Holly Bankemper is an American attorney who has built a long career in law while keeping her personal life mostly away from public attention. She was born and raised in Kentucky.
She is also widely known as the wife of former NFL player and sports broadcaster Cris Collinsworth. Beyond that connection, Holly has created her own identity through law, family, and community service.
This article explores Holly Bankemper’s early life, education, legal career, relationship with Cris Collinsworth, marriage, four children, charity involvement, family responsibilities, and the life she leads today.
Who Is Holly Bankemper?
Holly Bankemper is an American lawyer from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. She has spent many years working as a general practice attorney while maintaining a private lifestyle away from television and social media.
She became better known because of her marriage to Cris Collinsworth. Cris built his public career first as an NFL player with the Cincinnati Bengals and later as a well-known sports broadcaster.
However, Holly’s story goes beyond being a famous personality’s wife. She has balanced her professional career with raising four children, supporting her family, participating in charity projects, and helping her local community.
Holly Bankemper’s Early Life
Holly Ann Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964, in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, United States. She spent her childhood in the same Kentucky community that remained important throughout her adult life.
She grew up with her parents, brother, and sister. During her younger years, Holly became involved in school and community activities and developed an active and social personality.
Her upbringing in Fort Thomas helped shape her connection with family and community. Instead of leaving her hometown permanently after becoming an adult, she eventually chose to build her family life there.
High School and Cheerleading
Holly attended Highlands High School in Fort Thomas. During her school years, she participated in cheerleading and became actively involved in student life.
Cheerleading gave Holly an opportunity to work closely with other students and participate in school events. Her connection with Highlands High School also continued years after she completed her education.
Her school years were an early part of a much longer relationship with Fort Thomas. As an adult, she remained involved with projects designed to support schools and improve her local community.
Holly Bankemper’s College Education
After high school, Holly continued her education at the University of Kentucky. She remained interested in cheerleading and became a cheerleader for the Kentucky Wildcats during college.
Her college years combined academics with extracurricular activities. Interestingly, the Kentucky Wildcats had a sporting rivalry with the University of Florida, where her future husband, Cris Collinsworth, had played college football.
Holly completed her university degree in 1985. Instead of ending her education there, she decided to pursue a professional career in law and continued studying at a higher level.
Her Journey Through Law School
Holly enrolled at the University of Cincinnati College of Law after completing her undergraduate education. Law school became an important period for both her personal and professional future.
She dedicated herself to her legal studies and prepared for a career as an attorney. During this period, Cris Collinsworth was also studying law after completing his professional football career.
Their paths crossed while both were building the next stages of their lives. Holly was preparing to enter the legal profession, while Cris was transitioning away from his years as an NFL player.
How Did Holly Bankemper Meet Cris Collinsworth?
Holly and Cris first met at The Precinct, a restaurant that Cris co-owned. Holly was having dinner with a friend when people sitting nearby helped introduce the two.
Their first meeting included a humorous misunderstanding. Cris’s friends jokingly described Holly as an older divorced mother, but the joke quickly disappeared once Holly and Cris began talking directly.
The two connected and soon started dating. Their relationship developed while they were dealing with law school, studies, career plans, and the important decisions that came with starting their adult lives.
Cris Collinsworth’s Proposal to Holly
By the summer of 1988, Cris was ready to ask Holly to marry him. He initially considered making his proposal during a televised baseball game.
Cris discussed the idea with his friend and broadcaster Al Michaels. After receiving advice against making such a public proposal, he decided to choose a quieter and more personal setting.
He eventually proposed to Holly on a bridge overlooking the Ohio River. The private setting suited their relationship and marked the beginning of the next chapter in their lives together.
Holly Bankemper and Cris Collinsworth’s Wedding
Holly Bankemper married Cris Collinsworth on June 3, 1989. Their wedding brought together relatives and friends as the couple officially began their married life.
Jerry Springer, who was associated with Cincinnati politics before becoming widely known as a television personality, was among the people attending their wedding celebration.
After marrying, Holly and Cris had important decisions to make about their future. They ultimately chose Fort Thomas, Kentucky, as the place where they wanted to establish their home and raise children.
Building a Family Life in Kentucky
Cris had professional opportunities that could have taken the couple to larger cities, including Los Angeles. However, Holly and Cris decided to remain closer to their Kentucky roots.
They established their family home in Fort Thomas. Their colonial-style house was located on a hill and offered views toward the Ohio River.
Living there allowed Holly to stay connected with the community where she grew up. It also provided a familiar environment where the couple could raise their growing family together.
Holly Bankemper’s Career as a Lawyer
Holly developed her own professional identity as a general practice attorney. Her legal career gave her a path separate from the sports and television career associated with her husband.
She became connected with the Cincinnati Bar Association and worked with people who needed legal services. Her professional activities have included legal work connected with Kentucky and Florida.
Unlike Cris, Holly did not build a career requiring regular television appearances. She generally remained outside the entertainment spotlight and concentrated on her profession, family, and community responsibilities.
Holly Bankemper and Cris Collinsworth’s Children
Holly and Cris became parents to four children: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac Collinsworth. Raising their children became a major part of Holly’s life alongside her legal career.
Their children eventually followed different educational and professional paths. Their interests have included marketing, football, business, psychology, athletics, content work, and sports broadcasting.
Holly remained closely involved with the family while Cris frequently traveled for sports broadcasting. Over time, their family expanded further as their adult children married and welcomed children of their own.
Katie Collinsworth
Katie Collinsworth is Holly and Cris’s oldest daughter. She studied public relations before developing a professional career connected with marketing.
Katie was also involved with the NBC Olympics in 2012. Her professional interests have therefore included communications and work connected with a major international sporting event.
