Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Troy Fautanu’s family includes his fiancée, Carys Zayda, his parents, Fautanu “John” Fautanu and Ma Fautanu, and his younger sister, Tyramae Fautanu. Born on October 11, 2000, Fautanu is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL).
Raised in Henderson, Nevada, Fautanu comes from a close-knit Polynesian family with Samoan and Tongan heritage. His parents, sister, and grandparents have played important roles in his development, providing the encouragement that helped him progress from Liberty High School to the University of Washington and eventually the NFL.
Beyond his football achievements, Fautanu celebrated an important personal milestone in July 2026 when he announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Carys Zayda, whom he had been dating since high school.
Here is everything publicly known about Troy Fautanu’s fiancée, children, parents, and siblings, including his family’s cultural background and the influence of his grandparents.
Troy Fautanu’s Girlfriend: Who Is Carys Zayda?
Carys Zayda is Troy Fautanu’s longtime girlfriend and now his fiancée. The couple announced their engagement in July 2026 after dating for approximately eight years.
Their relationship began in August 2018, when Fautanu was attending Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada.
Unlike many professional athletes whose relationships begin after they become famous, Fautanu and Zayda have been together since before his college football career.
Carys supported him throughout his time at the University of Washington, his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and his transition to professional football with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
She was also present during his draft celebration in April 2024, when Pittsburgh selected him with the 20th overall pick.
As of now, Troy Fautanu and Carys Zayda remain publicly identified as an engaged couple. No verified announcement of their wedding has been reported.
Who Is Carys Zayda?
Carys Zayda became publicly recognized through her relationship with Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.
She grew up in the Las Vegas area and has pursued an education in nursing.
According to an April 2024 profile published by Pro Football Network, Carys attended Nevada State University in Henderson, Nevada, where she studied nursing.
Although some more recent online biographies have associated her with other nursing programs, her latest educational affiliation has not been independently verified.
Carys has occasionally shared photographs of herself and Fautanu through social media, including celebrations, vacations, and important milestones.
However, she has generally maintained a lower public profile than her NFL-playing partner.
How Did Troy Fautanu and Carys Zayda Meet?
Troy Fautanu and Carys Zayda began their relationship during their high school years in Nevada.
According to Pro Football Network, the couple started dating around August 8, 2018.
Their relationship became visible through social media photographs from school events, including a homecoming celebration in October 2018.
After high school, Fautanu moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, while Carys remained connected to the Las Vegas area.
Despite the distance, the couple maintained their relationship.
On August 8, 2023, Fautanu celebrated their fifth anniversary through Instagram, expressing appreciation for having Carys by his side throughout their journey.
The relationship continued as Fautanu completed his college career and prepared for the NFL.
In April 2024, Carys joined his family and friends during his NFL Draft celebration in Nevada.
After learning that Pittsburgh had selected him, Fautanu embraced his grandmothers, parents, sister, and girlfriend.
The celebration highlighted how important Carys had become in his personal life.
When Did Troy Fautanu and Carys Zayda Get Engaged?
Troy Fautanu and Carys Zayda announced their engagement in July 2026.
According to Steelers Now, the offensive tackle revealed through Instagram that he had proposed to his longtime girlfriend.
On July 4, 2026, Carys shared photographs of the proposal and celebrated their engagement with the caption “Future Mr. & Mrs.”
Fautanu also expressed his excitement about spending the future together.
The announcement attracted attention from Pittsburgh Steelers fans because the couple had been together since high school.
Their engagement represented another important milestone in a relationship that had continued through college football, the NFL Draft, and Fautanu’s professional career.
Is Troy Fautanu Married?
As of now, Troy Fautanu has not publicly confirmed a marriage.
Although he became engaged to Carys Zayda in July 2026, no widely verified announcement identifies the couple as legally married.
The exact date and location of their future wedding have not been publicly established.
Consequently, Carys is best described as Fautanu’s fiancée rather than his wife.
Troy Fautanu’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Troy Fautanu has no publicly confirmed children. The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle has not announced the birth or adoption of a son or daughter.
