You’ve probably seen the photos. There is a grainy, vintage quality to them—a young girl with a wide smile sitting on her father’s lap, or a family photo that looks like it was plucked straight from a 90s scrapbook. These images are the few public glimpses we get into the life of Joseph Pete Jr., the man Megan Thee Stallion calls her best friend.
People talk about Megan’s late mother, Holly Thomas, all the time. It makes sense. Holly was a rapper herself, she was Megan’s manager, and her influence on the "Savage" superstar’s career is undeniable. But the story of Joseph Pete Jr. is just as foundational, even if it's shrouded in more mystery and, frankly, a lot of pain.
He wasn't a celebrity. He wasn't in the booths or the boardrooms. To the world, he was a man who spent a significant chunk of his life behind bars. To Megan, he was the person who taught her how to handle the world before she was even old enough to drive.
Who Was Joseph Pete Jr.?
Let’s get the facts straight. Joseph Pete Jr. was a Houston native, a man Megan has described as a "full-time hustler." That term carries a lot of weight in the South, especially in the rap community. It implies a certain kind of grit, a way of surviving and providing when the traditional paths are blocked off.
For the first eight years of Megan’s life, Joseph was incarcerated.
Think about that for a second. Eight years. That’s nearly a decade of missed birthdays, first steps, and the small, daily moments that build a childhood. Megan didn’t grow up with a "traditional" father figure in the house during those formative early years. Instead, her connection to him was built through prison glass and phone calls.
But here’s the thing that surprises people: they were incredibly close.
When he finally got out of prison, he didn't just fade into the background. He stepped up. Megan has said in multiple interviews—most notably with Rolling Stone and Marie Claire—that once he was home, they were together every single day. He wasn't just "dad." He was her best friend.
A Bond Forged in Houston
Growing up in the South Park neighborhood of Houston, Megan was an only child. In that small family unit of three—Megan, Holly, and Joseph—there was a fierce sense of protection.
Joseph’s role was different from Holly’s. While Holly was the one taking Megan to the studio and showing her the ropes of the music industry, Joseph was the one instilling a sense of iron-clad self-worth.
He saw how tall she was getting. He saw how she stood out.
Kids can be mean, and Megan has admitted she was bullied in elementary school for being quiet and observant. Joseph was the one who told her, basically, "Don't you ever let someone else's insecurities become yours." He taught her how to carry herself in relationships, how to demand respect, and how to never settle for less than she deserved.
Honestly, when you look at the "Stallion" persona today—the confidence, the refusal to be intimidated by men in a male-dominated industry—you're seeing the direct result of Joseph Pete Jr.’s lessons.
The Tragedy of 2010
Life has a cruel way of pulling the rug out just when things feel stable.
In 2010, everything changed. Megan was a freshman in high school, just 15 years old. She was navigating the typical teenage chaos of Pearland High School when her father passed away.
The details of his death aren't something Megan shares often. She keeps that part of her heart pretty guarded. What we do know is that losing him at that age—just seven years after he had returned to her life—was a massive blow.
Losing a parent is hard. Losing your "best friend" parent right as you're trying to figure out who you are as a woman? That’s a different kind of trauma.
The Pete and Thomas Foundation
If you want to know what a person meant to someone, look at what they do with their name.
In February 2022, on her 27th birthday, Megan launched the Pete and Thomas Foundation. It’s a non-profit designed to help underserved communities in Houston and beyond. The "Thomas" is for her mother, Holly. The "Pete" is for Joseph.
It’s not just a vanity project.
The foundation focuses on:
- Education: Providing scholarships and school supplies to students who need them most.
- Housing: Helping seniors and families who have been displaced by natural disasters or financial crises.
- Health: Addressing mental health and cancer care (a nod to Holly’s battle with brain cancer).
In July 2025, the foundation held its inaugural gala in New York City. It was a massive deal. Hosted by Taraji P. Henson, the event raised over $1.2 million. Megan’s boyfriend, Klay Thompson, was there, and big names like Lil Uzi Vert and Fat Joe were dropping tens of thousands of dollars for the cause.
During the event, Megan told People magazine that she feels like her dad is looking down, saying, "This is exactly what I knew my child was gonna do."
Why Joseph's Legacy Still Matters
It's easy to look at a celebrity and think they just popped out of nowhere, fully formed and confident. But Megan's story is one of profound loss. By the time she was 24, both of her parents were gone.
Joseph Pete Jr. represents the "inner work" of Megan Thee Stallion.
He is the reason she knows her value. He is the reason she doesn't back down. When people try to tear her down or question her success, she often references the strength her parents gave her. Joseph might have been away for the first eight years, but the impact he made in the seven years he had with her after prison clearly lasted a lifetime.
There is a lesson here for all of us, really. It’s about the quality of time over the quantity. It’s about the fact that your past—even a past involving incarceration—doesn’t have to define the relationship you have with your children. Joseph Pete Jr. proved that you can come home and be exactly what your family needs you to be.
Moving Forward
If you're inspired by Megan's journey or want to honor the legacy of the man who helped shape the H-Town Hottie, here are a few ways to engage:
- Support Local Houston Charities: Megan is big on her roots. Organizations like Bread of Life in Houston were some of the first she supported.
- Look Into the Pete and Thomas Foundation: They are constantly running programs for scholarships and housing assistance. If you’re a student or a creator in Houston, keep an eye on their application cycles.
- Prioritize Mental Health: Megan has been a huge advocate for "Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too." Losing parents young is a heavy burden. If you're dealing with grief, don't do it alone. Reach out to a professional or a support group.
Joseph Pete Jr. didn't live to see his daughter become a global icon, but his fingerprints are all over everything she touches. Every time she stands up for herself, that's him. Every time she gives back to Houston, that's him. He wasn't just Megan Thee Stallion's dad; he was the architect of her confidence.