Last Updated on October 7, 2026 by Candida Lucia
Tiago Splitter comes from a close-knit Brazilian family whose support has followed him from his childhood in Santa Catarina to a championship-winning NBA career and, later, coaching at the highest level of basketball. Born Tiago Splitter Beims on January 1, 1985, in Joinville, Brazil, he is the son of Cássio and Elisabeth Splitter.
Family has been central to some of the most important and difficult moments of Splitter’s life. His younger sister Michelle was a talented basketball player who died from leukemia at only 19, while his brother Marcelo later helped Tiago during a difficult period of injury rehabilitation. Splitter has also built a family of his own. He is married to Fernanda Splitter and is a father, with his children including Benjamin and Sofia from his first marriage and younger children who have largely been kept outside the public spotlight.
Who Is Tiago Splitter’s Wife?
Tiago Splitter’s wife is Fernanda Splitter. The couple married in 2017, approximately a year after the end of Splitter’s first marriage.
Fernanda has accompanied Tiago through his transition from professional player to NBA scout, assistant coach and head coach. When Globo Esporte profiled Splitter in 2018, the couple was living together in New York while he worked with the Brooklyn Nets.
More recent reporting shows that the marriage has continued through the international moves required by Splitter’s coaching career. During his season as head coach of Paris Basketball, UOL reported that Tiago lived in Paris with Fernanda and their children.
Splitter has repeatedly explained that family has become a higher priority as he has grown older. In 2025, while discussing the difficulties of balancing club coaching with work for the Brazilian national team, he said that his children and family responsibilities now influence his professional decisions much more than they did when he was a player.
As of now, Tiago Splitter remains publicly identified as married to Fernanda Splitter.
Who Is Fernanda Splitter?
Fernanda Splitter is Tiago Splitter’s second wife. She has generally maintained a lower public profile than her husband, although she has occasionally appeared alongside him through social media and during important moments in his post-playing career.
Unlike Tiago, Fernanda is not primarily known through professional basketball. The couple appears to have deliberately kept much of their home life private, particularly information concerning their younger children.
That privacy became more noticeable as Splitter moved between coaching positions in the United States and Europe. Rather than regularly sharing detailed information about his wife and children, he has usually discussed them collectively when explaining how important family time is to him.
Who Was Tiago Splitter’s First Wife?
Before marrying Fernanda, Tiago Splitter was married to Amaia Amescua.
Splitter met Amaia during the long period of his career in Spain. The couple married in July 2010, the same year Splitter left Europe to begin his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs.
They subsequently became parents to two children, Benjamin and Sofia.
The marriage ended in 2016. Splitter filed for divorce after approximately six years of marriage, with court reporting at the time confirming that the former couple shared two children.
After the divorce, Splitter married Fernanda in 2017.
Does Tiago Splitter Have Children?
Yes. Tiago Splitter is a father and has spoken increasingly about the importance of his children as his coaching career has progressed.
Two of his children are well documented from his marriage to Amaia Amescua: Benjamin Splitter and Sofia Splitter.
More recent reporting indicates that Splitter’s family subsequently expanded. A UOL profile published during his time coaching Paris Basketball reported that Tiago was living in Paris with Fernanda and two younger children, described at the time as a six-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son.
The younger children’s names have not been consistently confirmed by major sports outlets, and Splitter appears to protect their privacy. For that reason, it is better not to rely on social-media-based claims about their names.
Who Is Tiago Splitter’s Son, Benjamin?
Benjamin Splitter is Tiago’s eldest publicly documented child. He was born in 2012 during Splitter’s career with the San Antonio Spurs.
Benjamin became visible to basketball fans during one of the greatest moments of his father’s playing career.
When San Antonio defeated the Miami Heat to win the 2014 NBA championship, Tiago celebrated on the court with his young son. Photographs showed Splitter holding Benjamin following Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
The moment was especially meaningful because Splitter became the first Brazilian-born player to win an NBA championship.
