Cal Ripken Jr. is a baseball legend celebrated for his remarkable achievements. Cal Ripken Jr. played his entire 21-season career with the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball.
Cal Ripken Jr.’s love life has caught the public’s eye. Currently, he’s married to Laura Ripken, and they tied the knot in 2018.
This comes after Cal’s previous marriage to Kelly Ripken, which lasted nearly three decades before officially ending in 2016. Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Ripken now live in Annapolis, MD, creating a blended family together.
In this article, we will explore Cal Ripken Jr.’s marriages, looking at his relationship with Laura & Kelly Ripken and how his personal life has impacted his lasting legacy.
Table of Contents
- Quick Bio
- Early Life & Background
- Cal Ripken Jr. Married Twice In Life
- Who Is Cal Ripken Jr.’s First Wife?
- Who Is Kelly Ripken?
- Why Kelly & Cal Ripken Jr. Filed For Divorce?
- Where Does Kelly Ripken live now?
- How Did Cal Ripken Jr. Meet Laura Kiessling?
- Cal Ripken Jr.’s Second Marriage
- Who Is Laura Ripken?
- Laura & Cal Ripken Jr. Have A Family Of Four Children
- Cal Ripken Jr.’s Career Achievements & Records
- Cal Ripken Jr.’s Net Worth
Quick Bio
| Name | Cal Ripken Jr. |
| Gender | Male |
| Birth Date | August 24, 1960 |
| Birth Place | Havre de Grace, Maryland, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | German, Irish, English |
| Zodiac Sign | N/A |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Remarried |
| First Wife | Kelly Ripken (m. 1987–2016) |
| Second Wife | Laura Ripken |
| Children | Rachel, Ryan, Trey, & Madison |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Profession | American Baseball player |
| Famous For | Playing for 21 seasons as the third baseman and shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles |
| Net Worth | $80 million (as of 2024) |
Early Life & Background
Cal Ripken Jr. was born on 24 Aug 1960 in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Growing up around baseball, he learned from players on his father’s teams, especially Doug DeCinces.
Cal Ripken Jr. started playing Major League Baseball in 1981 after getting drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1978.
He stuck with the Orioles for his entire 21-season career, earning recognition as a 19-time All-Star and a two-time American League Most Valuable Player.
Ripken also secured two Gold Glove Awards, marking a stellar contribution to the game of baseball. Cal Ripken Jr.’s impact on the game makes him a celebrated baseball legend.
Cal Ripken Jr. Married Twice In Life
Cal Ripken Jr. had two marriages in his life. His first marriage was with Kelly Ripken, and they got married on November 13, 1987. They have two kids: a daughter named Rachel and a son named Ryan.
Sadly, they divorced in April 2016. Cal Ripken Jr. then found love again and is now married to Laura Kiessling, a judge on the Appellate Court of Maryland. They got married after dating for over a year.
Who Is Cal Ripken Jr.’s First Wife?
Cal Ripken Jr.’s first wife was Kelly Ripken, and they got married on November 13, 1987. They first met in 1983 at a local nightclub in Cockeysville, Maryland, and had two kids together, Rachel and Ryan.
Kelly Ripken was a big part of Cal Ripken Jr.’s life during his baseball career, and they faced some tough times together.
Who Is Kelly Ripken?
Kelly Ripken, born in Mount Holly, New Jersey, on March 26, 1959, was originally named Kelly Geer. After graduating in 1977, she pursued a speech communications degree at the University of Maryland College Park.
While she is mostly known as the wife of the former baseball player Cal Ripken Jr., Kelly had an active teenage life, playing sports like basketball and softball.
Even though she didn’t have a big career of her own, Kelly also tried modeling, taking part in a holiday show for I. Magnin in Rockville with her daughter Rachel and walking the runway for designer Eleanor Brenner in a New York fashion show.
| Name | Kelly Ripken |
| Birth Date | March 26, 1959 |
| Birth Place | Mount Holly, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Husband | Cal Ripken Jr. (m. 1987–2016) |
| Gender | Female |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Profession | Public speaker, fundraiser, and event planner |
| Famous For | Being Cal Ripken Jr.’s ex-wife |
| Net Worth | $1 million to $5 million (as of 2024) |
Why Kelly & Cal Ripken Jr. Filed For Divorce?
