Donna Kelsey has opened up about her ill-fated marriage to Ed Kelsey, saying they stayed married for many years “for the sake of the kids.”
The proud mother of NFL champions Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce was named one of Glamor’s 2024 Women of the Year: The Moms, along with Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé and Solange. It was featured on the cover of the issue. Maggie Baird, mother of Billie Eilish and Finneas. And Selena Gomez’s mother Mandy Teefey.
“I was a commercial banker for banks in several states. I wanted to move on. I worked really, really hard. I was the breadwinner of my family,” Donna, 71, told the magazine. Ta.
“And I think it’s important for kids to understand that women can do whatever they want, but it also gave me pause.”
She continued, “My husband and I both knew our marriage wasn’t working, but we stayed together for the sake of our children.
“Our relationship was very amicable, so we were able to make sure that their lives were as normal as possible in that way. But in that regard, I I stopped for a few years until I was able to move forward on my own.”
It is unclear exactly when the couple broke up.
Travis and Jason spoke about their relationship in the Amazon Prime sports documentary Kelce, which was released last year.
“I knew my mom and dad’s situation was different than other parents,” Travis said. “I used to go and stay with other people, but my parents didn’t stay in the same room, although the other parents stayed in the same room.”
“I started making those connections in middle school and realized they were probably going to break up, but I believe they were together for my benefit and Jason’s.” the three-time Super Bowl champion added.
In the documentary, Ed explained the sacrifices he and Donna had to make so their sons could pursue their NFL dreams.
“Had we separated, which is probably what we both wanted, it would have been a logistical nightmare to get the kids where they need to be and provide all the support,” he said.
Donna agreed, reminiscing that it was a “tough time” at the time while juggling childcare.
“When you’re a parent, you’re just trying to hold everything together,” she said. “It’s tough.”
The mother-of-two previously explained on an episode of her sons’ New Heights podcast that she actually ran into Ed at a bar in Cleveland on her way to another date.
Donna said the two “talked forever” and never went to see the other man.
Elsewhere in Glamor magazine’s cover story, Donna opened up about motherhood, saying, “Being a mother is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
“Going to work is so easy, but raising children is the hardest job you’ll ever have when they’re completely dependent on you and you’re trying to do the best you can with limited resources.” I had to,” she added.
