partner "feels good" about himself.

The couple has taken deliberate steps to distance themselves from the highly publicized feud between their respective family members, Larsa's ex-husband Scottie Pippen, and Marcus's father, Michael Jordan.

Recognizing the longstanding history and tensions between the two NBA legends since their falling out in 2020 due in large part to ESPN's docuseries, "The Last Dance," the couple made it a priority to maintain their own separate and harmonious relationship, independent of any external conflicts.

"I think people want to make it worse than it actually is," Larsa said of the former Chicago Bulls teammate's relationship. "Like, feelings have been hurt. But I don't feel like that has anything to do with us."

"We're trying to stand on our own two feet and really establish ourselves both independently but also as a couple," Marcus added, noting that they plan to let the athletes "handle their business."