Paul Pierce Believes Marriage Is For "Poor" People

NBA legend Paul Pierce has never shied away from controversial takes. He released a few statements that rubbed some people the wrong way.

However, his latest remarks on relationships and marriage have stirred up intense debate across social media. Speaking on his show "The Truth After Dark", the Boston Celtics icon delivered a brutally unfiltered critique of marriage, suggesting it offers little to no benefit for men in today’s world.

"You know what I’m saying? Like, because I feel like every relationship shouldn’t be based off sex. But every relationship is based off of that. 100%. You can’t tell me nothing different. This is what I feel. And that’s why I’ll never be in another relationship, because it’s always based off of that."

"Because it’s going to be based off the sex. Once that wears down, you’re going to go find somebody else that’s better.... This is the thing. And listen carefully. Listen carefully."

"Let me say what marriage is and who marriage is for. Marriage is for old people and poor people. Because when you broke, our parents, like my moms and all them, they married on a merit of like, okay, we’re gonna put our incomes together, have all these kids, and then when our kids, we’ll have five, ten kids, back in the 60s, all them, they got five, ten kids so they can work and bring income."

"So, you poor, so you marry for that. And now, when you get old, somebody’s gotta be at your side to take care of you. My mom never been married in my lifetime. She got married when she was 70. It was perfect. She had somebody by her side the whole way through."

"Outside of that, there’s no advantage to a man. What does it do for a man when things go south? Like, we gonna have to give up half our this, pay child support, pay... It’s only advantageous to a woman. Like, it’s real talk."

"I don’t think it’s realistic long term until I turn 70. I’m 47 right now. Until I turn 70, that’s the only realistic part. It’s because we both old. We ain’t out in the streets, we at home watching TV. You go take me to the hospital, I’m gonna take you to the hospital. That’s it. But right now, I’m too cracking right now."

Pierce’s commentary didn’t just stop at marriage. He also questioned the long-held belief that women can bring peace into a man’s life.

Paul Pierce says marriage is for poor people and old people, and explains why it offers no advantage for a man.

(🎥 The Truth After Dark/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/Wiqujr4Y0C

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) May 4, 2025