Jim Kelly’s wife, Jill Kelly, is a New York Times bestselling author. The retired Buffalo Bills quarterback and three-time cancer survivor met his wife Jill Marie Kelly during his career.
The couple shares a profound belief in Christianity and often reveals how their beliefs towards God allowed them to overcome assorted challenges in their life. They have faced numerous challenges, including the demise of their beloved son.
However, they have not let the tragedy undermine their relationship and instead conquer the problems by constantly supporting each other and providing unconditional love.
The couple had three children together. In addition, they share a non-profit organization in the name of their late son, Hunter, which we will discuss in more detail later in this article.
The article here primarily emphasizes the details about Jill Kelly, who has established herself as a writer, host, follower of Christ, speaker, and activist.
We will discuss everything you can know about Jim Kelly’s wife.
Table of Contents
Jill Kelly: Quick Facts
Before getting into the details of Jill Kelly, let’s look at the quick facts about her.
Full Name | Jill Marie Kelly |
---|---|
Date of Birth | Not Available |
Nickname | Jill |
Religion | Christian |
Sexuality | Straight |
Father Name | Jerry Waggoner, |
Mother Name | Jacque Waggoner |
Place of Birth | United States |
House Location | East Aurora, New York |
Gender | Female |
Ethnicity | White Caucasian |
Age | Not Available |
Profession | Author & Speaker |
Books | Without a Word, Peace in the Face of Loss |
Famous For | Wife of Jim Kelly |
Nationality | American |
Highest Qualification | Bachelor in B.A. |
School | Notre Dame High School |
College | Imperial College, London |
Height | 5’9″(1.75 m) |
Weight | Not Available |
Eye color | Not Available |
Hair color | Blonde |
Body Measurements | Not Available |
Body | Slim |
Shoe Size | Not Available |
Favorite Sports | Basketball |
Relationship Status | Married |
Husband | James Edward Kelly |
Children | 3: Erin, Carlyn (daughters), and Hunter (passed away) |
Siblings | 1, Jack Waggoner |
Zodiac Sign | Not Available |
Social Media | |
Merch |
Books
|
Net Worth | Under Review |
Last Update | August, 2022 |
Jim Kelly’s Wife: Jill Kelly
Jill Kelly attended Imperial College in London. She studied there during the outbreak of the Persian Gulf war. Moreover, she ignored her mother’s fear of terrorism and instead decided to study amid the chaos.
After acquiring her B.A., she ignored advice to stay in Western New York and left for Florida. There she moved in with her friends and earned a job in the cable T.V. industry.
Born to Jacque Waggoner and Jerry Waggoner, she grew up in the center of Attica, where they lived for more than a decade. One of the eight children from her parents, Jacque, gave birth to her daughter and her son before she was 21 years old.
Jacque went to the University at Buffalo and developed a career in computers.
Jill attended Notre Dame High School in Batavia. In addition, her teachers entitled her as a hard worker, a pleasure, intelligent, genuine, and a friendly kid.
Jill Kelly: Career
Before being the wife of a renowned football player, Jill was already used to the public glare.
The T.V. show “PM Magazine” profiled her when she was only 16 years old. Furthermore, the Batavia Daily News ran a front-page story on Jill.
Jill admitted that she liked working with Estee Lauder as she didn’t work on commission. She recalled that she usually works slightly less than 40 hours a week.
She likes to eat pizza and listen to music (from Kenny G to Van Halen).
Occasionally, she plays golf with her brother, a pro on the New York State Empire Tour, her dad, the former A-flight champion at the Attica Country Club, or her husband.
Jill Kelly: Involvement in Sports
Jill was an active sports player during high school. Her brother Jack was also equally enthusiastic and participated in sports activities.
The only deformity on Jill’s record involves her legendary inability to score in basketball. Her coach described her courteously as “more of a rebounder and passer than a shooter.”
James Edward Kelly, born on February 14, 1960, is a retired American football quarterback. He played for eleven seasons with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL).
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he attended East Bradly High Scholl. In addition, he was a standout there and won all-state honors after passing for 3,915 yards, one interception, and 44 touchdowns in his career.
He was one of the six quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft and selected 14th overall by the Bills.
However, he did not play for the Bills until the USFL folded in 1986 and chose to sign with the Gamblers instead. Nevertheless, he led one of the greatest NFL scoring juggernauts.
From 1990 to the 1993 season, Kelly guided the Bills to a record four consecutive Super Bowls. However, the team lost each game.
