Cal Ripken Wife Laura Ripken: Inside Their Private Marriage and Everyday Life in Maryland

Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. and his wife, Laura Ripken, offered a rare glimpse into their marriage in a February 2026 interview about the Hall of Famer’s life after baseball. Laura, a Maryland appellate court judge, described the couple’s quiet morning routines, shared meals and regular visits to Baltimore Orioles games. The interview brought renewed attention to the personal life of the former baseball star, who married Laura in 2018 following his divorce from his first wife, Kelly Ripken.

Ripken, 66, remains one of the most recognizable figures in American baseball. Best known for playing 2,632 consecutive Major League Baseball games, he has maintained a relatively private personal life despite decades in the public spotlight. His marriage to Laura has become an important part of his retirement years, while his earlier relationship with Kelly remains closely connected to his family history.

Who Is Cal Ripken Jr.’s Wife Laura Ripken?

Cal Ripken Jr.’s current wife is Laura Ripken, formerly known as Laura Kiessling.

She is an experienced American judge who has spent much of her professional career working within Maryland’s legal system.

Laura was born on February 9, 1964, in Washington, D.C. As of October 2026, she is 62 years old.

Unlike her husband, whose career developed in professional sports, Laura established herself through law and public service.

She worked as a prosecutor before becoming a judge and later advancing to Maryland’s appellate court.

Her professional achievements have attracted attention independently of her marriage to Ripken.

Although the couple occasionally appears together at sporting events and charity functions, Laura continues to maintain a career separate from her husband’s baseball legacy.

How Did Cal Ripken and Laura Kiessling Meet?

Cal Ripken and Laura Kiessling reportedly met through charitable activities associated with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.

The organization supports young people through educational programs, recreational opportunities and community development projects.

Their shared interest in charitable work helped establish a connection.

By May 2017, their relationship had become public after they appeared together at a Baltimore Orioles game.

Laura attracted attention when she caught a foul ball while sitting beside Ripken.

The moment generated curiosity about the couple, and a representative subsequently confirmed that they were dating.

At the time, Ripken had been divorced from his first wife for approximately a year.

Laura also had a previous marriage before beginning her relationship with the former baseball player.

Their romance developed away from extensive media attention, and they generally avoided discussing private details publicly.

When Did Cal Ripken Jr. Marry Laura Ripken?

Cal Ripken Jr. married Laura Kiessling in October 2018.

Their wedding took place during the first weekend of the month, after the couple had been dating for more than a year.

The ceremony was relatively private, with limited information released about the celebration.

News of the marriage became public on October 12, 2018, when Ripken’s representative confirmed the wedding.

Following the ceremony, Laura adopted her husband’s surname and became professionally known as Judge Laura Ripken.

The marriage marked a new chapter for both individuals.

Ripken had spent nearly three decades married to his first wife, while Laura had established a demanding career in Maryland’s judicial system.

Their relationship has continued through Ripken’s retirement years and Laura’s professional advancement.

As of October 2026, the couple have been married for approximately eight years.

What Does Laura Ripken Do for a Living?

Laura Ripken is a judge serving on Maryland’s appellate court.

Before becoming a judge, she built an extensive career as a prosecutor.

She graduated from Lehigh University in 1986 and earned her law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1989.

After completing her legal education, she worked as a judicial law clerk in Anne Arundel County.

She later joined the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she handled criminal cases and held senior prosecutorial responsibilities.

Laura became an associate judge of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in February 2010.

In 2015, she was appointed the court’s administrative judge.

Her judicial career advanced again in January 2021, when Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed her to the state’s Court of Special Appeals, subsequently renamed the Appellate Court of Maryland.

Her professional background includes decades of legal experience, public service and judicial leadership.

Cal Ripken and Laura Ripken’s Married Life

Cal and Laura Ripken have generally maintained a low-profile marriage in Annapolis, Maryland.

However, a February 2026 interview provided an unusually detailed look at their everyday life.

