Holly Bankemper is an American attorney from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, best known as the wife of NBC sports broadcaster and former NFL wide receiver Cris Collinsworth. She built a legal career spanning more than three decades while raising four children: Austin, Ashley, Katie, and Jac. Bankemper earned her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988 and has practiced as a general practice attorney and member of the Cincinnati Bar Association ever since.

She married Collinsworth on June 3, 1989, and the couple has stayed together for over 35 years. Unlike many spouses of public figures, Bankemper has kept a private, low profile life centered on her legal work, her family, and community causes in the Fort Thomas area.

Who Is Holly Bankemper?

Early Life, Family Background and Education

Childhood in Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Bankemper grew up in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, a small community across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. She was raised alongside a brother and sister in a close-knit household that valued education and responsibility. Her parents encouraged discipline and community involvement from an early age, values that shaped her approach to work and family later in life.

Highlands High School and Cheerleading

She attended Fort Thomas Highlands High School, where she was active as a cheerleader while keeping up with her academics. In 2019, the school named her Highlands Alumnus of the Year. She has also served on the board of the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, supporting local school programs.

University of Kentucky

After high school, Bankemper enrolled at the University of Kentucky, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1985. She continued cheerleading at the collegiate level for the Kentucky Wildcats before shifting her focus toward law school.

University of Cincinnati College of Law

Bankemper earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988. Founded in 1833, the school is one of the oldest law programs in the country. Her coursework covered legal writing, courtroom procedure, and case research, skills she would use throughout her career. Cris Collinsworth attended the same law school and graduated three years later, in 1991.

How Holly Bankemper Met Cris Collinsworth

The Precinct Meeting and Courtship

Bankemper met Cris Collinsworth at The Precinct, a Cincinnati restaurant and nightclub that Collinsworth co-owned while playing wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Mutual friends introduced the pair one evening over dinner. Collinsworth has said he was drawn to her independence and calm confidence, since she showed little interest in his football fame.

The Proposal

Collinsworth originally planned to propose to Bankemper on television during the 1988 MLB All-Star Game at Riverfront Stadium. He asked broadcaster Al Michaels to announce the engagement on air, but Michaels declined, saying it would put too much pressure on the moment. Instead, Collinsworth proposed privately on a bridge overlooking the Ohio River in July 1988.

Marriage and Family Life

Wedding and Settling in Fort Thomas

Bankemper and Collinsworth married on June 3, 1989, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, and local sports figures, including then Cincinnati Mayor Jerry Springer. The couple settled in Fort Thomas and built a colonial-style home overlooking the Ohio River, close to where Collinsworth had proposed.

Marriage Longevity and Philosophy

As of 2025, the couple has been married for 36 years, a long run by the standards of professional sports and broadcasting. Both credit mutual respect and independent careers for the marriage’s staying power. Collinsworth has supported Bankemper’s legal work just as she has supported his shift from football to broadcasting.

Legal Career as an Attorney

General Practice Law and Cincinnati Bar Association

Bankemper practices general law, handling matters such as family law, estate planning, and civil contracts rather than specializing in one area. She is a longtime member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and keeps her license current through continuing legal education. Some legal directories list her practice under litigation, which points to a broader range of casework than a strictly general practice.

Practice Locations: Fort Thomas and Longboat Key, FL

While most of her career has centered on Fort Thomas, Kentucky, professional listings also show Bankemper practicing law in Longboat Key, Florida. She has been a licensed attorney for over 36 years, splitting her professional presence between the two locations rather than working from a single office her entire career.

Balancing Legal Work and Family

Practicing law while raising four children meant long hours, court appearances, and detailed casework layered on top of family responsibilities. Staying in Fort Thomas let Bankemper avoid a long commute and kept her close to the community connections that supported her family life.

Who Is Cris Collinsworth?

Cris Collinsworth played eight seasons as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals after an All-American college career at the University of Florida. He retired from football in 1988 and began his broadcasting career around 1990, later becoming NBC’s lead NFL analyst on Sunday Night Football. He co-founded Pro Football Focus, a sports data and analytics company, and has covered Super Bowl 60 as part of his ongoing broadcasting role. He has won multiple Sports Emmy Awards for his television work.

