Shay Shariatzadeh

Engineer

Birthday

September 21, 1990

Age

35 years old

Zodiac

♍︎ Virgo

Birthplace

Iran

Height

170 cm · 5′7″

Shay Shariatzadeh is the wife of actor and professional wrestler John Cena. An electrical engineer and product manager by profession, she gained widespread public attention following her relationship with and marriage to Cena.

Relationship and marriage to John Cena

Shariatzadeh met John Cena in early 2019 at a restaurant in Vancouver, British Columbia, where Cena was on location filming the comedy Playing with Fire. Cena was at the restaurant watching the Super Bowl when one of Shariatzadeh's friends approached his table to ask for a photograph, leading to an introduction between Shariatzadeh and Cena. The two exchanged numbers that evening and began dating shortly afterward.

The couple made their first public red-carpet appearance together in October 2019 at the premiere of Playing with Fire. On October 12, 2020, Shariatzadeh and Cena married in an intimate ceremony held at an attorney's office in Tampa, Florida, officiated by attorney Dilip Patel. On July 15, 2022, they hosted a second wedding celebration with family and friends at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver. Shariatzadeh has accompanied Cena to various high-profile public events, including the premiere of Dolittle in 2020 and the London premiere of Argylle in January 2024, while maintaining a private personal life without public social media accounts.

Education and engineering career

Born in Iran, Shariatzadeh moved with her family to Canada during her youth. Her mother, who practiced as a surgeon, relocated the family to provide broader opportunities for her children. Shariatzadeh became interested in science and mathematics during her childhood, a passion sparked when her older brother brought home an autonomous vehicle project from his engineering coursework.

Shariatzadeh attended the University of British Columbia from 2008 to 2013, graduating with a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering. While completing her education, she worked in retail as a sales associate for Guess and the Canadian lingerie retailer La Vie En Rose, having entered the workforce at age 18. In 2011, she gained technical experience as a software test engineer at Alpha Technologies Ltd. Following her graduation, she also served as a mentor to incoming engineering students at the University of British Columbia.

She subsequently built a career in technology and software development in Vancouver. At Avigilon, a subsidiary of Motorola Solutions, she worked on research and product development for thermal cameras and video intercom systems before becoming a product manager. In December 2019, Shariatzadeh joined enterprise software firm Sonatype as a product manager.

Quick facts

Shariatzadeh earned a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of British Columbia in 2013.
She was inspired to pursue engineering after her older brother brought home an autonomous car project from his engineering studies.
Her mother, who worked as a surgeon, moved the family from Iran to Canada.
She began working at age 18 as a retail sales associate for Canadian lingerie retailer La Vie En Rose.
In 2011, she worked as a software test engineer at Alpha Technologies Ltd.
She researched thermal camera systems and video intercoms while working at Motorola Solutions subsidiary Avigilon.
She joined enterprise software company Sonatype as a product manager in December 2019.
She met John Cena at a Vancouver restaurant in early 2019 while Cena was watching the Super Bowl during the production of Playing with Fire.
Shariatzadeh and Cena made their red-carpet debut as a couple in October 2019 at the premiere of Playing with Fire.
The couple married on October 12, 2020, in a private ceremony at an attorney's office in Tampa, Florida.
They held a second wedding celebration at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver on July 15, 2022.

FAQs about Shay Shariatzadeh

What is the age difference between John Cena and his wife?

John Cena was born on April 23, 1977, and Shay Shariatzadeh was born on September 21, 1990, making an age gap of approximately 13 years between them.

Where is Shay Shariatzadeh from?

Shariatzadeh was born in Iran and later immigrated to Canada with her family, becoming a Canadian citizen and residing in Vancouver, British Columbia.

How did Shay Shariatzadeh and John Cena meet?

They met in early 2019 at a restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, where Cena was dining during the filming of the movie Playing with Fire.

When did Shay Shariatzadeh marry John Cena?

The couple married on October 12, 2020, at an attorney's office in Tampa, Florida, and held a second wedding celebration in Vancouver, Canada, on July 15, 2022.

What is Shay Shariatzadeh's profession?

She is an electrical engineer and technology product manager who earned her degree from the University of British Columbia and has worked for companies including Avigilon and Sonatype.