Laura explained that the couple enjoys spending time together each morning before she begins work.

Cal often brings her coffee and prepares breakfast, allowing them to share a quiet moment before their daily responsibilities begin.

She also described her husband as an enthusiastic cook who enjoys grocery shopping.

One of his specialties is eggplant parmesan.

During the evenings, the couple sometimes relaxes at home, watches television or spends time outdoors.

Laura explained that Cal enjoys building fires and taking boat trips.

Their shared interest in baseball also remains important.

The couple regularly attends Baltimore Orioles games and watches the action from seats near the field.

Laura has said that sitting beside her husband gives her an opportunity to learn more about the strategy behind individual pitches.

Their relationship reflects a quieter side of Ripken’s life, far removed from the demanding schedule he maintained during his 21-year Major League Baseball career.

Who Was Cal Ripken Jr.’s First Wife Kelly Ripken?

Before marrying Laura, Cal Ripken Jr. was married to Kelly Ripken, formerly Kelly Geer.

The couple married on November 13, 1987, during Ripken’s successful career with the Baltimore Orioles.

Their wedding took place at Towson United Methodist Church in Maryland.

Kelly became a familiar figure during Ripken’s playing years, occasionally appearing alongside him at baseball events and public celebrations.

She also developed an interest in charitable work, particularly initiatives supporting women’s health.

The couple remained married for nearly 30 years.

However, their relationship eventually ended after a period of separation.

Their divorce was finalized on April 28, 2016, in Baltimore County.

The financial terms of their divorce settlement were not publicly disclosed.

Although the separation attracted media attention because of Ripken’s celebrity status, both maintained considerable privacy regarding the reasons behind their decision.

Does Cal Ripken Jr. Have Children?

Cal Ripken Jr. has two children from his marriage to Kelly Ripken.

Their daughter, Rachel Ripken, was born in November 1989.

Their son, Ryan Ripken, was born in July 1993.

Both children grew up during their father’s professional baseball career and experienced the attention surrounding his achievements.

Ryan followed his father into baseball and pursued a professional playing career.

He was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 2012 MLB Draft and later spent time in the Baltimore Orioles organization.

Rachel has maintained a more private public profile.

Ripken has occasionally discussed the importance of family and the challenges of balancing professional sports with parenting.

His marriage to Laura brought together a blended family, as she also has children from her previous marriage.

The couple have generally kept their children’s personal lives outside the public spotlight.

What Happened Between Cal Ripken and Kelly Ripken?

Cal and Kelly Ripken’s divorce became public in April 2016.

Their marriage had lasted approximately 29 years, making the separation a significant personal development for the former Orioles star.

A representative confirmed that the divorce had been finalized after the couple had already spent time apart.

Kelly’s attorney described her as a devoted mother and acknowledged the difficulties surrounding the end of the marriage.

However, neither Cal nor Kelly publicly provided a detailed explanation of the reasons for their separation.

Over the years, various rumors circulated about their relationship, but unsupported speculation should not be treated as established fact.

Following the divorce, Cal eventually began dating Laura Kiessling.

Kelly continued pursuing her charitable interests while maintaining a relatively private personal life.

Where Are Cal Ripken and His Wife Now?

Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Ripken reside in Annapolis, Maryland.

Cal remains involved in baseball through charitable activities, business interests and his association with the Baltimore Orioles.

In 2024, he joined the Orioles ownership group led by David Rubenstein as a minority partner.

He also continues supporting the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, which provides educational and recreational opportunities for young people.

Laura maintains her career in Maryland’s judiciary.

Their February 2026 interview highlighted a marriage built around shared routines, mutual support and an appreciation for spending time together.

For fans searching for Cal Ripken’s wife, Laura Ripken is his current spouse, while Kelly Ripken is his former wife and the mother of his two children.

Although Ripken’s extraordinary baseball achievements remain central to his public reputation, his relationship with Laura represents an important part of his life beyond the sport.