His official NFL and University of Washington football biographies do not identify any children.
There is also no reliable public reporting establishing that he and Carys Zayda have become parents.
Although their engagement generated considerable attention in July 2026, neither has publicly announced having children together.
Whether the couple plans to start a family after their marriage remains a personal matter that they have not discussed extensively.
Troy Fautanu’s Parents: Meet John and Ma Fautanu
Troy Fautanu’s parents are Fautanu “John” Fautanu and Ma Fautanu. They raised him and his younger sister, Tyramae, in a family with strong Samoan and Tongan cultural traditions.
Both parents have been publicly identified by the Pittsburgh Steelers and attended their son’s introductory press conference following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fautanu has repeatedly acknowledged the sacrifices they made to help him pursue football.
In a May 2024 interview with the Steelers, he explained that his relatives provided the foundation that allowed him to take advantage of opportunities throughout his life.
Troy Fautanu’s Father: Fautanu “John” Fautanu
Fautanu “John” Fautanu is Troy Fautanu’s father and one of his most important supporters.
John has a strong connection to American football, although his favorite NFL team is the San Francisco 49ers rather than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to an interview published by the Steelers on May 6, 2024, John encouraged his son to appreciate the 49ers because the family previously lived in the San Francisco Bay Area.
However, Troy developed an interest in the Steelers during childhood.
His favorite player was legendary Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu, whose Polynesian heritage and outstanding NFL career made him an especially meaningful role model.
Although John hoped his son would eventually support San Francisco, he respected Troy’s enthusiasm for Pittsburgh.
He continued buying Steelers merchandise for his son during birthdays and Christmas celebrations.
John Fautanu Supported His Son’s Football Dreams
John Fautanu supported Troy throughout his childhood and high school football career.
When Troy developed into a leading offensive line prospect at Liberty High School, his father helped encourage him to pursue opportunities at major college programs.
During his time at the University of Washington, his parents remained interested in his academic and athletic progress.
John was particularly proud when Pittsburgh selected Troy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Following the selection, John accompanied his son to Pittsburgh and toured the Steelers’ training facilities.
During the visit, he discussed the family’s longstanding connection to football and expressed his surprise that Troy had been drafted by the team he supported since childhood.
John also emphasized the importance of faith and family in his son’s upbringing.
Although detailed information about John’s current occupation and education remains limited, his influence on Troy’s personal development is well documented.
Troy Fautanu’s Mother: Ma Fautanu
Ma Fautanu is Troy Fautanu’s mother and another important influence on his life.
She raised Troy and his sister Tyramae in Nevada alongside her husband.
Ma has been actively involved in supporting Troy’s athletic development, attending major football events and celebrating his achievements.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, she joined other family members and friends at a celebration in the Las Vegas Valley.
According to a report published by KTNV Las Vegas, Ma expressed her excitement and gratitude after Pittsburgh selected her son.
She also traveled to Pittsburgh for his introductory press conference, joining John and Tyramae as they toured the team’s facilities.
Fautanu has frequently acknowledged how important his mother and other female relatives have been throughout his upbringing.
His strong connection to his mother is reflected in his appreciation for the family values passed down through generations.
Although Ma has appeared in interviews and family photographs, detailed information about her profession and educational background has not been reliably established.
Troy Fautanu’s Siblings: Meet His Sister Tyramae Fautanu
Troy Fautanu has one publicly confirmed sibling, his younger sister Tyramae Fautanu.
Her identity is documented in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ official family coverage and reporting following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Both siblings grew up in a household where family gatherings, religious traditions, and sports were important aspects of daily life.
Tyramae Fautanu: Troy Fautanu’s Younger Sister
Tyramae Fautanu is Troy Fautanu’s younger sister and the daughter of John and Ma Fautanu.
She grew up in the Las Vegas area alongside her older brother.
Unlike Troy, who became nationally recognized through college and professional football, Tyramae has maintained a relatively private personal life.
Nevertheless, she has participated in important family celebrations connected to his football achievements.