Cal Ripken Jr. and Kelly Ripken went through a tough time when they told everyone about their divorce in 2016. Even though they were famous, they kept the reasons for their separation private.
After the divorce, Cal Ripken Jr. stayed focused on his career and personal life. The divorce was a big change in Cal Ripken Jr.’s life, but he handled it with strength and determination to move forward.
Where Does Kelly Ripken live now?
After the divorce, Kelly Ripken now lives in Baltimore, MD, at 7206 Bellona Ave, Baltimore, MD 21212. Since then, she has been actively involved in philanthropy, especially supporting women’s health, education, and wellness.
How Did Cal Ripken Jr. Meet Laura Kiessling?
Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Kiessling, now Laura Ripken, first met through charity work. Laura, a respected judge, added her legal expertise to their relationship.
Their love story blossomed in Annapolis, where Ripken’s move brought them closer. They eventually tied the knot in a weekend wedding, showing how love can flourish unexpectedly.
Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Ripken’s story is truly inspiring. It serves as an example of finding support and companionship in unexpected places, creating a heartwarming new chapter in Ripken’s life.
Cal Ripken Jr.’s Second Marriage
In 2018, Cal Ripken Jr. got married for the second time to Laura Kiessling, now called Laura Ripken. This was a big moment in Ripken’s life, marking a fresh start after his first marriage ended.
Their love story, based on charity work and mutual commitments, led to a weekend wedding, making their partnership official. Cal Ripken Jr.’s second marriage adds an important piece to his life’s story.
Who Is Laura Ripken?
Laura Ripken, born on March 31, 1961, currently serves as an Associate Judge on Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals. She represents the 5th Appellate Judicial Circuit.
Laura earned her undergraduate degree from Lehigh University in 1986 and later completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Laura Ripken possesses a solid legal foundation.
She has experience as an Assistant State’s Attorney from 1991 to 2006 and later as Deputy State’s Attorney from 2006 to 2010. Laura Ripken joined the board of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation in 2007.
Laura & Cal Ripken Jr. Have A Family Of Four Children
Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Ripken have a blended family with four grown children. They each bring two children from their previous marriages into their family.
Rachel Ripken
Rachel Ripken is Kelly Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr.’s daughter. Her LinkedIn profile shows that she helps and guides first-year students at the University of Tennessee.
She has also worked as a journalist for The Daily Beacon. We don’t have a lot of information about her personal life.
Ryan Ripken
Ryan Ripken, the son of Kelly Ripken and Cal Ripken Jr., hasn’t been as widely recognized in the public eye as his father. Information about his personal life and career is limited.
Trey
Trey is Laura Ripken’s son, and there is limited information accessible about his personal life.
Madison
Madison is the daughter of Laura Ripken , and there isn’t much information accessible about her personal life.
Cal Ripken Jr.’s Career Achievements & Records
Cal Ripken Jr.’s baseball journey is filled with incredible achievements that make him a legendary figure in the sport. In 1995, he set a historic record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking Lou Gehrig’s previous streak.
Recognized as one of the greatest players, he earned a spot on The Sporting News’ list of the “100 Greatest Baseball Players” in 1999 and became part of the MLB All-Century Team.
The Baltimore Orioles retired his uniform #8 in 2001. He entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, securing an impressive 98.53% of the votes.
Ripken’s records include most consecutive innings played, most home runs by a shortstop, and most double plays executed by a shortstop in the American League.
With 19 MLB All-Star selections, Cal Ripken Jr.’s career is a remarkable journey of enduring excellence in the world of baseball.
Cal Ripken Jr.’s Net Worth
As of 2024, Cal Ripken Jr. has an estimated net worth of around $80 million, mainly from his successful baseball career. Over the years, he earned a total salary of $70.7 million, with his highest earnings in a single season reaching $6.85 million in 1997.
