Tami Agassi: Resilience, Family Ties, and an Athlete’s Grit

Basic Information

Early Life in a Tennis Household

At home, tennis balls bounced like the desert sun for Tami Agassi, born April 8, 1969, in Las Vegas. Her father, Iranian-born boxing Olympian Emmanuel “Mike” Agassi, led the household like a training camp, instilling order, repetition, and drive. Tami was the second of four children in the Agassi family that produced one of tennis’ most famous champions.

Agassi’s backyard was a forehand and footwork factory. Tami chose college tennis over the pro circuit, but she had the same discipline, long hours, and perspective of modest triumphs. She signed for Texas A&M in 1989 after applying such beliefs to academics and sports.

From College Courts to Advocacy

Tami’s collegiate tennis scholarship at Texas A&M marked a major waypoint in 1989. She competed with the same stubborn resolve that defined her family’s ethos. Yet the story that would later define her public life emerged off the court.

Tami was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 when she was 30 years old. In a tragic coincidence, her mother Betty contracted the sickness at the same time. Tami approached treatment with a competitive mindset, transitioning from athlete to advocate. In 2004, she co-authored Star Palate: Celebrity Cookbook for a Cure, a fundraising book for breast and ovarian cancer research. She quickly became a lobbyist and speaker for awareness campaigns, transforming her personal experience into public policy. Her advocacy became a guiding thread, a steady metronome amid the clamour of fame surrounding her surname.

Family Web

The Agassi family tree is a blend of sport, migration, and resilience. The relationships below sketch the people who shaped Tami’s story.

Marriage, Children, and the Fallout of Fraud

In 2004, Tami married Lobsang Dargey. In 2017, Dargey, a Tibetan refugee and former monk turned Seattle real estate entrepreneur, pled guilty to wire fraud amid federal investigations into EB-5 visa transactions. Tami divorced him in 2020 after he served time.

In 2024, their daughter will be 16 and their boy-girl twins will be 9. Tami claims she was mislead and manipulated in the relationship. Although she has not been accused of criminal activity, the marriage’s financial repercussions have affected her life.

Financial Headwinds and Property Management

Tami has managed Seattle properties recently. Financial pressure increased in 2024 with huge tax payments and a 2.7 million dollar lawsuit over a hospitality agreement personal guarantee. Those reports showed her debts exceeded assets, prompting bankruptcy talks.

She was the landlord of Everett Public Market in 2025, when court documents put her in a landlord-tenant dispute. Her complaint claimed Sno-Isle Food Co-op tenant operations caused building damage and HVAC stress. The co-op claimed landlord negligence. As with many commercial real estate disputes, maintenance, repair timeframes, and cost allocation were at issue. Since 2017, Tami has navigated tricky, high-stakes financial terrain while caring for her children and staying afloat.

The Agassi Siblings and the Larger Legacy

Tami can be understood in the context of Agassi siblings. Her sister Rita married Pancho Gonzales, giving another Hall of Fame surname to the family. Her brother Andre is well-known. The Las Vegas youngster became a global legend with eight championships, a career Grand Slam, and a lasting imprint on tennis culture. He and fellow great Steffi Graf have two children, Jaden and Jaz.

Tami’s brother Philip is discreet, reminding us that not all Agassis have been famous. Tami is in-between. She witnessed tennis immortality and participated in the family engine that powered it. She has been quiet but steady in health, caregiving, and advocacy.

Timeline of Key Moments

Public Presence and Advocacy Voice

Tami carefully minimizes her public presence. She posts occasional professional observations on social media. Her stage is more podium than feed. As a spokeswoman and advocate for breast cancer efforts since the early 2000s, her personal struggle has shaped activism. Her voice resonates with real experience rather than stardom in a performance-oriented family.

Snapshot of Achievements and Ongoing Work

• Collegiate athlete at Texas A&M, signing in 1989.
• Breast cancer survivor since 2000.
• Co-author of a 2004 charity cookbook that supported cancer research.
• Longstanding advocate and speaker for breast and ovarian cancer awareness.
• Property manager navigating the labyrinth of post-2017 financial and legal fallout.

FAQ

Who is Tami Agassi?

She is the older sister of tennis great Andre Agassi, a former college tennis player, breast cancer survivor, and advocate.

When and where was she born?

She was born on April 8, 1969, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Did Tami Agassi play professional tennis?

No, she played college tennis on scholarship at Texas A&M but did not pursue a pro career.

What health challenges has she faced?

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and has since been active in advocacy and awareness.

What did she publish in 2004?

She co-authored Star Palate, a celebrity cookbook that raised funds for cancer research.

Who was she married to and what happened?

She married real estate developer Lobsang Dargey in 2004 and divorced in 2020 after his 2017 fraud conviction.

How many children does she have?

She has three children, including boy-girl twins.

Where does she live now?

She resides in the Seattle area.

Is she involved in business or property management?

Yes, she has managed properties and has been involved in landlord-tenant litigation related to an Everett building.

What is her public profile like today?

She keeps a relatively low profile, surfacing mainly for advocacy, family, and occasional public statements about her legal and financial situation.