William Karlsson’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents and Siblings

Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Bernald Sanders

William Karlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays as a center for the Vegas Golden Knights in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 8, 1993, in Märsta, Sweden, Karlsson is widely known by his nickname, “Wild Bill,” and helped the Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023.

Beyond his successful hockey career, Karlsson is a husband and father who maintains close relationships with his family in Sweden and the United States. He is married to Emily Ferguson Karlsson, a former reality television personality, and the couple has two sons, Beckham and Maxwell. They also announced in 2026 that they were expecting a third boy.

His parents, Lars and Carola Karlsson, raised him in Sweden alongside his three older siblings. Their encouragement and support played an important role in his journey toward professional hockey.

William Karlsson’s Wife: Who Is Emily Ferguson?

William Karlsson is married to Emily Ferguson Karlsson, an American television personality and social media influencer best known for appearing on the reality dating shows “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Emily was born on October 9, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She gained national attention alongside her identical twin sister, Haley Ferguson, when they appeared on the twentieth season of “The Bachelor,” featuring Ben Higgins, in 2016.

The sisters later participated in “Bachelor in Paradise” and became recognizable personalities within the reality television franchise.

Emily and William began dating in November 2017, shortly after Karlsson joined the Vegas Golden Knights during the franchise’s inaugural NHL season.

How Did William Karlsson Meet Emily Ferguson?

William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson met through Instagram in 2017.

According to an interview Emily gave to Bachelor Nation in April 2022, she became interested in Karlsson after seeing him play for the newly established Vegas Golden Knights.

Although she knew relatively little about hockey at the time, she decided to contact him directly through Instagram.

The two began communicating and eventually started dating in November 2017.

Their relationship developed as Karlsson became one of the Golden Knights’ most important players, particularly during the team’s remarkable inaugural season in 2017–18.

In a 2018 interview with Swedish media, Karlsson’s father, Lars, expressed happiness about his son’s relationship and suggested that Emily had brought additional stability and happiness into his life.

When Did William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson Get Married?

William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson married on July 23, 2022, at Resorts World Las Vegas in Nevada.

The couple had announced their engagement in December 2020 after Karlsson proposed to Emily.

Their wedding ceremony took place at the resort’s Rose Rooftop, overlooking the famous Las Vegas Strip.

The celebration included family members, friends and several professional hockey players.

Emily’s twin sister, Haley Ferguson, served as her maid of honor. Among the wedding guests were Golden Knights players Mark Stone and Shea Theodore, along with their partners.

The wedding reception featured music, dancing and a variety of food stations, including pizza and late-night snacks.

Following their marriage, Emily and William continued living in Las Vegas, where they began building their family.

What Does William Karlsson’s Wife Do?

Emily Ferguson Karlsson is a reality television personality, content creator and social media influencer.

She became famous through her appearances on “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise” alongside her twin sister, Haley.

Beyond television, Emily has participated in fashion, lifestyle and social media projects.

She regularly shares updates about motherhood, family celebrations and her experiences as the wife of a professional hockey player.

Emily has also supported William throughout his NHL career, attending games and celebrating major achievements with him.

William Karlsson’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?

William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson Karlsson have two publicly confirmed children, both sons: Beckham William Karlsson and Lars Maxwell Karlsson.

The couple welcomed their first son in May 2023 and their second son in November 2024.

In May 2026, they announced that Emily was pregnant with their third child, another boy, expected in December 2026.

Beckham William Karlsson – William Karlsson’s First Son

Beckham William Karlsson was born on May 12, 2023, at approximately 1:33 a.m. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He is the first child of William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson Karlsson.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Beckham weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces at birth.

His arrival came during the Vegas Golden Knights’ successful 2023 Stanley Cup playoff campaign.

Karlsson attended the birth of his son and managed to play later that same day against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their playoff series.

Despite getting very little sleep, he contributed to the Golden Knights’ 4–3 victory.

In June 2023, when Vegas defeated the Florida Panthers to win the Stanley Cup, Beckham was present for the championship celebrations.

