You probably know the stats by heart. Two Super Bowl rings as a player, one as an executive, and that "The Drive" against Cleveland that basically turned him into a living god in Colorado. But when it comes to John Elway and wife Paige Green, the story usually gets buried under talk of salary caps or quarterback trades. It’s funny. We spend decades watching a guy’s every move on a field, yet we barely know the person sitting in the owner's box with him.
Honestly, their relationship didn't start in some Hollywood movie set. It started in 2005. That’s when Elway met Paige at a celebrity golf tournament. He’d been through it, too. His first marriage to Janet Buchan, his college sweetheart from Stanford, had ended in 2003 after nearly 20 years. That divorce was a massive deal in Denver at the time—the kind of news that stops traffic. But by the time he met Paige, a former Raiders cheerleader, he was ready for a second act.
The Reality of John Elway and Wife Paige Green’s Marriage
They got engaged in Italy. Sounds cliché? Maybe. But for a guy who spent his life in the trenches of the NFL, a Venice proposal in 2008 was a hard pivot toward a different kind of life. They officially tied the knot in August 2009.
People always assume being the "wife of a legend" is just about red carpets and Super Bowl parties. It’s not. Paige has actually been the anchor for Elway as he transitioned from "The Duke" to a businessman and, eventually, a grandfather. They don't just sit around talking about the '98 Broncos. They’re actually deeply into animal rights. Paige has been a massive force behind the Human Society of the South Platte Valley. She’s not just a donor; she’s in the weeds of it.
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Why Their Private Life Stays Private
You’ve probably noticed they aren't the types to post every single meal on Instagram. In a world where every celebrity couple is trying to sell you a lifestyle brand, John Elway and wife Paige keep things surprisingly low-key.
- They live in Cherry Hills Village.
- They spend a ton of time at their restaurants (Elway's Steakhouse).
- They travel—a lot.
If you ever see them out in Denver, they look like any other wealthy couple grabbing dinner, though John is usually the one everyone is staring at. Paige seems to handle that spotlight with a weirdly calm grace. It’s gotta be tough, right? Being the person who has to share your husband with an entire city that feels like they "own" him because of a few fourth-quarter comebacks.
What Most People Miss About the Elway Family Dynamic
There’s this misconception that second marriages mean the first family gets pushed aside. That’s just not the case here. Elway has four kids with Janet—Jessica, Jordan, Jack, and Juliana. If you watch the recent Netflix documentary Elway, you see the complexity of it. John admits he "sacrificed everything" for football. He wasn't always there.
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Now? He’s trying to make up for it. He’s "Papi" to seven grandkids. Paige has been part of that blending process for over 15 years. It’s not always a straight line, but they’ve made it work in a way that feels authentically... normal? Or as normal as it can be when you’re a multimillionaire Hall of Famer.
Business, Wine, and Moving On
Since stepping back from the daily grind of the Broncos front office, John’s life with Paige has shifted toward his other passions. Specifically, wine. He started 7Cellars.
Why? Because he realized he liked sitting around the kitchen table with his adult kids and his wife, drinking a decent Cabernet and just... talking. He even teamed up with Rob Mondavi Jr. to make sure the stuff was actually good and not just a celebrity vanity project. He’s also put money into Tom’s Watch Bar, showing that he’s not quite ready to leave the sports world entirely. He just wants to enjoy it from a booth with Paige instead of a sideline.
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Dealing With the Rumor Mill
Look, being famous in a town like Denver means people talk. There were rumors a few years back about tension, mostly because they hadn't been seen together at a few public events. That’s the "celebrity tax." If you don't stand for a photo op every six months, the internet decides you're getting a divorce.
The truth is usually much more boring. They’re just older now. They don't feel the need to prove their relationship to the public. They survived the high-pressure years of John running the Broncos as GM—a job that ages you five years for every one on the clock—and they’ve come out the other side still standing.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the journey of John Elway and wife Paige, here is what you can actually learn from how they handle their life:
- Prioritize the "Second Act": Elway’s transition shows that your identity doesn't have to end with your primary career. Whether it's wine or charity, finding a shared passion with a partner is key to longevity.
- Boundaries Matter: Notice how little they share on social media. In 2026, privacy is a luxury. Keeping your relationship out of the comments section might actually be the secret to keeping it healthy.
- Family Blending Takes Time: Don't expect a "Brady Bunch" vibe overnight. It took years of consistency for the Elway children and Paige to find their rhythm, and that's okay.
- Support the Causes: If you want to see what Paige is actually passionate about, look into the Freedom Service Dogs of America. It’s one of the organizations they’ve consistently supported together.
John Elway will always be the king of Colorado. But the older he gets, the more it seems like he's happy just being a husband and a grandfather. Paige Green didn't just marry a quarterback; she married the man he became after the cleats were hung up for good. That’s the part of the story most people miss, but it’s probably the most important chapter of his life.