76ers Joel Embiid's Wife Reveals Why She Left U.S. After Husband's Injury

Joel Embiid may be sidelined for now, but his biggest supporter isn't far behind, even though she briefly left the country.

The Philadelphia 76ers star recently underwent an emergency appendectomy on April 9, adding to what has already been a challenging season marked by injuries and illness. While fans were focused on his recovery timeline, his wife, model Anne de Paula, seemingly step away, albeit briefly.

But De Paula, who is originally from Brazil, revealed on Instagram that she returned home shortly after Embiid's surgery.

"I went back home for a little bit and some friendly whales came to say hi/welcome back 💕 couldn't get any better," she wrote alongside a series of photos showing her enjoying time on the beach.

The post suggested that the trip wasn't tied to any tension or drama, but rather a brief reset with her loved ones.

The couple, who met in New York City in 2018, has built a life together over the past several years. They welcomed their son, Arthur Elijah, in 2020 and tied the knot in 2023.

The 32-year-old athlete's absence is just the latest in a season filled with interruptions. The 76ers star has appeared in just 36 games this year, and earlier in April, there was even confusion surrounding his availability due to illness. At one point, Embiid publicly pushed back on a report that he would miss a game, writing, "Must be APRIL FOOLS joke???? Played against Miami in the same conditions and I'm planning to play tonight!!! #SweatItOut."

Despite the setbacks, Embiid is expected to return soon, with hopes of rejoining the team in time for their playoff matchup.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 9:42 PM.