Kelly Ripken's bio: 7 interesting facts about Cal Ripken Jr.'s ex-wife
Kelly Ripken’s bio has drawn attention over the years, especially following her high-profile marriage and divorce from baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. Despite her connection to fame, she has kept much of her life private. From health struggles to philanthropy, there is more to her story than many realize. Here are seven interesting facts about Cal Ripken Jr.'s ex-wife.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Kelly Ripken’s bio: 7 interesting facts about Cal Ripken Jr.'s ex-wife
- 1. Kelly was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey
- 2. She was married to Cal Ripken Jr. for almost three decades
- 3. The Baltimore Orioles drafted her son in 2012
- 4. Kelly Ripken was diagnosed with Graves’ disease
- 5. She keeps a low profile
- 6. She has a sizeable net worth
- 7. She did not have an affair with Kevin Costner
- Where is Kelly Ripken now?
- What happened to Cal Ripken's first marriage?
- Where does Kelly Ripken live now?
- Who is Kelly Ripken married to now?
- Is Ryan Ripken married?
- What is Billy Ripken doing now?
- How old is Cal Ripken's new wife?
Key takeaways
- Kelly Ripken was married to baseball icon Cal Ripken Jr. for nearly three decades before their quiet divorce in 2016.
- She has been actively involved in women's health advocacy through Johns Hopkins Medicine.
- Kelly Ripken’s bio reveals a private yet impactful life shaped by philanthropy, resilience, and public curiosity.
Kelly Ripken’s bio: 7 interesting facts about Cal Ripken Jr.'s ex-wife
Many fans who know Cal Ripken Jr. have numerous question about his ex-wife Kelly. The famous personality saw her life change when she married the baseball star. Here are interesting facts about her.
1. Kelly was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey
Most people are not aware of Kelly’s interesting background. She was born on March 26, 1959, as Kelly Geer in Mount Holly, New Jersey, the United States of America, to Joan Marie Geer. This means that she is 66 years as of 2025.
Source: Original
2. She was married to Cal Ripken Jr. for almost three decades
Kelly Ripken married Cal on November 13, 1987, at the Townson United Methodist Church in Towson, Maryland.
So, how did Cal Ripken meet Kelly?
They first interacted in 1983 at a local nightclub in her hometown of Cockeysville, Maryland.
Interestingly, Kelly's mother, Joan Marie, was the first to meet her future son-in-law. They interacted at the Corner Stable restaurant in Cockeysville. She requested the star to sign an autograph for her daughter on a napkin. Cal wrote:
To Kelly, if you look anything like your mother, I’m sorry I missed you.
What happened to Cal and Kelly Ripken?
The two stayed married until 2016 when they got a divorce. However, Kelly and Cal separated a year before they made the split official. They had already had two children, Rachel Ripken and Ryan Ripken.
Rachel Ripken is 35 years old, born on November 22, 1989. Ryan Ripken's age is 32 years, as he was born on July 26, 1993.
Although people have been trying to get more information about their divorce, there’s hardly anything substantial. They choose to keep matters sealed.
Everything is private, so we’re not saying anything about the cause.
The Hall of Famer's publicist gave out a public statement confirming that their divorce had been processed but failed to give more information. He only revealed that his client had relocated to Annapolis from Baltimore, renting a home for the summer.
Source: Getty Images
3. The Baltimore Orioles drafted her son in 2012
Kelly Ripken’s husband baseball legacy is incredible, and now, it seems like his son is aiming for comparable accomplishments in the sport. The Baltimore Orioles drafted Kelly Ripken's son in 2012. However, he decided to enroll for college at the University of South Carolina. The Washington Nationals drafted him in 2014 after transferring to Indian River State.
People expected Kelly's son to develop an interest in the family sport, which he did. Hopefully, he will achieve as much as his father in his career and make his mother and father proud.