In April 2024, Tyramae attended her brother’s NFL Draft celebration.
After Pittsburgh selected Troy, he celebrated with his relatives and girlfriend before preparing to travel to his new NFL team.
Tyramae subsequently accompanied her parents and brother to Pittsburgh for his introductory press conference.
The family’s participation demonstrated their close relationship and shared excitement about his professional achievements.
As of now, reliable details about Tyramae’s education, professional career, and personal relationships remain limited.
Does Troy Fautanu Have a Brother?
No brother of Troy Fautanu has been reliably identified through the official Steelers interviews and family profiles reviewed for this article.
Public reporting consistently identifies Tyramae Fautanu as his sister.
However, the absence of additional names in official biographies does not independently establish every possible family relationship.
Troy Fautanu’s Grandparents: Amelia Fautanu and Maluapapa Lemalu
Two of the most influential members of Troy Fautanu’s family are his grandmothers, Amelia Fautanu and Maluapapa Lemalu.
Both women helped raise him and were present during his memorable NFL Draft celebration in April 2024.
According to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fautanu spent much of his childhood living with his paternal grandmother, Amelia.
His maternal grandmother, Maluapapa, also lived with the family at different times.
The arrangement reflected the importance of extended family relationships in their Polynesian cultural traditions.
Amelia Fautanu: Troy Fautanu’s Paternal Grandmother
Amelia K. Fautanu was Troy Fautanu’s paternal grandmother.
She played an important role in his upbringing, providing guidance and emotional support throughout his childhood.
In a May 2024 interview with the Steelers, Troy explained that he had spent considerable time living with Amelia.
She was one of the first people he embraced after learning that Pittsburgh had selected him in the NFL Draft.
The moment attracted attention because of the special place his grandparents held in his life.
According to an obituary published by Palm Eastern Mortuary and Cemetery, Amelia was born on March 31, 1943, and passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 82.
Her funeral service took place in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026.
Amelia’s role in helping raise Troy remains an important part of his family story.
Maluapapa Lemalu: Troy Fautanu’s Maternal Grandmother
Maluapapa Lemalu is Troy Fautanu’s maternal grandmother.
Like Amelia, she has been an important presence throughout his upbringing.
Fautanu explained that his maternal grandmother sometimes lived with his immediate family and remained closely involved in his life.
He also described visiting his grandmothers whenever he returned home because they were not particularly comfortable communicating through modern technology.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, Maluapapa was the first person Fautanu embraced after his selection was announced.
He subsequently hugged Amelia before celebrating with his parents, sister, and girlfriend.
His decision to include both grandmothers in the celebration demonstrated their importance in his personal life.
Troy Fautanu’s Ethnicity and Polynesian Family Heritage
Troy Fautanu has Samoan and Tongan heritage.
His cultural background has been highlighted in several interviews published by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fautanu grew up in a family where respect for elders, religious faith, and close relationships with extended relatives were emphasized.
These traditions were reflected in his household, where multiple generations sometimes lived together.
His upbringing also helped him develop a sense of responsibility toward the relatives who supported him.
In a May 2024 interview, Fautanu explained that he wanted to give back to his family because of the sacrifices they made while raising him.
His Polynesian background also contributed to his admiration for former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu, who has Samoan heritage, became one of Fautanu’s childhood sporting heroes.
Fautanu admired not only his ability on the football field but also his humility and attitude toward the game.
This connection helped inspire his early interest in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
How Troy Fautanu’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Troy Fautanu grew up in Henderson, Nevada, where he attended Liberty High School.
He developed an early interest in football and initially played several positions, including fullback, defensive end, and tight end.
However, his athletic future changed when Liberty’s coaching staff encouraged him to become an offensive lineman.
According to a May 2024 Las Vegas Sun profile, the position change initially frustrated both Fautanu and his parents.
The family eventually accepted the coaching staff’s recommendation because it offered Troy an opportunity to become a starting player.
Although offensive line was not initially his preferred position, Fautanu gradually developed into one of Nevada’s leading high school prospects.
