Who is Takeru Kobayashi’s wife, Maggie James?
SIX-TIME Nathan's hot dog champion Takeru Kobayashi shocked the world when he retired from the yearly competition.
Throughout his winning streak, his wife, Maggie James, was right by his side — here's everything to know about the dynamic duo.
Who is Takeru Kobayashi's wife, Maggie James?
Takeru Kobayashi is married to Maggie James, who works as a translator and manager to Takeru.
Maggie often promotes Kobayashi's ventures on her personal Instagram account.
In addition to managing her husband, Maggie also showcases her trendy fashion style through social media.
In January 2023, she had a pop-up dedicated to Vivienne Westwood at The Sight Room in Tokyo, Japan.
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The pop-up showcased art inspired by Westwood and collections of clothing by the designer.
According to her Instagram, the pair got married on January 27, 2017.
Celebrating their anniversary in 2023, Maggie shared a video with a series of photos of the two.
Her caption revealed she doesn't believe in marriage but is happy to have tied the knot with Kobayashi.
She also revealed the two don't have kids by choice.
"We're getting old & we're still cool," the post read. "No kids by choice. Actually who am I kidding we're the moms & pops of many children all over.
"I don't even believe in marriage & I'm pleased to be hitched to your crazy a**. I prefer our harmless insanity to boredom any day."
What did Maggie James say about Takeru Kobayashi's career?
Speaking with Buzzfeed in 2013, Maggie described Kobayashi's career as a form of 'art."
"Kobi doesn't eat like these people," she told the outlet. "When he does it, it's almost like art."
Kobayashi began his competitive eating career in 2000 when he ate 16 bowls of ramen in one hour on Japan's TV Champion Gluttony Championship.
He doesn't feel hungry or full. He doesn't feel those things at all.
Maggie Smith on Takeru Kobayashi's health
On July 4, 2001, he set his first world record after eating 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes at the Nathan's Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The record prior was 25⅛. Throughout his career, Kobayashi has won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest six times.
When did Takeru Kobayashi retire?
Takeru Kobayashi revealed he was retiring during the 2024 Netflix documentary Hack your Health: Secrets of Your Gut.
He explained that competitive eating has taken a toll on his health, as he doesn't feel hungry any more.
"I hear people say they're hungry, and they look very happy after they've eaten," he shared.
"I'm jealous of those people because I no longer feel hunger."
During the documentary, which premiered on April 26, Maggie also chimed in on Kobayashi's health concerns, saying: "[He] thinks he might be broken.
"He doesn't feel hungry or full. He doesn't feel those things at all."
While Kobayashi got candid about his health since embarking on his competitive eating career, he announced he would be stepping out of retirement to compete against Joey Chestnut.
The two will go head-to-head in a live event in a Netflix Labor Day special titled Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.
"Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time," Kobayashi said via Bleacher Report.
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"This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out."
This event will mark the first time the two champions face each other in 15 years.