4. Kelly Ripken was diagnosed with Graves’ disease
Kelly Ripken was, for many years, misdiagnosed. Fortunately, she got the correct diagnosis from John Hopkins’s physicians, who informed her that she had Graves' disease.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition. It causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. This leads to an overactive thyroid, also called hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include weight loss, anxiety, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat.
Some people also develop bulging eyes. The condition can be treated with medicine, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
5. She keeps a low profile
Kelly Ripken has remained mostly out of the spotlight, revealing only small glimpses of her personal life over the years. After finalizing her divorce, she chose to focus on philanthropy and championing women’s health. She did this through A Woman’s Journey at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
6. She has a sizeable net worth
Source: Getty Images
Kelly Ripken's worth is not publicly known. Nobody knows how much she received in the divorce settlement from her ex-husband, whose wealth is estimated at approximately $75 million. His fortune came from a dominant sports career and immense popularity.
7. She did not have an affair with Kevin Costner
You have probably heard the story of Kevin Costner having an affair with Kelly Ripken. The rumours started circulating in 1998 in connection to a suspicious electrical problem that got a game cancelled.
What is the story?
According to the unsubstantiated narrative, after Cal caught his wife cheating, he was too distraught to play. His team had a game at Camden Yards. It is speculated that an Orioles employee caused an electrical malfunction to help the star player.
Is the story a realistic account of the events of that day? Not if Kevin and Cal's statements are to go by. The two have repeatedly denied the allegations, stating that the story is mere hearsay.
Cal Ripken first addressed the rumour in 2008 in an interview with NPR. Kevin Costner later blasted Fox Sports Radio host in 2001 for bringing up the story. Costner reiterated that he never spent more than a few minutes with Kelly his whole life and hardly knew her.
Where is Kelly Ripken now?
Kelly Ripken is reported to have relocated to Annapolis, Maryland after her divorce, focusing her time on philanthropy and women’s health initiatives.
Source: Getty Images
What happened to Cal Ripken's first marriage?
Cal Ripken Jr.'s first marriage to Kelly Ripken lasted from 1987 to 2016. The couple had been married for nearly 30 years before officially divorcing.
Where does Kelly Ripken live now?
Based on reliable public sources, Kelly Ripken currently resides in Annapolis, Maryland. This location aligns with multiple accounts stating she relocated there following her divorce from Cal Ripken Jr.
Who is Kelly Ripken married to now?
There is no public evidence that Kelly Ripken has remarried since her divorce from Cal Ripken Jr. in 2016. She appears to have remained single and continues focusing on her philanthropic efforts.
Is Ryan Ripken married?
As of now, there is no public record or credible reporting that Ryan Ripken is married.
What is Billy Ripken doing now?
Billy Ripken is a baseball analyst for MLB Network, co-runs Ripken Baseball with his brother Cal, and remains a minority owner of the Aberdeen IronBirds after selling their majority stake.
How old is Cal Ripken's new wife?
As of available reports, Laura Ripken (née Kiessling), Cal Ripken Jr.’s current wife, was born on February 9, 1964, which makes her 61 years old as of August 7, 2025.
There you have it, some interesting facts about Kelly Ripken, Cal Ripken Jr.'s ex-wife. Some of the points are fascinating, considering she rarely exposes the public to her private life. The Kelly Ripken’s bio reveals a woman who values privacy while still leaving a quiet mark in the public eye.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
Simon Ayub (Lifestyle writer) Simon Ayub is a Content Manager, Strategist, and writer who joined Tuko's team in 2019. He graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Agricultural Economics and is a CPA. Simon has over a decade of experience creating content for nyagah.co.ke, the Hoth and other platforms. He works on content encompassing biographies, fashion and lifestyle, gaming, and more. Simon was awarded the "Writer of the Year" 2024 on Tuko. In 2023, Simon finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and, in 2024, expanded their skills through the Google Initiative Course. You can reach him via simonayub@gmail.com.
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