During his senior season in 2018, he earned first-team All-Nevada recognition and helped Liberty advance to the state playoffs.
His performances attracted attention from several major college football programs.
Fautanu eventually committed to the University of Washington, where he continued developing as an offensive lineman.
Troy Fautanu’s College Football Career at Washington
Fautanu joined the Washington Huskies football program in 2019.
After developing his skills during his early college years, he became a regular starter on the offensive line.
During the 2022 season, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition.
His performances improved further in 2023, when he started all 15 games at left tackle.
Washington finished the season with a 14-1 record and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Fautanu earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and won the Morris Trophy, awarded to the conference’s leading offensive lineman.
He also received third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press.
His outstanding college career established him as one of the leading offensive line prospects entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
Troy Fautanu’s Family Celebrated His Selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers
On April 25, 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Troy Fautanu in the first round of the NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick.
The announcement fulfilled a childhood dream for a player who had supported Pittsburgh since he was young.
Rather than attending the draft in Detroit, Fautanu celebrated in Las Vegas with his family, friends, and former coaches.
The decision allowed his grandmothers and other important relatives to attend the event.
After receiving the telephone call from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, Fautanu embraced his grandmothers, parents, younger sister, and girlfriend.
His family subsequently traveled to Pittsburgh, where they toured the team’s training facilities.
For John Fautanu, who supported the San Francisco 49ers, seeing his son join the Steelers was an unexpected but emotional achievement.
For Troy, the experience represented the fulfillment of a dream that had begun when he admired Troy Polamalu during childhood.
His rookie season was limited by a knee injury, but he returned in 2025 and started all 17 regular-season games for Pittsburgh.
He continued as a member of the Steelers’ offensive line during the 2026 season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Troy Fautanu’s Family
Who is Troy Fautanu’s girlfriend?
Troy Fautanu’s longtime girlfriend is Carys Zayda. The couple began dating around August 2018 and announced their engagement in July 2026.
Who is Troy Fautanu’s fiancée?
His fiancée is Carys Zayda, a former Nevada State University nursing student who has supported him since his high school football career.
Is Troy Fautanu married?
As of now, Troy Fautanu has not publicly confirmed a marriage. He announced his engagement to Carys Zayda in July 2026.
Does Troy Fautanu have children?
As of now, Troy Fautanu has no publicly confirmed biological or adopted children.
Who are Troy Fautanu’s parents?
Troy Fautanu’s parents are Fautanu “John” Fautanu and Ma Fautanu. They raised him and his younger sister in Nevada.
Who is Troy Fautanu’s father?
His father is Fautanu “John” Fautanu, a longtime San Francisco 49ers supporter who helped encourage his son’s football ambitions.
Who is Troy Fautanu’s mother?
His mother is Ma Fautanu, who has supported his football career and attended his NFL Draft celebration in April 2024.
How many siblings does Troy Fautanu have?
Troy Fautanu has one publicly confirmed sibling, his younger sister Tyramae Fautanu.
Who is Troy Fautanu’s sister?
His younger sister is Tyramae Fautanu. She joined her parents and brother during Pittsburgh’s introductory activities following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Does Troy Fautanu have a brother?
No brother has been reliably identified in his official Steelers family interviews or other authoritative public reporting.
Who are Troy Fautanu’s grandmothers?
His grandmothers are Amelia Fautanu and Maluapapa Lemalu. Both helped raise him and attended his 2024 NFL Draft celebration. Amelia passed away in December 2025.
What is Troy Fautanu’s ethnicity?
Troy Fautanu has Samoan and Tongan heritage. His Polynesian cultural background emphasizes family connections, faith, and respect for elders.
Where did Troy Fautanu grow up?
Troy Fautanu grew up in Henderson, Nevada, where he attended Liberty High School before playing college football at the University of Washington.
How old is Troy Fautanu?
Troy Fautanu was born on October 11, 2000, making him 26 years old as of now.
What NFL team does Troy Fautanu play for?
Troy Fautanu plays offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