He also received first-team All-Pro honors in 1991 and was named to five Pro Bowls. Kelly is a devoted Jesus follower and has various business ventures.
How did Jim Kelly and Jill Kelly meet?
THE FIRST TIME JILL MET JIM, HE TRIED TO GRAB HER ATTENTION BY PELTING HER WITH ICE CUBES.
However, his tricks did not win him her heart or contact number when he asked how to get in touch.
She said that it was great to meet him but refused to be in touch. Later, he bought her a bouquet of flowers, and finally, she agreed to lunch.
Jill Kelly’s Bond with Jim’s Family
Kelly was impressed with Jill on her closeness with his family. He is known for his strong bond to his mother, who he refers to as “St. Alice,” and his siblings.
In addition, there is an incident where he broke up with his girlfriend because his family didn’t like her.
Jim opened up about the relationship in an interview with Buffalo Magazine that his family would have to accept the person he settled down with. Kelly also added that people say that’s not fair to the lady, and he also doesn’t think it is, but that’s reality.
According to Dan Kelly, the bother of Jim, the family stamp of approval is not a big deal for Jill. He said that Jim has this glow in his eyes that is clearly visible when he talks about her.
In addition, the most crucial member of the Kelly family gave Jelly the thumbs-up. Kelly’s mom is a great judge of character, and she loves her.
Jim Kelly & Jill Kelly: Engagement
Like every couple’s engagement, Kelly and Jill’s engagement was also surprising. Kelly surprised her by taking her to one of their favorite restaurants called Ilio DePaolo’s Restaurant in Blasdell.
Since they usually went to that place, Jill had an inch of idea about Kelly’s surprise. It didn’t appear like anything out of the ordinary to her.
Then he said that he had a particular dessert order, and she remembered that he was very shy the whole time.
A moment later, the staff rolled out a cake along with a bigger than 2-carat diamond ring on top. It was a marquis solitaire which Kelly selected out himself.
Overwhelmed with the situation, she started to cry and said, “I will” on the spot. The pair tied the knot on May 18, 1996, and has been together for more than 25 years.
Charity Works
Jill and Jim have founded various organizations and events in honor of their son, including the Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Hunter’s Day of Hope, and Hunter’s Hope.
When Jim was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002, his speech was dedicated to his late son. The speech stated that the toughest person he has ever met was his hero, soldier, and son, Hunter.
The Hunter’s Hope Foundation was established in his name to aid and fund research into the fatal disease and to offer support and hope to its victims worldwide. Likewise, the annual Hunter’s Day of Hope is held on February 14.
The Hunter James Kelly Research Institute was founded in 2004 at the University in Buffalo, where clinicians and neuroscientists research myelin and its diseases.
It is apparent that Jill’s impressive writing skills were passed to her beautiful daughters as they have collectively published the book series “Hot Chocolate with God.”
Jim Kelly & Jill Kelly: Children
Jim had three children named Erin, Hunter, and Camryn Kelly. His daughter Erin got married on January 13, 2018.
When Jim decided to retire, Jill was pregnant with their second child. The first boy of the family was born on Valentine’s Day in 1997 and named Hunter Kelly.
In addition, he shared a birthday with his father. Jim dreamed about playing baseball with his son.
But, unfortunately, when the boy was four months, he was diagnosed with Krabbe Disease, a chronic genetic disorder that affected his motor skills. So he never learned to speak.
Jill wished that Jim’s money or fame would provide a solution, but it couldn’t. At that moment, there was no cure, treatment, and earthly hope for the couple and Hunter.
Jill prayed to Jesus while Jim ran away. He was agitated that bad things kept happening and angry that God wasn’t with them. Unfortunately, it created a gulf between the couple.
On August 5, 2005, Hunter passed away due to a fatal disease at just eight years old.
Jill Kelly: Net Worth
There is no official information regarding Jim Kelly’s net worth. However, as per different trusted sources, the annual salary of an author in America is $61,240. In addition, Jill also earns a decent amount through her media appearances.
Moreover, she shares a massive fortune with her husband Jim Kelly, who has an estimated net worth of $25 million as of 2021. Although he retired more than two-decade ago, he still has a whopping net worth.
He has mainly accumulated this staggering net worth through his thriving football career. Moreover, he is also engaged in various endorsements and sponsorships.
Also, he founded Jim Kelly Inc. in 2011, a company that produces the MyFanClip line, which bears all sorts of team logos and other insignia.
In addition, he has also appeared in a few films that added a significant amount of wealth to his net worth.