When fans think about Jim Irsay, they usually picture the once-outspoken owner of the Indianapolis Colts, guitar in hand, talking football, music, or life in general. What often gets lost is that behind the public persona is someone who lived through very personal chapters that shaped who he was. One of the most important of those chapters was his marriage. Jim Irsay, who died in May 2025 at age 65 while in California, was married to Meg Coyle, a relationship that stayed largely private even as Irsay’s profile in the NFL continued to grow.
Jim Irsay and Meg Coyle’s relationship
Jim Irsay and Meg Coyle were married for several years before divorcing in 2013. During that time, Irsay was deeply involved in running the Colts and eventually became one of the league’s most recognizable owners. Meg, however, chose a very different path. She stayed out of the public eye, rarely appearing in media coverage and never seeking attention for herself.
That contrast defined much of their dynamic. While Irsay’s life played out in stadiums and headlines, Meg focused on family and privacy. After more than three decades together, Jim Irsay and Meg Coyle had already been living apart for years before their marriage formally ended. They separated in 2003, and after a long period of living separately, Meg filed for divorce on November 21, 2013 to officially dissolve their 33-year marriage
Jim Irsay and Meg Coyle's shared history and children
Together, Jim Irsay and Meg Coyle raised three daughters: Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson.
All three are now deeply involved in the Colts organization, serving in executive roles and representing the future of the franchise. For Irsay, that may be the most meaningful legacy of his marriage. His daughters are not just part of the team in name. They are actively shaping decisions and carrying forward the family’s role in the NFL. Despite the divorce, the family connection has remained strong.
Since separating from Meg Coyle, Irsay did not remarry. He had spoken openly about working on himself, focusing on recovery, mental health, and personal growth. Recently, Jim Irsay’s death returned to the headlines after reports revealed that federal authorities were reviewing the medical care he received before he passed. The longtime Colts owner died with initial reports citing cardiac arrest tied to pneumonia and other health issues. While the investigation drew national attention, officials clarified it was centered on medical practices, not the Colts organization, which said no team employees were contacted.