Lisa Davis Larkin is married to baseball great Barry Larkin; their relationship began in childhood. Growing up as next-door neighbors in the Silverton neighborhood of Cincinnati, they first met when Lisa was five, and that early connection would shape the rest of their lives.
As children they spent countless hours together — from backyard games and winter sledding to long summer afternoons at the local pool — and what started as a simple neighborhood friendship slowly deepened over the years.
They made it official on January 6, 1990, exchanging vows and committing to a lifetime together. Throughout Barry’s rise to superstardom — a 12-time All-Star and eventual Hall of Famer — Lisa remained a constant presence by his side. Below are the key details about her life and role alongside Barry.
Raised in a Mixed-Race Home
Lisa, the daughter of John Davis and Alice Davis-Upshaw, grew up in a warm, mixed-race household. With her father John being Black and her mother Alice White, her childhood reflected both family traditions and a close-knit sense of belonging.
Her father died in 2018, as noted in a Facebook post, leaving a deep void for the family. Lisa keeps his presence alive through cherished photos and the stories that capture their connection.
Alice, who served in the United States Army, remains an important figure in Lisa’s life. Now living in Orlando, Florida, she is visited regularly by Lisa and her siblings—Lori, Juli, and Darrell Robert—who keep their family ties strong through frequent gatherings.
She Speaks Openly About Confronting Racism
Growing up biracial in the 1960s gave Lisa a firsthand look at how complicated racism could be. Frequently seen only as Black, she ran into situations that left a lasting mark on her identity. She still recalls the way strangers would stare at her family; her mother’s lighthearted tactic was to count to three and then have them all wave at the onlookers.
Even though she celebrates the different backgrounds in her family, people have often asked why she doesn’t make her White heritage more visible. Those questions reveal how narrow many views about race can be. For Lisa, being raised in Black culture is a defining part of who she is, and navigating that reality has given her a richer understanding of both sides of her heritage.
Lisa and Her Sister Joined the Army Together
Lisa and her sister, Lori, were close from childhood and later both enlisted in the Army. Wearing the uniform became a proud part of their identity, a point of honor that stood out amid the tense political climate of 2020.
In 2020, an article in The Atlantic sparked controversy by reporting that Trump had called fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers.” Their stepmother, Nancy, pushed back on social media, posting a photo of Lisa and Lori in uniform and writing, “My wonderful step-daughters and daughter-in-law. They are not losers!!!”
From Super Bowl Cheerleader to Her Kids’ Biggest Supporter
Lisa first rallied fans at Super Bowl XXIII, an early cheerleading role that helped define her boundless energy. Though she’s long left those sidelines behind, that same spark remains — now focused on backing her family.
She and her husband made a point of keeping life grounded and passed that outlook on to their children, Brielle, Shane, and Cymber. They chose public schools and encouraged a wide circle of friends from different backgrounds to keep things authentic, even as they were sometimes labeled a ‘famous family‘.
Thriving in a Comfortable Retirement in Orlando
With their children grown and pursuing lives of their own, Lisa and her husband are enjoying retirement together in Orlando, FL. After three decades together their relationship remains strong, and in 2019 they capitalized on their real estate acumen by selling a home for $4,587,500, according to Realtor.
