You know the name. Cal Ripken Jr., the "Iron Man" of baseball, a guy who didn't miss a day of work for sixteen years. In Baltimore, he’s basically a deity. But while fans were busy counting every single one of those 2,632 consecutive games, a lot of people lost track of the person standing next to him. Or, more accurately, the people.
Because if you search for Cal Ripken Jr wife today, you aren't just looking for one person. You're looking at two very different chapters of a very public life. Honestly, it’s a bit of a Maryland soap opera, minus the bad acting.
The Kelly Ripken Era: 30 Years and a Shocking Split
For the longest time, Cal and Kelly Ripken were the gold standard. They met at a nightclub in Cockeysville back in 1983—which, if you know the Baltimore suburbs, is just about as local as it gets. They married in 1987. For three decades, they were the "it" couple of Major League Baseball.
Kelly wasn't just a "plus-one" at the ballpark. She was a force. She was the one who went public with her struggle with Graves’ disease, a thyroid condition that most people didn't talk about back then. She founded the Kelly G. Ripken Program at Johns Hopkins. She was the face of the family's philanthropy while Cal was out hitting 400 home runs.
Then, 2016 happened.
The news hit Baltimore like a lead pipe: the Ripkens were divorcing after 28 years of marriage. It felt like the end of an era. People wanted a reason. Was it the travel? The pressure? The gossip mills went into overdrive.
The Kevin Costner Urban Legend
Look, we have to talk about it because everyone else does. There is a persistent, totally debunked urban legend that Cal’s streak almost ended in 1997 because he found out his wife was having an affair with actor Kevin Costner. The story goes that Cal was so distraught the Orioles faked a "power outage" at Camden Yards to keep his streak alive.
It’s fake. Total nonsense.
Both Cal and the Orioles have debunked this a thousand times. There was no affair. The power outage was real (a transformer blew). But even in 2026, you’ll still find people at bars in Fells Point who swear it’s true. It isn't. Kelly and Cal’s eventual split was quiet, legal, and handled with a level of privacy that’s almost unheard of for celebrities.
Who Is the Current Cal Ripken Jr Wife?
Fast forward a couple of years. Cal moved to Annapolis, traded the massive Reisterstown mansion for something on the water, and started a new chapter.
In 2018, Cal Ripken Jr. married Laura Ripken (formerly Laura Kiessling).
If you’re expecting a Hollywood starlet or a socialite, you don't know Cal. Laura is a powerhouse in her own right. She’s the Honorable Laura S. Ripken, a judge on the Appellate Court of Maryland. She isn't just "the wife"; she’s one of the highest-ranking judicial minds in the state.
A High-Powered Maryland Couple
It’s kinda funny to imagine the dinner table conversations. You have one of the greatest athletes of all time and a woman who spent years as an Administrative Judge in Anne Arundel County and now sits on the state's second-highest court.
They’ve been together for years now, living a relatively low-profile life in Annapolis. Between them, they have four grown children:
- Rachel Ripken: Cal’s daughter, who works in sports marketing.
- Ryan Ripken: Cal’s son, who played in the minors and is now a popular sports media personality in Baltimore.
- Madison and Trey: Laura’s children from a previous relationship.
Basically, they’ve built a modern, blended family that stays out of the tabloids and focuses on the community. Laura even sits on the board of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
Why the Narrative Matters
People get weirdly protective of sports icons. When Cal and Kelly divorced, some fans felt "cheated," which is a wild thing to feel about someone else's marriage. But seeing Cal and Laura together now, it’s clear that life doesn't end after the "Iron Man" streak or a long-term marriage.
Laura Ripken has her own identity. She was a Deputy State’s Attorney. She chaired the Conference of Circuit Judges. She’s a Lehigh grad who worked her way up from being a law clerk. She doesn't need the "Ripken" name for status—she already had the status.
Actionable Insights: What You Should Know
If you're following the Ripken family or just curious about the current status, here are the real takeaways:
- Check the Facts: If you hear the Kevin Costner story, ignore it. It’s the "Bigfoot" of baseball rumors.
- Respect the Career: Laura S. Ripken is a sitting judge on the Appellate Court of Maryland. In professional circles, she is addressed as Judge Ripken, not just Mrs. Ripken.
- The Foundation Continues: The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is still the best place to see the family’s impact. They’ve built over 100 youth development parks across the country.
- Follow the Kids: If you want the most "human" look at the family, follow Ryan Ripken on social media. He’s done a great job of carving out his own path while honoring his dad’s legacy.
Life is rarely a straight line. Cal Ripken Jr. spent 21 years playing for one team, but his personal life has had two very distinct, very successful acts. Whether it was the decades spent with Kelly or this high-powered chapter with Laura, the "Iron Man" seems to have figured out that even after the game ends, the work of building a family never really stops.
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Next Steps: If you're interested in the Ripken legacy, you can look up the latest projects from the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation or catch Ryan Ripken's latest commentary on the Orioles' current season.