Sonya Roby may not ring a bell, but her life intersected that of one of the biggest NBA legends of all time—Scottie Pippen. Known for her brief but dramatic relationship with the six-time NBA champion, Sonya was the subject of media in the 1990s. She made the headlines when she gave birth to twin daughters, Taylor and Tyler, to Pippen. Sadly, Tyler passed away shortly after his birth, a heart-wrenching experience that would shape much of Sonya’s existence in the coming years.
Despite the media attention that followed her relationship with the NBA legend, Sonya Roby has otherwise kept her own life remarkably under wraps. This article delves deep into the small but valuable facts available about her, including her childhood, family, relationship with Pippen, and daughter Taylor, who became a great volleyball player. Her existence is a mystery, aside from Sonya Roby’s story that is still one of inner resilience, motherly devotion, and survival in scandal.
Quick Bio
| Name: | Sonya Roby Martin |
| Birthday: | N/A |
| Age | N/A |
| Birth Location | USA |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Zodiac sign | N/A |
| Occupation: | Photographer, Mother of Taylor Pippen, Ex-girlfriend of Scottie Pippen |
| @sonyamartinphotography |
Who is Sonya Roby?
Sonya Roby is best known as the former girlfriend of basketball great Scottie Pippen. She gave birth to twin daughters Taylor and Tyler in July 1994. Unfortunately, Tyler passed away nine days after birth, leaving Sonya alone to take care of Taylor. The media covered this story thoroughly, primarily because of the subsequent paternity scandal. Initially, Pippen denied fatherhood, and a court case and DNA testing were the result. After paternity was established, he was required to pay child support to Taylor, although his participation in her life was kept at arm’s length.
Although all of the publicity about Roby has centered on her status as Pippen’s daughter, it is fair to note her identity independently of that designation. She handled an emotionally and legally charged situation with dignity, opting to keep most of her life out of the public eye. Though married to a very public man, Roby did not seek to use that public status for herself or notoriety. She instead devoted time to raising her daughter, allowing Taylor to grow into a solid young woman and athlete.
Early Life
There is not much publicly available information regarding Sonya Roby’s childhood, her family, birthplace, or educational background. What is established implies that she had plans of her own prior to her encounter with Pippen, which could have involved modeling or photography work. These are unproven assertions, however, because of her preference for discretion. This lack of public information further serves to underscore Roby’s conscious decision not to adopt the celebrity lifestyle so often found among the companions of high-profile sportsmen.
While the media was so eager to grant attention to her amidst the paternity case, Roby never gave sensational interviews about her past. She never shared details of growing up and what she had achieved, making her enigmatic. In a world where everyone desires fame, the quiet life Sonya Roby has lived is a testament to the inclination towards quietness and maintenance of self. It’s a less sensationalized version and more of the underlying strength that some moms show behind closed doors.
Career Beginnings
Sonya Roby’s working past is as yet unknown to a large degree. In her association with Pippen, it was said that she had a modeling background or was employed in the fashion world in Chicago. No working past record or portfolio has, however, been released to the public. This has led many to focus on her work mainly as a mother rather than her working ambitions.
In spite of the media coverage she had in the ’90s, it would have been easy for Roby to seek public fame or career pursuits in show business or the media. Instead, she went the other way. Her partial invisibility in public life suggests that Taylor’s upbringing was her top priority, especially after Tyler’s untimely passing. Even if she had professional aspirations or talents, Sonya Roby went on to build her life around her family and avoided gaining financially from her celebrity connection.
Who Is Sonya Roby Related To?
Sonya Roby is best known for being related to her daughter, Taylor Pippen, whom Sonya raised single-handedly after the court granted her full custody. Taylor grew up to be an exceptional athlete, playing at the Division I level for Southern Illinois University volleyball and continuing on to compete in sports abroad in Spain. Little contact was made with Taylor’s father, who bore the legendary Pippen name, even after court rulings and DNA test affirmation. Scottie Pippen never tried to develop a relationship with Taylor, according to her in interviews.
Other than her daughter, very little is made public about Sonya’s close friends or extended family. She never once made public anything of personal relationships, and there have been no siblings or other relatives coming forward in the public limelight. Her social and family contacts have been closed off, proving just how much she valued privacy. Her lasting legacy is, though, found in Taylor’s strength and self-reliance, being the values left behind by her mother.

Sonya Roby’s Physical Appearance
There are few public photographs of Sonya Roby, and she has never been included in publicity coverage advertising herself visually. While some news reports from the 1990s suggested she was tall, lean, and possessed the dramatic features characteristic of fashion or modeling professionals, these are based on passing descriptions and unsubstantiated accounts. Her fashion sense and attitude are not well documented, conforming with her self-exclusion from public appearance.
Even though she is all romanticized about with one of the game’s most popular players, Sonya has never used her appearance to draw attention from the press. She keeps a low profile physically, an anomaly in today’s visually oriented culture, and this all makes her tale less about image and more about substance—she is a woman who is not all about being famous or beautiful, but one of choice and will.
Net Worth
Due to the lack of public career records and low-profile living, the net worth of Sonya Roby cannot be determined. The only financial records that were publicly discussed were the court-ordered child support issued by Scottie Pippen after the affirmation of his paternity as Taylor’s father by the paternity test. No records of endorsement contracts, property holdings, or professional income have been associated with Roby.
She might have lived simply, prioritizing stability for her daughter over fame or celebrity favors. Her economic standing would seem to concur with her: privacy, independence, and motherhood. While the majority of those in her position would have turned to lawsuits or public interviews for money or fame, Roby opted for a quiet life and set about securing a future for her daughter.
Social Media
Unlike most celebrities or close friends of celebrities, Sonya Roby is not on social media. Her name is not found on Instagram, Facebook, or X, which was previously Twitter, with any verified or confirmed accounts. This is consistent with her long-standing decision to stay out of the spotlight.
Her daughter Taylor does have some kind of social media existence, though, where she blogs about her career athletic existence and the occasional personal vignette. Even so, Taylor has played it extremely tight-lipped about her mother, adding to their mutual respect for privacy once again. In an age when web presence is seen as essential, Sonya’s lack of a social media existence as zero speaks volumes about boundaries and inner peace.
Future Prospects and Vision
With her long history of privacy and no public statements, it’s hard to say what Sonya Roby will do in the future. With her daughter now grown and having built a successful career of her own, Sonya may be enjoying a more peaceful phase of life. If she continues working quietly in a professional capacity or is retired entirely, she appears to be content out of the spotlight.
If anything’s certain about Sonya Roby’s future, it’s that she’ll continue to live on her own terms. Her story has been one of understated resilience, and that most likely will never change. Her influence on Taylor Pippen’s successful and even-keel path is perhaps her biggest legacy—proof that even behind-the-scenes lives can make a difference.

0 Comments