Nikki Bella – Biography, Husband, Kids, and Career in 2025

Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, known worldwide as Nikki Bella, rose to fame as one half of The Bella Twins alongside her identical twin sister Brie. Born on November 21, 1983, in San Diego, California, she built a career as a professional wrestler and television personality that spanned WWE championship reigns, reality shows, and a high-profile personal life. As of 2025, Nikki is a single mother to her son Matteo, having divorced Artem Chigvintsev in late 2024 after his arrest for domestic violence.

Her journey from a sheltered childhood on an Arizona farm to WWE Hall of Fame inductee and reality TV star has been marked by resilience, public relationships, and a transition into entrepreneurship. The following biography covers her personal life, career milestones, and current status based on confirmed details.

Who is Nikki Bella married to?

• Nikki Bella’s relationship journey from John Cena to Artem Chigvintsev
• Her engagement to John Cena in 2017 ended in 2018 due to differing views on children
• She married Artem Chigvintsev in August 2022 after meeting on Dancing with the Stars
• Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for felony domestic violence in August 2024, leading to divorce
• Nikki is currently a single mother co-parenting her son Matteo
• She has no verified connection to Cooper DeJean, a college football player

Nikki’s romantic history includes a long-term relationship with WWE superstar John Cena. They began dating in 2012, became engaged at WrestleMania 33 in April 2017, but ended the engagement in July 2018 because of disagreements about having children, according to Wikipedia. Shortly after, she began dating her Dancing with the Stars partner Artem Chigvintsev in January 2019. They got engaged in January 2020 and married on August 26, 2022.

On August 29, 2024, Chigvintsev was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge involving corporal injury to a spouse. Nikki filed for divorce on September 11, 2024, and the divorce was finalized by early 2025, as reported by Bored Panda. She now describes herself as a single mother focusing on co-parenting their son.

Does Nikki Bella have children?

Yes, Nikki Bella has one son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev, born on July 31, 2020. He is her only child. Nikki and Brie Bella were both pregnant at the same time in 2020, a storyline featured on their reality show Total Bellas.

Nikki’s twin sister Brie also has two children: daughter Birdie (born May 2017) and son Buddy (born August 2020), with her husband Bryan Danielson (known as Daniel Bryan). The sisters have often shared their parenting experiences publicly.

What are the Bella Twins?

The Bella Twins are the professional wrestling tag team of Nikki Bella and her twin sister Brie Bella. They debuted in WWE in 2007 after signing with Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). Their official in-ring debut took place on September 15, 2007, defeating Nattie Neidhart and Krissy Vaine.

WWE achievements

• Nikki is a two-time WWE Divas Champion and holds the record for the longest single reign at 301 days.
• The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021 (Class of 2020).
• In March 2023, both sisters announced their WWE contracts had expired and they would not renew, transitioning into new ventures.

Reality television

The twins became pop culture icons through reality TV. They starred in Total Divas starting in 2013 and later launched their own spinoff, Total Bellas, in 2016. The shows followed their personal and professional lives, including pregnancies and relationships. Nikki also won Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars with partner Artem Chigvintsev.

How can I follow Nikki Bella on Instagram?

Nikki Bella maintains a verified Instagram account under the handle @thnikkibella. As of 2025, it has approximately 2.1 thousand followers (the number may be outdated or reflect a private account, but the handle remains active). She shares updates on her life as a single mother, her fitness journey, and her entrepreneurial ventures.

The Bella Twins also have joint social media channels and co-host “The Bellas Podcast.” Nikki has previously used Instagram to engage with fans about her son Matteo, her workouts, and her brand Birdie Bee. For official career updates, WWE still lists her as a superstar on WWE.com.

What was Nikki Bella’s early life like?

Nikki and her twin sister Brie (who is 16 minutes younger) grew up on a farm in Scottsdale, Arizona. Their parents, Jon Garcia and Kathy Colace, raised them in a relatively sheltered environment. The family also includes a younger brother, JJ Garcia. According to Biography, the twins’ competitive spirit and family orientation helped them navigate personal traumas and a difficult childhood.

Before entering the wrestling world, Nikki worked as a waitress and model. She moved to Los Angeles with Brie to pursue acting and fitness careers, eventually catching the attention of WWE scouts. Their early life on the farm instilled a strong work ethic that later fueled their rise in professional wrestling and television. For more on inspiring journeys, see Dani Dyer – Full Biography, Children, Husband and Love Island Win.

What is the timeline of Nikki Bella’s life and career?

1. 1983: Born in San Diego, California.
2. 2007: Signed with WWE and debuted in Florida Championship Wrestling.
3. 2008: The Bella Twins storyline officially began on WWE programming.
4. 2013–2018: On‑off relationship with John Cena, including an engagement at WrestleMania 33 (2017).
5. 2016: Total Bellas reality show premiered.
6. 2019: Started dating Artem Chigvintsev after winning Dancing with the Stars.
7. 2020: Gave birth to son Matteo on July 31.
8. 2022: Married Artem Chigvintsev in Paris on August 26.
9. 2023: WWE contract expired; left the company in March.
10. 2024: Chigvintsev arrested for domestic violence; Nikki filed for divorce.

What information about Nikki Bella is confirmed and what remains unclear?

What is the broader context of Nikki Bella’s career?

Nikki Bella emerged during a transformative period in women’s wrestling known as the “Divas Revolution.” Her record-breaking 301-day reign as WWE Divas Champion helped elevate the women’s division. The Bella Twins brought mainstream attention to WWE through reality television, bridging sports entertainment and pop culture.

After leaving WWE in 2023, Nikki shifted focus to entrepreneurship. She and Brie launched the Birdie Bee brand and other ventures, positioning themselves as “mompreneurs.” Nikki’s estimated net worth is $8 million, according to recent reports. Her public profile has also been shaped by her relationships, particularly with John Cena and Artem Chigvintsev.

Where can I find reliable sources about Nikki Bella?

“The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021, recognizing their contributions to women’s wrestling and their impact on popular culture.”

— Biography.com

“Nikki Bella is currently enjoying life as a single mother and focusing on co-parenting Matteo.”

— Bored Panda

Trusted outlets such as Wikipedia, WWE.com, IMDb, and Instagram provide ongoing updates about her life and work. For personal milestones, media outlets like People and Bored Panda have covered her marriage and divorce. The YouTube video from her personal channel also provides insight into her life as a single mother.

What is the overall summary of Nikki Bella’s biography?

Nikki Bella, born Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, is a former WWE Divas Champion, reality TV star, and entrepreneur. She gained fame alongside her twin sister Brie as The Bella Twins. After a high-profile relationship with John Cena, she married and divorced Artem Chigvintsev, with whom she shares a son, Matteo. As of 2025, Nikki is focused on motherhood, her businesses, and occasional WWE appearances. Her story reflects resilience, reinvention, and the challenges of life in the public eye. Explore Famous People – Who Is the Most Famous of All Time? Rankings & Birthdays for more celebrity biographies.

Frequently asked questions about Nikki Bella