Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Jordan Mailata’s family has played an important role in his journey from Australian rugby league to the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle, whose full birth name is Lafoga Jordan Mailata, was born on March 31, 1997, in Bankstown, New South Wales, Australia, to parents of Samoan descent.
Mailata grew up in a close-knit household with his parents, three brothers, and one sister. His upbringing emphasized hard work, discipline, cultural traditions, and loyalty to family.
Beyond his successful football career, Mailata is married to attorney Niki Ikahihifo-Bender. Here is everything publicly known about Jordan Mailata’s wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Jordan Mailata’s Wife: Who Is Niki Ikahihifo-Bender?
Jordan Mailata’s wife is Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata, an American attorney with a background in law and ties to Alaska.
The couple first met in 2018 at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, shortly after Mailata joined the Eagles. Niki was visiting Philadelphia for her father’s medical school reunion when their paths crossed.
Their relationship developed over the following years, with Niki supporting Mailata as he established himself as a professional American football player.
In May 2022, Mailata proposed to Niki at Reading Terminal Market, returning to the location where their relationship began.
They married in July 2023, celebrating their union with family, friends, and several Philadelphia Eagles teammates.
The wedding celebrations reflected their Polynesian cultural backgrounds. Mailata, who is also known for his singing ability, performed romantic songs for his bride during the festivities.
Niki attended law school at Duke University and has worked in intellectual property law. She has also supported her husband’s charitable activities and professional career.
In 2026, Jordan and Niki launched the Mailata Family Foundation, an initiative designed to provide educational opportunities, mentorship, and resources for young people in Philadelphia.
As of now, Jordan Mailata and Niki remain publicly recognized as a married couple, and they continue to participate in community initiatives together.
Jordan Mailata’s Children: Does He Have Kids?
As of now, there is no publicly confirmed information establishing that Jordan Mailata has children.
Although Mailata and his wife occasionally share aspects of their personal lives through interviews and public appearances, they have not made a widely documented announcement confirming the birth of a son or daughter.
The couple’s work with young people through the Mailata Family Foundation reflects their commitment to helping future generations, but this charitable involvement should not be confused with information about their own children.
Until the couple publicly confirms otherwise, it is more accurate to describe their parental status as undisclosed rather than definitively state that they have no children.
Jordan Mailata’s Parents: Meet Tupai and Maria Mailata
Jordan Mailata’s parents are Tupai Mailata and Maria Mailata. Both have Samoan roots and played central roles in raising Jordan and his four siblings in Australia.
His parents originally came from Samoa, with the family spending time in New Zealand before settling in Australia.
They worked demanding jobs to support their five children and encouraged them to remain connected to their culture while pursuing opportunities.
Jordan Mailata’s Father: Tupai Mailata
Jordan Mailata’s father is Tupai Taamilo Mailata, also known as Tupa’i or Big T.
Born and raised in Samoa, Tupai came from a farming family before relocating to New Zealand and eventually Australia.
Throughout his working life, Tupai held different jobs, including work as a mechanic, carpenter, handyman, and security guard.
He was also passionate about rugby and passed his competitive mentality on to his children.
Mailata has spoken about his father’s discipline and the valuable life lessons he learned while growing up.
Initially, Tupai was uncertain about Jordan leaving Australia to pursue American football, especially because his son had never played the sport professionally.
However, he eventually supported Jordan’s ambitions.
In January 2023, Tupai watched his son play for the Philadelphia Eagles in person for the first time, fulfilling a personal wish.
Later in 2023, Tupai experienced serious health complications after suffering a heart attack. He subsequently made progress in his recovery and was able to attend Jordan’s wedding.
Jordan Mailata’s Mother: Maria Mailata
Jordan Mailata’s mother is Maria Mailata, also known as Pereseti.
Like her husband, Maria comes from a Samoan background and worked hard to provide for her children.
During Jordan’s childhood, Maria worked long hours cleaning hotel rooms while balancing her responsibilities as a mother of five.
Mailata has repeatedly acknowledged the sacrifices his parents made during his upbringing.
