Mari Hakuta is best known as the eldest daughter of comedian and actress Ali Wong and entrepreneur Justin Hakuta. Born in November 2015, Mari is the couple’s first child and has a younger sister, Nikki Hakuta.
Mari’s public recognition stems entirely from her parents’ prominence—particularly her mother Ali Wong, a celebrated stand-up comedian famous for her Netflix specials Baby Cobra, Hard Knock Wife, and Don Wong, as well as the film Always Be My Maybe. Ali Wong was pregnant with Mari during the filming of her breakthrough 2016 comedy special Baby Cobra, creating a notable connection between Mari’s birth and her mother’s rise to fame.
At 10 years old (as of 2026), Mari Hakuta leads a private life away from the spotlight, with her parents committed to co-parenting amicably following their divorce in 2024.
Mari Hakuta at a Glance
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mari Hakuta |
| Also Known As | Mari Justin (court documents) |
| Known For | Daughter of Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta |
| Date of Birth | November 2015 (reportedly November 24) |
| Age | 10 years old (as of September 2026) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Ali Wong (mother), Justin Hakuta (father) |
| Siblings | Nikki Hakuta (younger sister) |
| Paternal Grandfather | Ken Hakuta (“Dr. Fad”) |
| Profession | Student |
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Biography & Early Life
Birth & Family Background
Mari Hakuta was born in November 2015 in the United States. Her birth was reportedly on November 24, though this exact date has not been independently verified through official records. She was delivered via emergency cesarean section following a 24-hour labor, according to celebrity family reports.
Her parents, Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta, had married just a year earlier, on November 27, 2014. Mari’s birth coincided with a pivotal moment in her mother’s career—Ali Wong was pregnant with Mari during the filming of her breakthrough Netflix stand-up special Baby Cobra, which was released in 2016.
Mari is of mixed ethnicity. Her father, Justin Hakuta, is half-Japanese and half-Filipino, while her mother, Ali Wong, is of Vietnamese-Chinese descent. This rich cultural heritage has been a meaningful aspect of her family’s identity.
Name Origin
Ali Wong has shared that she chose a Japanese first name for her daughter to honor her husband Justin Hakuta’s Japanese heritage. In interviews, Wong has joked that she was “extremely nervous her husband wouldn’t love their firstborn,” so she gave Mari a Japanese name hoping to solidify his affection for their child.
Wong also noted that “there’s not a lot of sign of me in her name,” reflecting her choice to honor her husband’s cultural background rather than her own. Some sources have also suggested a connection to Marie Kondo, though this remains unconfirmed.
Upbringing
Mari Hakuta has been raised in a loving household alongside her younger sister, Nikki. Ali Wong has spoken publicly about raising her daughters with a strong sense of cultural pride. She told the New York Times:
“Very proud to be [raising my daughters] around all of these creative and soulful Asian Americans. I want them to grow up with a strong sense of pride and know that people who look like us are capable of so much.”
Ali Wong’s 2019 bestselling book, Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life, was written as letters to Mari and her sister Nikki, offering life advice and sharing stories from her career and upbringing. The book received widespread acclaim and was a New York Times bestseller.
Family
Parents — Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta
Ali Wong (born Alexandra Dawn Wong) is Mari Hakuta’s mother. She is one of the most prominent Asian American comedians working today, known for her sharp, honest comedy about motherhood, relationships, and her cultural experiences. Her Netflix specials—Baby Cobra (2016), Hard Knock Wife (2018), and Don Wong (2022)—have been widely praised. She also starred in and co-wrote the romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe (2019) alongside Randall Park.
Wong began her career in stand-up comedy in New York and San Francisco before gaining national attention. She has also appeared in television series such as American Housewife, Tuca & Bertie, and Black Box.
Justin Hakuta is Mari’s father. An entrepreneur and Fulbright scholar, he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is the son of Ken Hakuta, the Korean-American inventor and television personality known as “Dr. Fad.”
Justin Hakuta has maintained a lower public profile than his wife, focusing on his business ventures and family. He has been described as supportive of Wong’s career throughout their marriage and co-parenting relationship.
