Virginia Halas McCaskey is making waves again! Chicago Bears’ principal owner has made yet another significant achievement, taking her career to new heights. Receiving a nomination among the Top 25 candidates in the “Contributor” category for the Pro Football HOF, Class 2025, she has left everyone in awe.

Since Virginia became the owner of the Bears in 1983, the team notched many victories, including the Super Bowl victory in 1985. McCaskey’s inspiring journey has captivated many, and fans are equally invested in the first lady of the NFL.

Who is Virginia Halas McCaskey and her family?

Virginia has a strong exposure to sports growing up in an NFL-enthusiastic family. The only daughter of George Halas, legendary Pro Football HOF, she has indeed become a top-tier name in the NFL world. After her dad and the ex-Illinois player’s passing in 1983, she has taken over as the principal owner.

Interestingly, the oldest NFL owner, McCaskey, 101, has a strong involvement with the given establishment that runs for over a century now. Her dad owned the Bears as the Decatur Staleys, which goes way back to 1920. And, since then, Halas’ family has been working for the Bears.

Allegedly, she attended Grange’s barnstorming tour with her dad and Bears during her younger years, circa 1925. Not only this but in 1932, Virginia extended her full support to the Bears at the game against Portsmouth Spartans at Chicago Stadium when she was 9. And, the team treated her with a 9-0 win.

Beyond her interest in football, she also focused on her academic career. She received her business management degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, the same college her hubby, Ed McCaskey attended. Probably, the love between the duo started here.

Virginia tied the knot with ex-Pennsylvania student Ed on February 2, 1943, on her dad’s 48 birthday. Reportedly, Ed also served in the Army during World War II. He also worked with McCaskey for Bears as chairman.

They both shared their 11 children together. Impressively, four of their eight sons are also involved in Beers. McCaskey’s sons George, Brian, Rich, and Patrick are all in higher positions. They have been serving as the chairman, vice president, administrator, and vice president respectively.

However, Mrs. McCaskey had to face personal setbacks in her life. Her husband passed away in April 2003. Not only this, she also lost her oldest son, Michael, ex-Bears president and chairman in 2020 due to cancer. Additionally, another setback came in her life in 2011, when her second-born child and ex-Bears vice president, Tim, died due to a long battle with cancer.

Despite these setbacks, it did not affect her professional life. McCaskey, including her family, has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. And, her major ownership of 80% of Bears’ stock indeed solidified her status in the NFL. However, she became the Bears’ owner by accident.

Virginia’s unplanned rise as Bears’ owner

After “Papa Bear’s” death, Virginia Halas McCaskey inherited the Bears by chance. However, there was no plan for making her the Bears’ owner. Virginia’s brother, George Halas Jr., was supposed to take command of Beers, but unfortunately, he died 4 years before “Mr. Everything” in 1979. Hence, the ex-football coach and executive’s only daughter became the owner.

Earlier, during an interview, McCaskey claimed the same. “I just assumed he would be the one to take over for my dad, and that put me in a great position. I would be able to enjoy all the perks and not have any of the problems. But God had other plans for all of us,” she remarked.

Since she has taken the Bears’ charge, McCaskey never turned her head back. Under her leadership, Bears garnered notable milestones. Along with 11 division titles, the team’s postseason bids cannot be avoided. During her ownership, the Bears have qualified for playoffs 14 times, and McCaskey has also witnessed the most Pro Football HoF inductees, i.e., 30 Bears.

Even, she feels proud of having four generations of her family serving for the Bears. When her team won the NFC Championship trophy in 2007, she reflected on this. “It was a glorious time. We had four generations of family on the field,” she stated. It is safe to say that she is continuing to build the franchise legacy with full devotion.