If you’ve spent any time in Colorado, John Elway isn't just a former quarterback; he’s basically the state’s unofficial patron saint. People know his stats by heart—those two Super Bowls as a player, the executive run that landed a third ring, and that famous helicopter dive in Super Bowl XXXII. But lately, especially with the release of the 2025 Netflix documentary Elway, the chatter has shifted away from the gridiron. People are scrolling through their phones asking one specific thing: is john elway married right now, or is he flying solo these days?
Honestly, the answer is a very solid yes. As of 2026, John Elway is still married to his longtime partner, Paige Green.
They’ve been together for what feels like forever in celebrity years. While some stars swap spouses like they swap jersey numbers, Elway and Paige have been a fixture in the Denver social scene for well over a decade. It’s a second marriage for "The Duke," but by all accounts, it’s the one that has grounded him during his transition from the "face of the franchise" to a retired grandfather who just wants to drink good wine and travel.
The Italy Proposal and the 2009 Wedding
To understand where they are now, you’ve gotta look back at how this started. It wasn't some whirlwind Vegas wedding. The couple actually met back in 2005 at Marcus Allen’s celebrity golf tournament in Los Angeles. If you’re a sports fan, you know Marcus Allen and Elway are tight, so it makes sense that’s where the sparks flew.
Paige wasn't just a random guest, though. She was a former Oakland Raiders cheerleader and had even been crowned Miss California USA in 1990. She knew the world of professional sports. She knew the pressure.
After dating for about three years, Elway finally popped the question in 2008. He didn't do it at a steakhouse in Cherry Creek or on the sidelines of a game. He took her to Italy. They were on vacation when he asked, and he told the Rocky Mountain News at the time that he was looking forward to a "long life together."
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They tied the knot in August 2009.
Since then, they’ve been inseparable. If you see John at a charity gala or a Broncos game, Paige is usually right there. She’s become a massive part of the Denver community in her own right, mostly through her work with animal rights and local shelters.
The Previous Chapter: Janet Buchan
You can't really talk about John’s current marriage without mentioning his first. For nineteen years, John was married to Janet Buchan. They were the ultimate Stanford power couple—he was the star quarterback, she was a standout on the swimming team.
They married in 1984, right as his NFL career was taking off. They had four kids together:
- Jessica: The oldest, who famously introduced John at his Hall of Fame induction.
- Jordan: His more private daughter.
- Jack: Who followed in his dad's footsteps for a bit playing football at Arizona State.
- Juliana: The youngest.
Their divorce in 2003 was huge news in Colorado. It happened right around the time John lost both his father and his twin sister, Jana. It was a brutal stretch for him. Most people who grew up watching him remember that era; it felt like the end of an icon's "perfect" life. But that's the thing about Elway—he’s always been better at the comeback than the initial lead.
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Life at 65: Wine, Grandkids, and Documentaries
So, what does the marriage look like in 2026?
John turned 65 recently, and he’s moved into a phase of life that’s way more relaxed than his days in the Broncos' front office. He’s no longer the guy calling the shots on draft day or stressing over salary caps. He’s an executive advisor now, but mostly, he’s a "family guy."
In the Elway documentary that dropped late last year, we got a real look at their home life. Paige has fully embraced being a stepmother to John’s four adult children and a grandmother to his many grandkids. There’s a scene in the film where you see them all together, and it’s clear she’s the glue.
They spend a lot of time on their business ventures now. John has his 7Cellars wine brand, and they’re heavily involved in the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.
It hasn't all been easy, though. Recently, the couple had to navigate the fallout of a tragic accident involving John’s longtime friend and agent, Jeff Sperbeck, who passed away after falling from a golf cart John was driving. It was a freak accident, and authorities cleared John of any wrongdoing, but those kinds of things test a marriage. From everything seen publicly in late 2025 and early 2026, Paige has been his primary support system through that grief.
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Why the Interest Now?
Why are people suddenly so curious if is john elway married?
It’s the Netflix effect. When a legend like Elway gets the documentary treatment, a whole new generation of fans—and older fans who haven't checked in for a while—start Googling. They see him on the red carpet with a beautiful woman and wonder if it’s still the same wife from the 80s or someone new.
The reality is that John Elway has found a rhythm in this second act of his life. He’s traded the turf for the golf course and the Super Bowl ring for a glass of Reserve Cabernet. And he’s doing it all with Paige by his side.
What to Keep an Eye On
If you're following the Elways, here’s the latest on what they’re up to:
- Philanthropy: Watch for their "Bowl 'n' Bark" events and the Carousel Ball; they are still the king and queen of Denver's charity circuit.
- The Wine Biz: 7Cellars is expanding, and you’ll likely see them at more tasting events across the country.
- Travel: John has been vocal about wanting to see the world now that he's "done" with the 24/7 grind of football. Expect more sightings in Europe or on the coast.
At the end of the day, John Elway's marital status is pretty settled. He’s a husband, a father, and a grandfather who seems perfectly content to let the new generation of quarterbacks take the hits while he enjoys the life he built. If you were looking for drama or a secret split, you won't find it here. They’re coming up on 17 years of marriage, and they look stronger than ever.