Later that year, Tiago discussed the difficulty of being an NBA father. He explained that the league’s demanding travel schedule sometimes kept him away from Benjamin for more than 100 days during a season.
Who Is Tiago Splitter’s Daughter, Sofia?
Sofia Splitter is Tiago Splitter’s daughter from his first marriage to Amaia Amescua.
Sofia was born in 2016, the same year her parents separated. Court reporting surrounding the divorce confirmed that Benjamin and Sofia were the couple’s two children.
Unlike Benjamin, who appeared publicly during the Spurs’ championship celebrations, Sofia has generally remained outside the sports spotlight.
Splitter has not made detailed information about her private life a regular part of his public profile.
Does Tiago Splitter Have Children With Fernanda?
Recent reporting strongly indicates that Tiago’s current household with Fernanda includes two younger children.
In a profile covering his coaching career with Paris Basketball, UOL reported that Splitter was living in the French capital with Fernanda and two children, a daughter who was six years old and a son who was five at the time.
Splitter described spending his limited free time playing with the children, including building with Lego, watching Disney programming and playing whatever games interested them.
Because major sources have not consistently published the younger children’s names, the safest approach is to respect the family’s privacy rather than repeat names based only on secondary websites or social media.
Who Are Tiago Splitter’s Parents?
Tiago Splitter’s parents are Cássio Splitter and Elisabeth Splitter.
Both played major roles in supporting Tiago after he left Brazil for Spain at only 15 years old. That move meant the family had to adapt to Tiago living thousands of kilometers away while still in his teens.
The family later faced an even greater challenge when Tiago’s younger sister Michelle was diagnosed with leukemia.
Tiago has repeatedly credited his parents with helping hold the family together during that extremely difficult period.
Who Is Tiago Splitter’s Father, Cássio Splitter?
Cássio Splitter is Tiago Splitter’s father.
Cássio has remained supportive throughout Tiago’s basketball career, following his games even when his son was playing overseas.
When Tiago became an NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, Cássio spoke publicly about the pride he felt watching his son become the first Brazilian-born player to win the league championship.
He and Elisabeth frequently followed Tiago’s games from Brazil, often using NBA League Pass because of the geographic distance.
Cássio Splitter and the Family’s Jewish Roots
Cássio has also been central to documenting the Splitter family’s European and Jewish ancestry.
Reuters reported that he spent decades researching the family tree. According to that research, one of his ancestors, Johann Splitter, emigrated from Germany to Brazil around 1870.
Other members of the extended family remained in Europe, and Cássio discovered that six relatives were killed during the Holocaust at Auschwitz.
Tiago was raised as a Christian, but his father regularly told him about the family’s Jewish ancestry. During a 2007 trip to Israel with Baskonia, Tiago carried information supplied by his father as part of the family’s continuing effort to learn more about its history.
Who Is Tiago Splitter’s Mother, Elisabeth Splitter?
Elisabeth Splitter is Tiago Splitter’s mother.
She has been one of the most important figures in the family’s story, particularly during Michelle Splitter’s battle with leukemia.
When Michelle required prolonged cancer treatment in Campinas, Elisabeth temporarily left her normal life in Santa Catarina and stayed near her daughter for an extended period.
Tiago later recalled that his mother effectively spent years supporting Michelle through treatment, sometimes sleeping in a chair at the hospital.
That experience deeply affected the entire Splitter family and shaped Tiago’s understanding of sacrifice and family responsibility.
How Tiago Splitter’s Parents Supported His Career
Tiago left Brazil at approximately 15 years old to continue his basketball development in Spain.
Living abroad so young required considerable trust from Cássio and Elisabeth, who remained in Brazil while their son entered Baskonia’s development structure.
Although the distance was difficult, his parents continued traveling to see him when possible.
After Michelle’s death in February 2009, Cássio and Elisabeth surprised Tiago by traveling to Spain. Their presence became especially emotional when Splitter helped Baskonia win the Spanish Copa del Rey only weeks after losing his sister.
Tiago later described that period as one of the most difficult experiences of his life.
Who Are Tiago Splitter’s Siblings?
