New Orleans is known for Mardi Gras parades and a love for sport. Well, those watching closely have seen Gayle Benson, owner of the NBA’s Pelicans and NFL’s Saints, manage both teams with a great hands-on approach. Benson’s proactive approach underscores her commitment to the success and stability of the two established franchises, as she continues to navigate the world of sports since inheriting the teams from her late husband.

Tom Benson was Gayle’s husband, and he made his fortune in the automobile industry before making a switch to sports team ownership by acquiring the Saints in 1985 and, more recently, the Pelicans in 2012. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Benson have shown unwavering support to both franchises through the years. Their objective remained the same, which was to compete on the court to win and make an impact in the community too. Here is everything you need to know about Tom Benson and his philanthropic life.

Who is Gayle Benson’s late husband Tom? Pelicans owner’s philanthropic ventures with her husband revealed

Gayle and Tom Benson met at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, where they attended mass. Soon, they started seeing each other and decided to exchange vows on October 29, 2004, in San Antonio, Texas. Tom and Gayle were married until his demise on March 15, 2018. A few years prior, they celebrated their 10th anniversary, renewing their vows at the very place they met for the first time.

During their time together, Tom and Gayle Benson were heavily involved in philanthropic work and believed in giving back to the community as much as possible. One such venture was the funding of the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Furthermore, the couple was even awarded the ‘Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice‘ in 2012, the highest papal honor that Catholic laypeople can receive, for their unwavering service to the catholic church by Pope Benedict XVI.

Their community service did not stop there! They continued the good work by donating to several noble causes, including a massive $20 million donation for cancer care and research, and a $5 million funding through their Gayle and Tom Benson Trust to Jesus High School. Most recently, in 2023, Ochsner Health System announced the construction of a new standalone children’s hospital with a big donation from Gayle Benson. Tom and Gayle’s contribution to sports and charitable causes will be remembered for years to come.

How many times has Gayle Benson been married?

Gayle Benson grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has been married thrice in her lifetime. Her first marriage was to Nace Anthony Salomone in 1967, which ended in divorce in 1972. She was then married to Thomas “T-Bird” Bird from 1977 to 1987.

She met her 3rd husband, Tom Benson, and they exchanged their vows in 2004 and were together until the latter’s demise in 2018. Now, Gayle lives life as a widow and has been carrying forward Tom’s legacy, spearheading his sports franchises and charitable causes.

Does Gayle Benson have kids?

Although Gayle has been married thrice, she doesn’t have any children of her own. This implies that she has no heirs to take forward the initiatives started by her and her husband. So, because of this, her succession plan includes selling the New Orleans Pelicans and Saints, the two beloved franchises of her husband, to a suitable buyer. But it comes with a condition that both the teams must stay in New Orleans and she plans to donate the proceeds to local charities. “Our intent absolutely is to structure the deals in a way so that both teams can be here for a very long time,” Saints President Dennis Lauscha said. “We want to make sure if a new owner is coming into this market, not only do they see that this market is viable, but they also can see that financially it makes sense.”