Peyton Manning might be one of the most recognizable faces in the history of the NFL, but his wife, Ashley Manning, is famously the opposite. She doesn’t do the reality TV thing. You won't see her chasing cameras or launching a branded lifestyle line. Honestly, she’s been the quiet powerhouse behind the "Sheriff" for over three decades.
If you’re wondering who is Peyton Manning married to, the answer is Ashley Thompson Manning, a woman who has been by his side since before he ever threw a pass for the University of Tennessee. They’ve been married since 2001. That is basically a century in "celebrity years."
While Peyton was busy collecting MVP awards and Super Bowl rings, Ashley was building a massive real estate portfolio and raising twins. She isn't just "the wife." She's a minority owner of an NBA team and the person Peyton credits with saving his career when he almost walked away in 2011.
The Frat Party and the Pastel Shirt
Most people assume a guy like Peyton Manning met his wife at some high-profile gala or through an agent. Nope. It was way more "normal" than that. They met in August 1993, the summer before Peyton started his freshman year at Tennessee.
Ashley’s parents’ next-door neighbor in Memphis had played football at UT and was hosting Peyton for a recruiting trip. He played matchmaker. He introduced them at a fraternity party, and the first impression wasn't exactly a touchdown. In his book Manning: A Father, His Sons and A Football Legacy, Peyton admitted he didn't exactly wow her. Ashley later told him his pastel shirt was a total turn-off.
Still, they hit it off.
The two navigated a long-distance relationship while Ashley attended the University of Virginia, where she graduated in 1997 with a degree in marketing and finance. Peyton has often called her the smartest person he knows, citing her time at UVA as the foundation for her sharp business mind.
A Secret Engagement and a St. Patrick’s Day Wedding
The couple is incredibly private. Like, "secret engagement" private. They managed to keep their plans under wraps because Peyton didn't want the media circus to distract from the football season.
They eventually tied the knot on March 17, 2001.
It was a St. Patrick's Day wedding in Memphis with about 600 guests. Even with a crowd that size, they managed to keep it feeling personal. Peyton’s father, Archie Manning, once noted that the timing was intentional—they wanted to get it done before the chaos of the NFL schedule kicked back in.
The Woman Who Saved His Career
This is the part of the story most fans forget. In 2011, Peyton was in a dark place. He was dealing with a series of neck surgeries that left his future in the NFL looking pretty bleak. He had no grip strength. He couldn't throw the ball. He was 35 and seriously considering retirement.
Ashley wasn't having it.
👉 See also: Shania Twain and Robert John Mutt Lange: What Really Happened
Peyton told Sports Illustrated that she was the one who pushed him to keep going. She told him, "Peyton, you've got to try. You've got to try." She knew he wasn't done, even if his body was telling him otherwise. That push led him to the Denver Broncos, a second Super Bowl ring, and some of the best statistical seasons of his life.
Beyond the Sidelines: Business and Philanthropy
Ashley Manning doesn't just sit in the owner's box. She’s a businesswoman in her own right.
- Real Estate: She started a real estate development firm and has built multiple "spec" homes.
- NBA Ownership: In 2012, she joined a group including Justin Timberlake to become a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies.
- The PeyBack Foundation: Founded in 1999, this foundation has provided over $15 million in grants for at-risk youth.
She’s also a mother to twins, Marshall Williams and Mosley Thompson, born in March 2011. The family now lives in Denver, where they’ve stayed even after Peyton’s retirement in 2016.
✨ Don't miss: Halle Berry mother and father: The complicated truth behind her family history
Misconceptions About Ashley Manning
A lot of people think she’s shy because she stays out of the spotlight. She actually addressed this in a rare interview with Indianapolis Woman magazine back in 2006. She said she isn't shy or aloof; she just prefers to let Peyton have the "shining" moments while she handles her own business.
What to Remember About the Mannings
If you’re looking for drama, you won't find it here. The Manning marriage is built on a few specific pillars that have kept them together for 20+ years:
- Privacy first: They don't share their kids' every move on social media.
- Mutual respect: Peyton relies on her business instincts as much as she supports his athletic ones.
- Philanthropy: They focus their public energy on the PeyBack Foundation and the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.
If you want to follow the couple's impact today, keep an eye on the PeyBack Foundation’s annual grant cycles. They continue to fund leadership programs and scholarships, including recent endowments at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). You can also spot the family occasionally at major sporting events, like the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they were seen supporting Team USA.
Check out the official PeyBack Foundation website to see how their charitable work has evolved since Peyton left the field.