William and Emily brought their newborn son onto the ice at T-Mobile Arena, where he was photographed with his parents and the Stanley Cup trophy.

Later that summer, Beckham accompanied his parents to Sweden when Karlsson brought the championship trophy to his hometown of Märsta.

During the celebration, the family placed the baby inside the Stanley Cup for photographs, creating another memorable moment.

Lars Maxwell Karlsson – William Karlsson’s Second Son

Lars Maxwell Karlsson was born on November 25, 2024, at 8:20 p.m.

He is William and Emily’s second son and is commonly called Maxwell.

The couple announced his birth through social media, revealing that he weighed 7 pounds and 14 ounces.

His full name includes Lars, which is also the name of William Karlsson’s father.

Maxwell’s arrival made Beckham an older brother and expanded the family to four members.

Emily celebrated the milestone by sharing photographs of the newborn and expressing her happiness about raising two boys.

William also discussed the importance of spending Christmas with his children in December 2024.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he explained that having young children made the holiday season particularly special and that he looked forward to sharing Swedish Christmas traditions with them.

William Karlsson and Emily’s Third Child

On May 29, 2026, William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson announced that they were expecting their third child, another son.

The announcement was presented as a playful hockey contract signing, with the couple revealing that their newest family member was expected to arrive in December 2026.

The couple also included a reference to jersey number 71, the number worn by Karlsson for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Emily later celebrated the pregnancy alongside her twin sister, Haley Ferguson Palve, during a joint baby shower in Las Vegas.

In October 2026, Emily revealed that the baby’s chosen name begins with the letter L, although she did not publicly disclose the full name.

The available sources did not establish a confirmed birth announcement for their third son.

William Karlsson’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?

William Karlsson’s parents are Lars Karlsson and Carola Karlsson, who raised him in Märsta, a town north of Stockholm, Sweden.

Their names were confirmed in a 2019 family profile published by the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

William grew up in a household with three older siblings, and his family encouraged his sporting interests from childhood.

Lars Karlsson – William Karlsson’s Father

William Karlsson’s father is Lars Karlsson, who has been an important influence on his son’s life and sporting interests.

Lars is a passionate supporter of Swedish football club AIK, an interest he shared with William while the future NHL player was growing up.

According to Aftonbladet, Lars held a season ticket at Råsunda Stadium, where he attended AIK matches with his son.

These experiences helped develop William’s lifelong interest in football alongside his passion for ice hockey.

Lars has also followed William’s NHL career closely, particularly after his son moved to North America.

In a 2018 interview, he spoke about William’s success with the Vegas Golden Knights and discussed how life in Las Vegas had helped him grow as a person.

He also expressed his approval of William’s relationship with Emily Ferguson.

When William returned to Märsta with the Stanley Cup in 2023, he publicly acknowledged his parents’ contributions to his success.

During the celebrations, Karlsson thanked them for their support throughout his hockey journey.

Carola Karlsson – William Karlsson’s Mother

William Karlsson’s mother is Carola Karlsson, who raised William and his three older siblings in Sweden.

Although Carola has largely maintained a private life away from the media, she has been identified in Swedish reporting about the Golden Knights forward and his upbringing.

Carola was part of the family environment that supported William as he developed his interest in ice hockey.

William began his hockey journey in Märsta, eventually playing in the youth system of Arlanda HC before moving into higher levels of Swedish hockey.

His parents continued following his progress as he moved away from home to pursue opportunities with Västerås and later HV71.

During the 2023 Stanley Cup celebrations in Märsta, William expressed gratitude toward both parents for their contributions to his career.

Detailed information about Carola’s professional occupation and personal background has not been reliably documented in major public sources.

William Karlsson’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?

William Karlsson has three older siblings: two sisters and one brother.

The family structure was confirmed by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet in a biographical profile published in August 2019.

Unlike William, who became internationally recognized through his NHL career, his siblings have largely remained outside the public spotlight.

William Karlsson’s Two Older Sisters

William Karlsson grew up with two older sisters in Märsta, Sweden.

