WNBA rookie Angel Reese gave her mother a life-changing birthday surprise during a recent episode of her YouTube show, Unapologetically Angel. The 22-year-old Chicago Sky star paid off her mother’s mortgage and told her she could now choose to retire.
Reese invited her mother, Angel Webb Reese—affectionately known as “Mama Angel”—onto the show for a special birthday episode. The two spent nearly an hour discussing Reese’s journey to basketball stardom and her rise to fame.
Toward the end of the episode, Reese presented her mother with a birthday cake and shared the news.
“Well, it’s your birthday today,” she said. “Before we sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ you said that if your mortgage was paid off, you would retire—or at least stop working. Your mortgage today has been paid.”
Her mother appeared stunned, nearly dropping the cake before an assistant stepped in to take it away. Overcome with emotion, she asked, “Are you serious?” as tears streamed down her face.
Reese went on to say, “You don’t have to worry about your mortgage anymore. If you still want to work, that’s your choice. But Jamel has it handled—shout out to Jamel for making it happen, and Janine too.”
The emotional moment was followed by a chorus of “Happy Birthday” from Reese and her crew, though they weren’t able to light the candles due to studio safety rules.
“This was my biggest goal in life,” Reese said. “To retire you and pay off your mortgage. You’re a hardworking woman. You never needed me for money—and that’s why I always say that.”
Earlier, Mama Angel had already received a birthday gift card for the Four Seasons, making the mortgage surprise even more unexpected.
Reese joked, “Now you know I come harder than that,” referring to the earlier gift.
The birthday celebration came on the heels of another major milestone for Reese. She recently became the first female athlete to have a signature meal with McDonald’s. Speaking to PEOPLE, she reflected on her childhood memories of the fast-food chain.
“My brother Julian and I used to fight over the Happy Meal toys,” she said. “And you know how your parents always say, ‘There’s food at home’? I used to save up just so I could eat at McDonald’s.”
Reese, who was selected 7th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, has built a strong brand off the court. While she hasn’t publicly revealed her net worth, USA Today reported she earned approximately $1.7 million from endorsements between 2022 and 2023. Her brand partners have included Reebok, PlayStation, and Amazon.