Relationship Timeline:
- Married: November 27, 2014
- Separation Announced: April 2022
- Divorce Finalized: May 2024
- Co-Parenting: Ongoing
Sister — Nikki Hakuta
Mari has a younger sister, Nikki Hakuta, who was born in December 2017. Like Mari, Nikki is a minor child with no public social media presence. The sisters are frequently mentioned together in articles about Ali Wong’s family life and in the custody proceedings following their parents’ divorce.
Ali Wong has described both daughters as a source of inspiration and joy, often incorporating stories about them into her comedy. The sisters are close in age and share a strong sibling bond, growing up together in the spotlight of their mother’s fame.
Grandparents
Mari Hakuta comes from a notable extended family:
Ken Hakuta (paternal grandfather): Known as “Dr. Fad,” Ken Hakuta is a Korean-American businessman, inventor, and television personality. He became famous in the 1980s for his invention, the “Wacky WallWalker,” a sticky, octopus-like toy that became a massive hit. He hosted the TV show Dr. Fad and has been a successful entrepreneur.
Marilou Cantiller (paternal grandmother): A Filipina who met Ken Hakuta while both worked at the World Bank. Their cross-cultural marriage contributed to the diverse heritage that Mari and her sister Nikki inherit.
Adolphus Wong (maternal grandfather): Ali Wong’s father, who passed away from cancer in 2011. He was an anesthesiologist and a significant figure in Ali’s life and comedy.
Maternal grandmother: Not publicly named, but Ali Wong has credited her mother with helping raise Mari and Nikki, particularly during the busy periods of her career.
Parents’ Relationship & Co-Parenting
Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta’s relationship has been widely covered in the media. After their separation announcement in April 2022, the couple finalized their divorce in May 2024. In early 2024, Justin Hakuta filed court documents requesting joint legal and physical custody of both daughters. The court papers identified the children as “Nikki Alex, 6, and Mari Justin, 8.”
Despite their divorce, Wong and Hakuta have maintained a commitment to co-parenting their daughters amicably, prioritizing their children’s well-being. Public statements from both parents have reflected a mature and cooperative approach to raising Mari and Nikki.
Age & Birth Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 2015 (reportedly November 24) |
| Age | 10 years old (as of September 2026) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius (if November 24 is accurate) |
| Generation | Generation Alpha |
Note: While Mari Hakuta’s birth year is confirmed as 2015, the exact date of November 24 comes from celebrity biography sources and has not been independently verified through official records. The age calculation is based on the reported birth date.
Career, Height & Net Worth
Career
Mari Hakuta is a school-age child with no documented professional career. She is known exclusively as the daughter of Ali Wong and Justin Hakuta. As a child, her primary focus is on her education and personal development, rather than any public career.
For context, her mother Ali Wong’s career includes:
- Netflix comedy specials: Baby Cobra (2016), Hard Knock Wife (2018), Don Wong (2022)
- Film: Always Be My Maybe (2019), co-writer and star
- Book: Dear Girls (2019), New York Times bestseller
- Television appearances and voice work
Height
Mari Hakuta’s height is not reliably available from public sources. As a minor child, her physical measurements are not publicly documented. Any figures found online are speculative and should be treated as unverified.
Net Worth
Mari Hakuta does not have a personal net worth. She is a minor child with no independent income, salary, or earnings. While her mother Ali Wong has an estimated net worth of approximately $4 million, this is not Mari’s personal net worth. Her father Justin Hakuta is estimated to have a net worth of approximately $1.2 million, also not attributable to Mari.
Important: Financial information about parents should not be confused with Mari’s personal financial status. She has no independent income sources.
Current Status & Privacy
As of 2026, Mari Hakuta is 10 years old and living a private life as a school-age child. She and her younger sister Nikki are being raised in a co-parenting arrangement between their mother Ali Wong and father Justin Hakuta following their divorce in 2024.
