Paternity Lawsuit Filed Against NBA Icon Paul Pierce by Expectant Mother

NBA superstar Paul Pierce is embroiled in a paternity lawsuit initiated by a woman who asserts he is the father of her unborn son.

Princess Santiago, an events director based in Los Angeles, officially launched the legal action on January 12, as reported by TMZ Sports. She is seeking a DNA test from the 48-year-old former player for the Celtics and Nets to confirm whether he is indeed the father.

In a statement to TMZ, Santiago emphasized that this case is not about seeking drama or publicity, but rather about accountability and doing what is right for her child, stating that previous efforts to resolve the matter amicably were unsuccessful.

"I submitted paternity papers after multiple attempts to settle this privately," Santiago declared. "Paul Pierce is the father of my son King, and I am simply asking for a DNA test to establish the truth."

Since November 2025, Santiago has been sharing a series of images showing her baby bump on Instagram. In her most recent post, she appears in a blue satin robe and captions it: "It’s only up from here."

Pierce shares three children with his ex-wife, Julie Landrum, whom he was married to from 2010 until their divorce in 2023.

The former Kansas Jayhawk, selected 10th overall in the 1998 NBA draft, enjoyed a 19-year career in the league, concluding with the Wizards and Clippers.

A Hall of Famer and previous FS1 contributor, Pierce clinched his lone NBA championship title with the Celtics in 2008 and earned the Finals MVP award. He is recognized as a 10-time All-Star.