Tiago Splitter has publicly discussed two siblings: his late sister Michelle Splitter and his brother Marcelo.
Both have played meaningful roles in his personal story, although in very different circumstances.
Michelle followed Tiago into competitive basketball and became one of Brazil’s promising young centers before illness ended her career and life. Marcelo has maintained a much more private profile but has appeared in Tiago’s own accounts of important family moments.
Who Was Tiago Splitter’s Sister, Michelle Splitter?
Michelle Splitter was Tiago Splitter’s younger sister and a highly regarded basketball player.
Standing approximately 1.98 meters tall, Michelle played center and became one of the promising prospects in Brazilian women’s basketball.
She played for Americana and represented Brazil at youth level. In 2008, FIBA reported that she had been named to Brazil’s senior squad for the South American Championship.
Her rise was particularly remarkable because she had already spent years battling leukemia.
Michelle Splitter’s Battle With Leukemia
Michelle was first diagnosed with leukemia in 2004.
She underwent approximately three years of treatment and eventually returned to basketball in 2007. Her recovery appeared successful enough for her to resume playing professionally and earn opportunities with the Brazilian national program.
Unfortunately, the cancer later returned.
Michelle underwent additional treatment in Campinas while her mother, Elisabeth, stayed close by. Tiago was playing in Spain during much of this period but frequently returned and remained closely involved with the family.
Michelle died in February 2009 at only 19 years old.
How Michelle Splitter’s Death Affected Tiago
Tiago has described Michelle’s death as one of the most painful experiences of his life.
At the time, he was one of Europe’s leading basketball players and was preparing for major games with Baskonia.
He later explained that basketball temporarily became one of the few places where he could stop thinking about his grief.
Shortly after Michelle’s death, Splitter helped Baskonia win the Copa del Rey and dedicated the achievement to his family.
Years later, Tiago continued discussing his sister openly when explaining the sacrifices and emotional challenges that shaped his career.
Who Is Tiago Splitter’s Brother, Marcelo?
Marcelo is Tiago Splitter’s brother.
He has remained far more private than Tiago and Michelle, and major sports publications provide little information about his professional life.
However, Tiago has confirmed Marcelo’s presence during several significant family moments.
He recalled that Michelle once traveled with their brother to spend Christmas with him in Spain before her illness became more serious.
Marcelo was also with Tiago during an especially difficult period following surgery late in the former center’s playing career.
How Marcelo Helped Tiago During His Injury Recovery
Tiago endured severe hip problems toward the end of his NBA career.
After surgery, he had difficulty completing ordinary daily activities. In his own account of the rehabilitation process, Splitter said his brother Marcelo stayed with him at the hospital and helped him with practically everything.
That included basic activities such as walking, bathing and moving around while Tiago could support himself on only one leg.
The experience provides another example of the unusually strong family support Splitter has repeatedly credited throughout his life.
Tiago Splitter’s Family Background in Brazil
Splitter was born in Joinville and grew up in Santa Catarina, particularly around Blumenau, where his early basketball development took place.
His parents were unusually tall—reports around his NBA championship noted that his mother stood approximately 1.80 meters and his father around two meters tall.
Tiago eventually grew to approximately 2.11 meters, while Michelle also reached almost two meters and became a basketball center.
That physical background helped both siblings pursue the sport, although Tiago’s path became international at a particularly young age.
How Tiago Splitter Started His Basketball Career
Splitter began his professional development in Brazil before moving to Spain at only 15.
He joined Baskonia’s system and spent much of the next decade developing into one of Europe’s leading centers.
He became Liga ACB MVP in 2010 and won multiple championships before finally joining the San Antonio Spurs.
The Spurs had selected him with the 28th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft but waited several years for Splitter to complete his European commitments.
Tiago Splitter’s Family and the 2014 NBA Championship
The 2014 NBA Finals became one of the happiest moments in the Splitter family’s history.
San Antonio defeated the Miami Heat in five games, making Tiago the first Brazilian-born player to win an NBA championship.
