Travis and Jason Kelce became public figures thanks to their standout NFL careers. Now, they attract more attention than ever from fans, especially after the Chiefs’ tight end got engaged to Taylor Swift. Recently, their mother, Donna Kelce, spoke about raising such high-profile sons.
Even though Ed and Donna Kelce raised their children together, they are no longer married. She spoke candidly about what her marriage was like during the childhood of her two future football stars.
A strong decision for the Kelce brothers’ well-being
According to The Sports Rush, 72-year-old Donna Kelce revealed that she realized her marriage was falling apart when Jason and Travis were little. However, she decided to stay, handle the situation, take care of motherhood, and shoulder most of the household’s financial responsibilities.
Ed and Donna Kelce on the red carpet for The Kingdom premier event
pic.twitter.com/nTuPf0UO9g— BBQ Chiefs (@BBQChiefs) August 24, 2025
“I was a commercial banker and wanted to move forward, so I worked very, very hard. I was the primary breadwinner,” Donna told Glamour. She also emphasized that her goal was to show her kids that “a woman can do whatever she wants.”
Mama Kelce explained that she and Ed decided to stay together until their sons grew up. They agreed to prioritize Travis and Jason’s emotional stability.
“My husband and I knew our marriage wasn’t working, but we stayed together for the kids… to make sure their lives were as normal as possible. But in that sense, I stayed still for several years until I could move on by myself,” Donna admitted.
For Donna Kelce, that agreement worked. Her sons grew up to become great football players. Once she secured her independence, the marriage ended without conflicts, just as they had agreed in the past.