Holly Bankemper’s Children

Austin suffered a shoulder injury during his senior season in 2014 that ended his playing career, but he moved into business afterward. As of 2025, Bankemper and Collinsworth have five grandchildren.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund Explained

Bankemper serves on the board of the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, a nonprofit that supports breast cancer screening and awareness in the Cincinnati area. The fund helps provide subsidized mammograms and screening ultrasounds for women who might not otherwise afford them, alongside ongoing fundraising events.

Fort Thomas Community and Education Involvement

Beyond the ProScan Fund, Bankemper has supported school fundraising efforts at Highlands High School, reportedly contributing to a $7.8 million renovation campaign. Her continued board work with the Fort Thomas Education Foundation reflects a long-standing commitment to her hometown’s schools.

Physical Appearance, Age and Personal Characteristics

Bankemper keeps a low public profile, so detailed information about her appearance is limited. Public photos show her at NFL events and family gatherings, typically dressed in classic, understated styles rather than following trends. She was born on November 23, 1964, making her 61 years old in 2026.

Net Worth and Financial Details

Bankemper’s net worth is reportedly estimated between $1 million and $3 million, built through more than three decades of legal work rather than her husband’s broadcasting income. Kentucky attorneys with similar experience typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually. The family’s combined finances also include their Fort Thomas home, a colonial-style property valued in the range of $1 to $2 million.

Lifestyle, Hobbies and Personal Interests

Away from work, Bankemper reads legal thrillers, historical fiction, and biographies. She gardens at the family’s hillside property and cooks regular family dinners. She also takes walks along the Ohio River and attends sports events, often sitting in regular seats rather than luxury boxes.

Privacy and Public Presence

Bankemper avoids social media and rarely gives interviews about her personal life. She attends major events alongside Collinsworth but keeps a clear boundary between her legal practice and his public broadcasting career. This approach has shielded their children from the level of scrutiny common among families of public figures.

Impact, Influence and Legacy

Bankemper’s three-decade legal career shows that a spouse of a well-known broadcaster can build an entirely separate professional identity. Her steady presence in Fort Thomas, combined with her board work for local schools and cancer screening programs, has shaped a household where all four children pursued advanced degrees and independent careers of their own.

Conclusion

Holly Bankemper built a long legal career in Fort Thomas and Longboat Key while raising four children and supporting community causes through the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund. Her marriage to Cris Collinsworth has lasted more than three decades, grounded in independent careers and a shared hometown. Her story reflects steady, private achievement built through law, family, and local service rather than public attention.

More Celebrity Profiles: Melina Gallo: Who Is John Rzeznik’s Wife?

FAQs

Who is Cris Collinsworth’s wife?

Cris Collinsworth’s wife is Holly Bankemper, an attorney from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, who has practiced general law for more than three decades.

How did Cris Collinsworth meet his wife Holly?

Cris Collinsworth met Holly Bankemper at The Precinct, a Cincinnati restaurant he co-owned, after mutual friends introduced them one evening.

When did Cris Collinsworth marry Holly Bankemper?

Cris Collinsworth married Holly Bankemper on June 3, 1989, in a ceremony attended by family and local sports figures.

How many children does Cris Collinsworth have?

Cris Collinsworth and Holly Bankemper have four children together: Austin, Ashley, Katie, and Jac Collinsworth.

What does Holly Bankemper do for a living?

Holly Bankemper works as an attorney, practicing general law in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and Longboat Key, Florida.

Is Cris Collinsworth still married?

Yes, Cris Collinsworth is still married to his college sweetheart, Holly Bankemper, as of 2025.

How old is Holly Bankemper?

Holly Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964, making her 61 years old as of 2026.

What is Holly Bankemper’s net worth?

Holly Bankemper’s net worth is reportedly estimated between $1 million and $3 million, built through her legal career.