His young son Benjamin joined him on the court after the title-clinching game, creating one of the most memorable family images from Splitter’s playing career.
His parents watched his achievements from Brazil and spoke proudly about how far their son had progressed since leaving home as a teenager.
For Tiago, the championship also carried emotional meaning because his family had supported him through his sister’s illness, years abroad and the physical demands of professional basketball.
How Fatherhood Changed Tiago Splitter
Splitter has become increasingly open about how being a father changed his priorities.
During his playing career, he spoke about the frustration of spending long periods away from Benjamin because of the NBA schedule.
His transition into coaching created a different but equally demanding travel schedule.
While coaching in Paris, Tiago said that whenever he could disconnect from basketball, his priority was reconnecting with his children.
He described getting on the floor to play, building Lego sets, watching Disney programming and participating in whatever activities made them happy.
By 2025, Splitter openly said that family now came before opportunities to add additional basketball commitments to an already demanding NBA or European season.
Tiago Splitter’s Family and His Coaching Career
After retiring as a player in 2018 because of persistent hip problems, Splitter moved into coaching and player development.
He worked with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets before becoming head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024.
In France, Splitter led Paris to major domestic success before returning to the NBA.
He subsequently coached the Portland Trail Blazers and, in June 2026, was named head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
The move created another major transition for a family already accustomed to following Tiago between Brazil, Spain, the United States and France.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tiago Splitter’s Family
Who are Tiago Splitter’s parents?
Tiago Splitter’s parents are Cássio and Elisabeth Splitter. They raised their family in Santa Catarina, Brazil, and supported Tiago after he moved to Spain at only 15 years old.
Who is Tiago Splitter’s father?
Tiago Splitter’s father is Cássio Splitter. He has spent decades researching the family’s European ancestry and discovered that several relatives were killed during the Holocaust.
Who is Tiago Splitter’s mother?
Tiago Splitter’s mother is Elisabeth Splitter. She played an especially important role caring for Tiago’s sister Michelle throughout her lengthy treatment for leukemia.
Who is Tiago Splitter’s wife?
Tiago Splitter’s current wife is Fernanda Splitter. They married in 2017 and have remained together through his coaching career in the United States and Europe.
Who was Tiago Splitter’s first wife?
Tiago Splitter’s first wife was Amaia Amescua. They married in 2010, had two children, Benjamin and Sofia, and separated in 2016.
How many children does Tiago Splitter have?
Public reporting clearly identifies Benjamin and Sofia from Splitter’s first marriage. More recent reporting also documents two younger children living with Tiago and Fernanda. This indicates that Splitter is the father of at least four children, although the younger children’s names have not been consistently confirmed by major publications.
Who is Tiago Splitter’s son Benjamin?
Benjamin is Tiago Splitter’s eldest publicly documented son, born in 2012. He famously celebrated on the court with his father after the San Antonio Spurs won the 2014 NBA championship.
Who is Tiago Splitter’s daughter Sofia?
Sofia is Tiago Splitter’s daughter from his marriage to Amaia Amescua. She was born in 2016 and has largely remained outside the public spotlight.
Who was Tiago Splitter’s sister?
Tiago Splitter’s sister was Michelle Splitter, a promising Brazilian basketball player. She battled leukemia for several years and died in February 2009 at 19 years old.
Did Michelle Splitter play basketball?
Yes. Michelle played center, competed for Americana and represented Brazil at youth level. She was also selected to the Brazilian senior national-team setup before her illness returned.
Does Tiago Splitter have a brother?
Yes. Tiago Splitter has a brother named Marcelo. Tiago has spoken publicly about Marcelo supporting him during family events and helping him during a difficult surgical recovery late in his playing career.
Is Tiago Splitter married?
Yes. As of now, Tiago Splitter is married to Fernanda Splitter, whom he married in 2017.
Where is Tiago Splitter’s family from?
Splitter’s immediate family is from Santa Catarina, Brazil. Tiago was born in Joinville and developed as a young basketball player in the Blumenau area before leaving for Spain as a teenager.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
