Tom Daley's Family: All About His Husband Dustin Lance Black and Their Kids

Mar. 15, 2025

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black with their kids.Photo:Dustin Lance Black/Instagram

Dustin Lance Black/Instagram

Tom Daleyhas a great support system in his family.

The British diver, who recently won his fifth Olympic medal at the2024 Paris Olympics, is married to Oscar-winning screenwriterDustin Lance Black.

The couple started dating in 2013 — the same year Daley came out as bisexual in a YouTube video — and eventually tied the knot in 2017 at Bovey Castle in Devon, England, just outside the athlete’s hometown of Plymouth.

Since then, they have started a family together, welcoming two sons via surrogate, Robbie, born in June 2018, and Phoenix, born in March 2023.

Here’s everything to know about Daley and Black’s marriage and children.

They first met at a dinner party

Dustin Lance Black and Tom Daley at GQ London Fashion Week.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Daley and Black’s relationship dates back to 2013 when they first met at a dinner party. At the time, Daley had just won his first Olympic medal in the London 2012 Olympics.

In March 2021,Daley celebrated their 8-year anniversarywith a carousel of photos of them. “8 years ago we met at a dinner, we lived on opposite sides of the pond and thought it was going to be impossible to make it work … but we did!” he wrote at the time. “I am so grateful for all the memories, nearly 4 years of marriage and our darling son, Robbie! I love you xxx.”

Tom and Dustin proposed to each other

Speaking withOutmagazine, Daley and Black recalled the sweet story behind their engagement. Black explained that he initially planned to propose to Daley during a trip to America, but ended up changing his mind because he wanted the proposal location to be somewhere easier to visit.

They announced their engagement in the newspaper

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black at BRIT Awards 2023.David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

In the wake of their engagement,they announced the newsin a traditional way: Their engagement was featured in the Births, Deaths and Marriages column of London newspaperThe Timesin October 2015.

The announcement read: “The engagement is announced between Tom, son of Robert and Debra Daley of Plymouth, and Lance, son of Jeff Bisch of Philadelphia and Anne Bisch of Lake Providence.”

They got married in a castle

Two years after announcing their engagement,the couple tied the knoton May 6, 2017, at Bovey Castle in Devon, England — located about 30 miles outside of Daley’s hometown of Plymouth.

A few days after their nuptials,Daley revealed the news on Instagram, sharing a photo from the ceremony. “On 6th May 2017, I married the love of my life, @dlanceblack ❤️,” he captioned a photo of them walking down the aisle. “We shared the day with 120 of our closest friends and family, from Texarkana to Plymouth! Thank you to everyone who made this weekend the most special weekend of our lives!”

Their firstborn son was named after Tom’s late father

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black with their sons at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 2023.Meg Oliphant/Getty

Meg Oliphant/Getty

On June 27, 2018,Daley and Black became parentsfor the first time, welcoming son Robert “Robbie” Ray, via surrogate. The moniker holds special significance for Daley, as Robert was the first name of his late father, who died in 2011, and it is also Daley’s middle name.

They welcomed their two sons via surrogate

During an interview withThe Telegraphin September 2018, opened up about their son Robbie being born via surrogate, noting thatneither knows which of them is his biological father.

“That’s going to continue forever and ever,” Daley said of speculation regarding which of them bears the stronger resemblance. “But one thing we’re very strongly leaning towards is that we don’t want to know. He’s ours.”

“I don’t think we’ll ever hide anything from him, in fact I know we won’t,” Black added. “That’s not just our instincts, that’s listening to the advice from people born of surrogacy. They say, ‘The things that bothered me are the things I wasn’t told. The things I was told don’t bother me.’ ”

Dustin and their sons cheered on Tom at the Olympics

Clive Rose/Getty

Daley won silverat the 2024 Summer Olympics in the men’s synchronized 10-meter platform. For the special event, he had the support of his husband and kids who cheered him on from the stands.

Black sat with Daley’s mother and the couple’s two sons, who adorably sported “Team Daley” shirts with their father’s face on them. Speaking withBBC Sport,Black opened up about Daley’s special achievementand having his kids there for the honor.

“I’ve seen the amount of work and love that he put into it this time. It was at a different level. And I know it’s cause of these guys and them getting to see him dive today was so special already, just arriving here,” Black said.

“And the fact that he just won the one medal he’s never won before. My God, what a day,” he added. “What a day. It’s very moving for family because we see the hard work and dedication that goes into making it look effortless and it’s what he and [diving partner Noah Williams] did today. So we’re so proud.”

Shortly after the Olympics concluded, Daleyannounced his retirementfrom the sport.

“I think it’s the right time,” he told the BBC. “I got to compete in front of my family, my kids and I got to be the flagbearer. Bucket list ticked off on every occasion.”

Their son Robbie is already a natural in the water

Daley and Black might have a little diver on their hands. The Olympian has given several glimpses of his and Black’s family moments, includinghis son Robbie’s interest in swimming.

A year later, he posted a cute photo of him holding hands with Robbie at the top diving board at the London Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He noted that the height didn’t faze his son at all. “Papa: It’s high up here isn’t it?! 😬,” Daley said, to which his son responded, “A little bit, but not really!”

source: people.com