Tamaki Osaka is the mother of Naomi Osaka, the star Tennis player who has won four Grand Slam titles as well as a host of other championships.
Naomi Osaka is no doubt a successful athlete, all thanks to her resilient parents – Tamaki and Leonard. This is one couple who have been so supportive of their children, making sure they excel and outshine their peers. A lot is said and known about Naomi Osaka, but little to almost nothing is known about the pivotal role her mother played to successfully catapult her to the level she is today. Tamaki is happily married to her husband, Leonard Francois (Naomi’s father), and currently lives in the US with her two daughters.
Profile Summary of Tamaki Osaka
- Full Name: Tamaki Osaka
- Age: N/A
- Nationality: Japanese
- Ethnicity: Asian
- Spouse: Leonard Francois
- Children: Mari and Naomi
- Current Country of Residence: United States of America
Tamaki Osaka was Born and Raised in Numero, Hokkaido, Japan
Although she has lived most of her life in the United States, Tamaki Osaka originates from Japan, where she was born and raised. She grew up in Japan’s northern island, Nemuro, a coastal town on the eastern tip of Hokkaido. She also schooled in the capital city of Hokkaido, called Sapporo. However, her date of birth has not been revealed in the media, but from her physique, she’s estimated to be around her late forties.
For now, there are no reports about who the members of her family are and what they do currently. However, we know that at one time, she was at loggerheads with them. While in high school, she met and fell in love with Francois, a Haitian, who was in college at that time and had visited Japan in the 90s.
When Tamaki’s parents discovered that their daughter was in love with a dark-skinned Haitian, they vehemently opposed their relationship. This was because, at the time, the Japanese believed in racial purity in marriage and were not permitted to marry or be in a relationship with a foreigner.
Challenges Tamaki Overcame to Marry Leonard Francois
As stated above, the beginning of Tamaki’s relationship with her husband wasn’t a palatable one. Having fallen in love with a black man, her parents saw it as a disgrace to their culture, and as such, they were not ready to accept Leonard as their son-in-law. At that time, the coastal town of Nemuro was loyal to Tokugawa’s decree of the 1630s, which was to maintain a racially pure Japan. This was the prevailing cultural law Tamaki was born into, and she was meant to uphold the culture.
Fortunately for Tamaki Osaka, little did she know that her meeting with a Haitian named Leonard Francois would completely change her perspective on interracial love and the restrictions Japanese culture put on it. Leonard helped restructure her perception of the world for good, and they soon found love in each other.
Having fallen in love, Tamaki couldn’t turn her back on her heartthrob. She instead chose to be estranged from her family, who opposed the relationship. She eloped with her Haitian-American lover and was gone for a long time – almost 15 years.
In the course of time, she moved to the city of Osaka in Japan with her husband and soon got a job and settled down. Not too long later, their two daughters – Naomi and Mari, were born 18 months apart. They later moved to New York and stayed a considerable length of time there before coming back to the Asian country. When Naomi was 11 years old, Tamaki and her husband returned to Japan from the USA and were welcomed back by Tamaki’s family. Seeing how fortune has smiled on the family, they are all at peace and welcoming of each other now.
Who Are Tamaki Osaka’s Children?
Tamaki Osaka’s children are Mari Osaka (born April 3, 1996) and Naomi Osaka (born October 16, 1997). They are both tennis players, though Naomi is the more successful one. Mari retired from professional tennis in 2021 and is now a graphic designer, illustrator and fashion designer.
Naomi and her elder sister Mari were born (and partly raised) in Osaka before they relocated to the USA, where they were also raised by their paternal grandparents in a household of Japanese and Haitian culture. When Tamaki’s family was living in Japan, they adopted their mother’s surname for practical family registration purposes, and more so, they have always identified more with the Japanese culture than with the Haitian or American culture.
Similarly, Naomi and Mari’s decision to represent Japan in tennis tournaments rather than the USA was largely influenced by their parents, Tamaki and Leonard. The reason is that both girls had established a connection with Japan; they have always identified themselves as Japanese more than with the USA. Even though they grew up in the United States and have American citizenship, Naomi claimed she’s never felt like an American but has always eaten Japanese delicacies while living in America.
Tamaki Osaka Built A Strong Marriage With Leonard Francois
Having lived for many years and most recently in the spotlight following Naomi Osaka’s lofty accomplishment in the world of tennis, it is commendable that Tamaki and Leonard have been controversy-free. Neither of them is known to have a child other than Mari and Naomi, but still, they had to struggle through a lot to get to where they are now. The couple even separated at a time.
Tamaki and Leonard separated for the first time because Tamaki’s parents were in opposition to their relationship. However, the duo was able to scale through the hurdle and are happily married, living in the US, supporting the dreams of their kids.
No doubt, Tamaki Osaka has risen to popularity on the wings of her amiable daughter, Naomi Osaka. More so, Naomi can’t tell the story of her success today without having to speak of a God-sent mother like Tamaki. There’s nothing Naomi says today that she doesn’t give credit to her mother. As she rises, Tamaki’s name is also being written on the sand of time. She claims her mom has motivated and encouraged her to create her lane and pathway in the journey of life.
Tamaki Osaka’s Net Worth?
Tamaki Osaka has a net worth of $500,000. This is quite modest and pales in comparison to her daughter, Naomi, who has a net worth of $65 million and is one of the highest-earning female athletes in the world.
Tamaki Osaka holds an associate degree in English from Hokusei Gakuen University Junior College and has worked for a financial firm and as a call agent for a mail-order company. She was the primary breadwinner of the family as her daughters concentrated on tennis, and her husband focused on coaching the girls. Thankfully, all their hard work has paid off, and they can now retire.
Tamaki now focuses on giving back to the society. She and her family have set up a Tennis academy in Haiti. The Academy features a kindergarten, a school, a large dormitory, and tennis courts. There are over 200 students and a dedicated staff of teachers, coaches, and security and janitorial workers. The vision is to eventually produce competitive tennis players.
FAQs about Tamaki Osaka
Who is Tamaki Osaka?
Tamaki Osaka is the mother of Naomi Osaka, the famous Japanese-Haitain tennis player. Tamaki is from Jaspan.
How Old is Tamaki Osaka?
Tamaki Osaka is presently 44 years old. She got married to her husband at the age of 24, and they left Japan for the U.S. five years later.
Where Was Tamaki Osaka Born?
Tamaki Osaka was born in Nemuro, a city in Hokkaidō prefecture, Japan. She spent much of her formative years there before immigrating to America with her husband and little kids.
What Do Naomi Osaka’s Parents Do For a Living?
Naomi Osaka’s parents oversee a tennis academy in Haiti. The duo, with the support of their daughter, have a vision of producing many tennis players in the future. Formerly, Naomi Osaka’s mom worked for several companies while her dad coached her and her sister.