Yu Darvish has long been one of Japan’s most successful baseball exports, excelling in both Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball. Behind the San Diego Padres right-hander is another sporting great: his wife, Seiko Darvish (née Seiko Yamamoto), a four-time world freestyle wrestling champion and respected coach who has mentored athletes to Olympic gold. Her résumé stands every bit as accomplished in wrestling as Darvish’s on the mound.

Who is Seiko Darvish?

Seiko Yamamoto, now known as Seiko Darvish, is a former Japanese freestyle wrestler who won four World Championship titles between 1999 and 2003. Born in Kawasaki, Japan, she became one of the nation’s most decorated wrestlers despite never competing in the Olympics due to limited women’s weight classes at the time. Seiko retired from competition in 2007 but went on to coach the U.S. women’s freestyle wrestling team, playing a crucial role in Helen Maroulis’ gold medal victory at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Beyond her wrestling accolades, Seiko comes from a strong sporting lineage: her father, Ikuei Yamamoto, was an Olympian, and her brother, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, was a famous MMA fighter.

How did Yu Darvish and Seiko Darvish meet? How long have they been together?

Yu Darvish and Seiko Yamamoto’s relationship began around 2014, when Yu was already a rising MLB star. The pair met through their sporting circles, both hailing from high-level athletic families. Seiko was transitioning into coaching after her competitive wrestling career, while Yu was cementing himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball. Their shared experiences in professional sports helped spark a connection that quickly developed into a long-term partnership.

Before marrying Yu, Seiko was married to Japanese handball player Hideaki Nagashima from 2006 to 2014, with whom she had two children. Yu himself also had a past relationship, having divorced Japanese actress and model Saeko in 2012. Together, Yu and Seiko chose to keep their relationship relatively private, but by 2016, they officially tied the knot. Since then, they have built a large blended family while supporting each other’s careers.

Do Darvish and Seiko have Kids? Everything you should know

Yes, Yu and Seiko Darvish have several children together, blending families from their previous marriages. As of 2025, they are parents to five kids in total. Their oldest son, Shoei Darvish, born in 2008 from Yu’s first marriage, is already following in his father’s footsteps as a budding high school pitcher in San Diego, showcasing the same sharp mechanics and poise on the mound that Yu is known for. Seiko’s children from her first marriage are also part of their extended family, and together the couple has embraced parenting as central to their lives. While the Darvish family remains private about the details of their younger kids, Yu has occasionally been spotted cheering from the stands as Shoei begins carving his own baseball journey.

Who was Yu Darvish’s ex-wife?

Before marrying Seiko, Yu Darvish was married to Japanese actress and model Saeko Dokyu, known professionally as Saeko. The two wed in 2007 but divorced in 2012, citing career pressures and the need for a stable family environment. They share two sons together, both born during their marriage, and Saeko retained custody after the split.

What is Yu Darvish’s Wife, Seiko Darvish Instagram account?

Seiko maintains an active online presence under the handle @seiko_darvish. She occasionally shares family moments, insights into her wrestling background, and posts supporting her husband’s MLB career.

Yu Darvish’s Net Worth in 2025

Yu Darvish’s net worth is estimated at around $70 million in 2025. That figure comes from his long MLB career contracts (Texas, Cubs, Dodgers, Padres) plus off-field income, and it aligns with widely quoted estimates for him among baseball’s highest earners. In plain terms: between guaranteed MLB salaries that have surpassed two hundred million dollars in career cash and steady endorsement income, Darvish has built eight-figure wealth even after taxes and agent fees. He remains listed among the richest active baseball players, and his current Padres deal continues to add eight figures of cash each year to that total.

Yu Darvish’s Contract Breakdown

Darvish is under a 6-year, $108 million extension with the San Diego Padres (2023–2028). It includes a $6 million signing bonus, full no-trade protection, and a $18 million average annual value. His annual cash is front-loaded and then steps down, and there are Cy Young escalators built into the later seasons. In 2024, he uniquely declined pay while on the restricted list during a family matter, reflecting his commitment to only taking a salary when actively contributing.

Contract Snapshot (current deal)

• 2023: $30,000,000 
• 2024: $15,000,000 
• 2025: $20,000,000 
• 2026: $15,000,000 
• 2027: $14,000,000 
• 2028: $14,000,000 

Team, Year, Salary, Bonuses

A look at Yu Darvish’s Salary

For the 2025 season, Darvish’s cash salary is $20,000,000 (with a $21,000,000 payroll figure). His deal also carries prorated signing bonus money each season and performance escalators tied to Cy Young awards in select years. Here’s a quick year-by-year salary view from the current window:

A look at Yu Darvish’s brand endorsements

Darvish has long-term equipment and apparel visibility, most notably with Nike (cleats/gear) and team-licensed merchandise that features his name and number at major retailers. You’ll find Darvish Padres jerseys and player tees regularly stocked, and his signature gear and footwear rotations are often highlighted around big starts and milestones. While he isn’t a hyper-commercial athlete, his international profile (Japan/US) gives his partnerships consistent reach among MLB and global baseball audiences.

Yu Darvish’s Professional Career Overview

Darvish is one of the most decorated Japanese pitchers to cross over to MLB. After starring for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in NPB—where he posted a sub-2.00 ERA and won multiple league awards—he debuted with the Texas Rangers in 2012 and immediately became an All-Star and the AL strikeout leader (2013). Despite a Tommy John surgery setback in 2015, he returned to elite form, reaching the World Series with the Dodgers (2017), finishing Cy Young runner-up with the Cubs (2020), and anchoring the Padres’ rotation since 2021.

Across his MLB tenure, Darvish has been defined by an unusually deep pitch mix and command that travels well between leagues and eras. He remains a high-strikeout, low-WHIP starter when healthy, and his longevity has him in the conversation among the most accomplished Japanese-born MLB pitchers.

Recent Stats 
(Team labels reflect MLB seasons; RBI/HR not applicable for pitchers in DH era.)

Conclusion

Yu Darvish’s journey is bigger than strikeouts and contracts. While his $70 million net worth and Padres salary put him among baseball’s elite, his legacy is equally shaped by his life off the mound. With Seiko Darvish, a four-time world wrestling champion and respected coach, by his side, the couple represents two sporting powerhouses who’ve built a family grounded in discipline, success, and resilience. Their kids—already finding their own footing in sports—show that the Darvish legacy isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether it’s his dominance in MLB or Seiko’s decorated wrestling career, the Darvish family proves that greatness runs in the family, both on and off the field.