Although their existence is confirmed in Swedish reporting, their full names, ages, occupations and personal relationships have not been reliably identified in the sources reviewed.

Consequently, there is insufficient verified information to provide separate biographies for each sister.

William Karlsson’s Older Brother

William Karlsson also has an older brother, making William the youngest of four children.

His brother was part of the family household in Märsta during William’s childhood.

However, reliable public sources do not clearly establish his name, profession or whether he pursued a competitive sporting career.

There is no confirmed information indicating that William’s older brother played professional ice hockey.

For that reason, further personal details about his brother remain unverified.

William Karlsson’s Sister-in-Law: Who Is Haley Ferguson?

One of the best-known members of William Karlsson’s extended family is Haley Ferguson Palve, the identical twin sister of his wife, Emily.

Haley is an American reality television personality who appeared alongside Emily on “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise.”

She married Finnish professional ice hockey player Oula Palve in June 2022, approximately one month before Emily married William.

The sisters have maintained a close relationship and frequently celebrate family milestones together.

In 2026, Emily and Haley organized a joint baby shower in Las Vegas while both were expecting children.

Haley is William Karlsson’s sister-in-law through his marriage to Emily, not one of his biological siblings.

How William Karlsson’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career

William Karlsson’s journey from a young hockey player in Märsta to a Stanley Cup champion reflects the support he received from his family.

He developed through Arlanda HC before joining Västerås, where he combined hockey training with his education.

His performances eventually earned him an opportunity with HV71 in Sweden’s top professional hockey league.

In the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the Anaheim Ducks selected him in the second round with the 53rd overall pick.

He later played for the Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets before joining the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.

Karlsson enjoyed a breakthrough season with Vegas in 2017–18, scoring 43 goals and winning the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

His career reached another major milestone in 2023 when he helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup.

The victory was particularly meaningful because his first son, Beckham, had been born just weeks earlier.

William later returned to Sweden with Emily, Beckham and the Stanley Cup to celebrate with family, friends and his hometown community.

The NHL reported that during the celebrations in Märsta, Karlsson publicly thanked his parents and acknowledged that their support helped make his career possible.

His family has continued growing during his time in Las Vegas, and he has spoken about how fatherhood has added happiness and meaning to his life away from the rink.

Frequently Asked Questions About William Karlsson’s Family

Who is William Karlsson’s wife?

William Karlsson is married to Emily Ferguson Karlsson, an American television personality known for appearing on “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise.” They married on July 23, 2022.

Does William Karlsson have a girlfriend?

William Karlsson is married to his longtime partner, Emily Ferguson, so she is his wife rather than his girlfriend.

How many children does William Karlsson have?

William Karlsson has two publicly confirmed sons, Beckham William Karlsson and Lars Maxwell Karlsson. He and Emily also announced that they were expecting a third son in December 2026.

Who is William Karlsson’s first son?

His first son is Beckham William Karlsson, born on May 12, 2023, during the Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup playoff campaign.

Who is William Karlsson’s second son?

His second son is Lars Maxwell Karlsson, commonly called Maxwell. He was born on November 25, 2024.

Is William Karlsson expecting another child?

William Karlsson and Emily Ferguson announced in May 2026 that they were expecting their third child, another boy, in December 2026.

Who are William Karlsson’s parents?

William Karlsson’s parents are Lars Karlsson and Carola Karlsson, who raised him in Märsta, Sweden.

Does William Karlsson have siblings?

Yes. William Karlsson has three older siblings: two sisters and one brother. Their names have not been reliably established in publicly available reporting.

Is Haley Ferguson William Karlsson’s sister?

No. Haley Ferguson Palve is the identical twin sister of William’s wife, Emily Ferguson Karlsson. Therefore, Haley is his sister-in-law.

Where was William Karlsson born?

William Karlsson was born on January 8, 1993, in Märsta, Sweden.

Did William Karlsson win the Stanley Cup?

Yes. William Karlsson won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 after the team defeated the Florida Panthers in the Final.