She later married Patrick Hughes, and the couple have four children. Their growing family also made Holly a grandmother and added another generation to the Collinsworth family.
Austin Collinsworth
Austin Collinsworth followed a path strongly connected with football. He attended Notre Dame and became captain of the university’s football team.
An injury eventually affected his playing career, but Austin continued building a professional future away from competing on the football field.
He later moved into business and became COO at Pro Football Focus. His career allowed him to remain connected with football while working from the business side of the sport.
Ashley Collinsworth
Ashley Collinsworth attended Harvard University. During her time there, she was involved in athletics and competed as a runner on Harvard’s track team.
Alongside athletics, Ashley concentrated on her education and earned a degree in psychology. She later entered professional work as a content director.
Ashley married Jared Briley in 2023. The couple welcomed a daughter named Collins in 2024, further expanding Holly and Cris Collinsworth’s family.
Jac Collinsworth
Jac Collinsworth followed a career path similar to his father’s by entering sports broadcasting. His work eventually brought him to NBC Sports.
Working in broadcasting allowed Jac to combine an interest in sports with television. His professional career has made him one of the more publicly visible members of the Collinsworth children.
His career also represents another strong sporting connection within the family. While Cris became known through football and broadcasting, Jac established his own place in sports media.
Holly’s Role in the Collinsworth Family
Holly managed significant family responsibilities while continuing her work as an attorney. Cris’s broadcasting career often required travel around the country for games and television assignments.
During these busy periods, Holly remained closely involved with everyday family life. She helped care for the children and maintained stability at home while balancing professional responsibilities.
Her contribution became an important part of how the family operated. Cris has described Holly as a strong person and has recognized the major role she played during their busiest family years.
Holly Bankemper’s Charity Work
Holly has also been involved with charitable causes. One important area of her community involvement has been supporting breast cancer screening and awareness initiatives.
She has worked with the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, an organization focused on helping women receive breast cancer screening and related support.
Her involvement has included helping organize events, raising funds, and increasing awareness. The work reflects her broader interest in supporting people and contributing to causes within her community.
Supporting Education in Her Hometown
Education has remained another important part of Holly’s community involvement. Her connection with Fort Thomas did not end after she completed school and began her professional career.
She has participated in efforts that raised more than $7 million for improvements to local schools. These projects included support connected with the same high school she attended.
This community work shows the long connection between Holly and her hometown. She built her own career and family there while also contributing to projects designed to benefit future students.
Holly Bankemper’s Private Lifestyle
Despite being married to a recognizable sports broadcaster, Holly has generally preferred a quieter lifestyle. She does not regularly seek media attention or make her personal life a public attraction.
She rarely appears in the spotlight and does not build her identity around social media. Most of her attention has remained focused on her work, family, charity projects, and community.
This difference between Holly and Cris is notable. Cris has spent decades in highly visible sports roles, while Holly has maintained a more private professional and family life.
Holly Bankemper’s Age and Appearance
Holly Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964. Based on that birth date, she turns 62 years old on November 23, 2026.
She is listed as approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is around 170 centimeters. Her weight is listed at approximately 145 pounds, or about 65 kilograms.
Holly has blonde hair and green eyes. During her younger years, she was physically active through cheerleading in both high school and college before later concentrating on law and family life.
Holly Bankemper’s Net Worth
Holly Bankemper’s net worth is estimated at around $3 million in 2026. Her long professional career as an attorney is associated with her personal financial position.
She has worked in law for many years rather than depending entirely on her husband’s public career. Her professional life began after completing her legal education.
Money, however, has never been the main public focus of Holly’s story. Her career, family responsibilities, community involvement, and charitable activities form much larger parts of her biography.
Where Is Holly Bankemper Now?
Holly continues to live in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, the hometown where she spent her childhood. She shares her life there with her husband, Cris Collinsworth.
Her present life combines family time with legal work, charitable involvement, and local projects. She also enjoys a growing family that now includes grandchildren.
Rather than moving toward a more public lifestyle, Holly has continued following the private approach that has characterized much of her adult life. Fort Thomas remains central to her personal story.
Final Thoughts
Holly Bankemper has created a life that combines professional achievement, marriage, motherhood, and community involvement. Her legal career gave her an identity beyond her connection with a famous sports broadcaster.
Her marriage to Cris Collinsworth has lasted since 1989, and together they raised four children. Holly also balanced her family responsibilities with law, charity projects, and support for local education.
Today, she remains closely connected with Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Her journey reflects a long commitment to her career, hometown, charitable causes, husband, children, and growing extended family.
(FAQs)
Who is Holly Bankemper?
Holly Bankemper is an American attorney from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. She is also known as Cris Collinsworth’s wife. She has built a career in law while raising four children and participating in community and charity projects.
How old is Holly Bankemper?
Holly Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964. She turns 62 years old in November 2026. She was raised in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and has maintained a strong connection with her hometown throughout her life.
What does Holly Bankemper do for a living?
Holly Bankemper works as an attorney. She studied at the University of Cincinnati College of Law and developed a career in general legal practice while balancing professional responsibilities with raising her four children.
How did Holly Bankemper meet Cris Collinsworth?
Holly met Cris Collinsworth at The Precinct restaurant. They began talking after being introduced through people nearby and eventually started dating. Cris later proposed near the Ohio River, and they married on June 3, 1989.
How many children do Holly Bankemper and Cris Collinsworth have?
Holly Bankemper and Cris Collinsworth have four children: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac Collinsworth. Their children have pursued careers and interests involving marketing, football, business, athletics, psychology, content work, and sports broadcasting.
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