Maria has remained a strong supporter of her son’s football journey.
She accompanied Tupai and Jordan’s younger brother Millo to Philadelphia during the 2022 NFL season, when the family watched Jordan play at Lincoln Financial Field.
Her influence remains an important part of Mailata’s personal story and connection to his Samoan heritage.
Jordan Mailata’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers and Sisters?
Jordan Mailata has four siblings: three brothers and one sister.
His brothers are Moana, Daniel, and Millo Mailata, while his older sister is known as Sese.
The five siblings grew up together in Bankstown, where sports, music, and family responsibilities were important parts of their everyday lives.
Moana Mailata – Older Brother
Moana Mailata, often called Mo, is Jordan’s oldest brother.
He was born in New Zealand before the family relocated to Australia.
Moana grew up playing rugby and has spoken publicly about the Mailata family’s upbringing and Jordan’s transition from rugby to American football.
He also helped pass on the family’s interest in music, including guitar playing, to his younger brothers.
Daniel Mailata – Older Brother
Daniel Mailata is another of Jordan’s older brothers.
He grew up alongside his siblings in Australia and shared their enthusiasm for sports and music.
According to family reporting, Daniel helped teach Jordan to play the guitar, contributing to a musical interest that Jordan later developed alongside his football career.
Daniel generally maintains a lower public profile than his NFL-playing brother.
Millo Mailata – Younger Brother
Millo Mailata is Jordan’s younger brother and the youngest of the five Mailata children.
Like Jordan, Millo was born in Australia and grew up surrounded by the family’s rugby traditions.
He has spoken publicly about his brother’s success and their father’s competitive approach to sports.
Millo also traveled to Philadelphia with their parents during the 2022 NFL season to watch Jordan compete in person.
Sese Mailata – Older Sister
Sese is Jordan Mailata’s older sister and the eldest of the five siblings.
She played a particularly important role in helping raise her younger brothers while their parents worked long hours.
One of the most interesting facts about Jordan’s childhood is that his sister helped choose his name.
When he was born, she was allowed to select his middle name and chose Jordan in honor of legendary basketball player Michael Jordan.
Although his first name was Lafoga, the future NFL star eventually became widely known by his middle name.
Jordan has maintained a strong bond with his sister and credits his family with helping shape his values.
Jordan Mailata’s Family Background and Samoan Heritage
Jordan Mailata’s Samoan heritage remains an important part of his identity.
Although he grew up in Australia, his parents passed down Samoan traditions emphasizing family unity, respect, community, and responsibility.
His childhood was relatively modest. His parents worked multiple jobs, and the children shared living space while helping one another.
That environment helped Mailata develop the work ethic that eventually carried him from rugby league in Australia to the Philadelphia Eagles.
When he arrived in the United States, Mailata faced the challenge of learning an unfamiliar sport while living thousands of miles away from his family.
Despite those difficulties, he established himself as an NFL starting offensive tackle and became a Super Bowl champion with Philadelphia.
Mailata continues to recognize his family’s influence, both through his public comments and his charitable work alongside his wife.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jordan Mailata’s Family
Who is Jordan Mailata’s wife?
Jordan Mailata is married to Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata, an attorney. The couple met in 2018 and married in July 2023.
Does Jordan Mailata have a girlfriend?
No girlfriend is separately identified because Jordan Mailata is married to Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata.
Does Jordan Mailata have children?
As of now, there is no publicly confirmed information that Jordan Mailata has children.
Who are Jordan Mailata’s parents?
Jordan Mailata’s parents are Tupai Taamilo Mailata and Maria Mailata, also known as Pereseti. Both have Samoan roots.
How many siblings does Jordan Mailata have?
Jordan Mailata has four siblings: three brothers named Moana, Daniel, and Millo, and an older sister named Sese.
Is Jordan Mailata Samoan?
Yes. Jordan Mailata is of Samoan descent through his parents. He was born and raised in Australia.
Who named Jordan Mailata?
His older sister chose his middle name, Jordan, after basketball legend Michael Jordan. His first name at birth was Lafoga.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