Privacy Considerations:
- Mari Hakuta does not have a public social media presence
- Her parents have taken steps to protect her privacy from excessive media attention
- She rarely appears in the media, with any public sightings typically occurring through her mother’s social media posts or occasional celebrity news coverage
- She lives a life appropriate for her age, focused on education, family, and personal development
Future Prospects:
Given her young age, Mari’s future path remains open and undefined. She may eventually pursue a career in entertainment, following in her mother’s footsteps, or choose a completely different path in academia, business, or any other field. For now, her childhood is being preserved away from the public eye.
Lesser-Known Facts About Mari Hakuta
- Mari Hakuta is the elder daughter of comedian Ali Wong and entrepreneur Justin Hakuta. She has a younger sister, Nikki.
- She was born in November 2015 and is 10 years old as of 2026.
- Ali Wong was pregnant with Mari during the filming of her breakthrough Netflix special Baby Cobra (2016), making Mari a part of her mother’s career story from the beginning.
- Mari was reportedly delivered via emergency C-section following 24 hours of labor.
- Her name is Japanese, chosen by Ali Wong to honor her husband Justin Hakuta’s Japanese heritage. Wong joked that she was nervous her husband wouldn’t love their firstborn, so she gave her a Japanese name.
- She has a younger sister, Nikki Hakuta, who was born in December 2017.
- Her paternal grandfather is Ken Hakuta, the inventor and television personality known as “Dr. Fad,” famous for creating the “Wacky WallWalker” toy in the 1980s.
- Ali Wong’s bestselling book Dear Girls (2019) was written as letters to Mari and her younger sister, offering life advice and sharing stories from Wong’s life.
- Mari’s parents married in 2014 and separated in 2022, with their divorce finalized in May 2024.
- Court documents list her full name as “Mari Justin,” incorporating her father Justin Hakuta’s first name as a middle name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mari Hakuta?
Mari Hakuta is the eldest daughter of comedian Ali Wong and entrepreneur Justin Hakuta. She was born in November 2015 and is known primarily through her family connection to her famous mother.
How old is Mari Hakuta?
As of September 2026, Mari Hakuta is 10 years old. She was born in November 2015.
Who are Mari Hakuta’s parents?
Mari Hakuta’s parents are Ali Wong (mother), a famous stand-up comedian and actress, and Justin Hakuta (father), an entrepreneur and Harvard Business School graduate.
Does Mari Hakuta have siblings?
Yes, Mari Hakuta has a younger sister named Nikki Hakuta, who was born in December 2017.
When was Mari Hakuta born?
Mari Hakuta was born in November 2015. Some sources report her birthday as November 24, though this has not been independently verified.
What is Mari Hakuta known for?
Mari Hakuta is known for being the eldest daughter of comedian Ali Wong and entrepreneur Justin Hakuta. She has no independent career or public persona at this time.
How tall is Mari Hakuta?
Mari Hakuta’s height is not reliably available from public sources. As a minor child, her physical measurements are not publicly documented.
What is Mari Hakuta’s net worth?
Mari Hakuta does not have a personal net worth as she is a minor child with no independent income. While her mother Ali Wong has an estimated net worth of approximately $4 million, this is her mother’s financial standing, not Mari’s.
Conclusion
Mari Hakuta is a 10-year-old child who is best known as the eldest daughter of comedian Ali Wong and entrepreneur Justin Hakuta. Born in November 2015, she became part of her mother’s career story when Ali Wong was pregnant with her during the filming of the breakthrough Netflix special Baby Cobra.
Mari’s public identity is defined by her family connections—her mother, Ali Wong, is one of the most prominent Asian American comedians working today, and her father, Justin Hakuta, is a successful entrepreneur and son of inventor Ken Hakuta, known as “Dr. Fad.”
She has a younger sister, Nikki, and the two are being raised in a co-parenting arrangement following their parents’ divorce in 2024. Mari maintains a private life away from the spotlight, with no public social media presence or independent career.
As she grows older, the public may eventually learn more about Mari Hakuta’s own interests and potential career aspirations. For now, she remains a child whose story is intertwined with that of her famous family—a young girl with a rich cultural heritage and a loving family supporting her journey.
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