When anyone thinks of football dynasties, the Halas family immediately comes to mind. And standing at the top of that legacy is Virginia Halas McCaskey, the remarkable 101-year-old owner of the Chicago Bears. She’s not just the oldest owner in the NFL, she’s also the first female owner of the game. Recently nominated among the Top 25 candidates in the “Contributor” category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, McCaskey continues to solidify her place in NFL history. But there’s more to her than just stats and achievements—there’s a story of family, football, and determination.
Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Net Worth And The Legacy She Built
Owning the Bears has certainly placed Virginia Halas McCaskey among the wealthiest individuals in sports. As of 2023, her estimated net worth sits between $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion, while the Bears franchise itself is worth an astonishing $6.3 billion. This positions the Bears as one of the NFL’s most valuable teams, and Virginia as one of its wealthiest owners.
However, despite this, McCaskey doesn’t rank among the top 20 NFL owners in terms of net worth, sharing a spot at 28th with Zygi Wilf, the owner of the Minnesota Vikings. But financial rankings aren’t what matters to her. For Virginia, it’s always been about the game and the family legacy she’s continued to foster.
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The Bears, The Legacy, And Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Role As Owner
Virginia Halas McCaskey has been the principal owner of the Chicago Bears since 1983, following the passing of her legendary father, George Halas. Any Bears fan or a football lover will know George Halas as “Papa Bear,” the man who helped shape the NFL as we know it today. Halas bought the Bears back when they were the Decatur Staleys in 1920, making this a franchise with a rich, century-long history.
Though Virginia never planned to become the owner, fate had different plans. After her brother, George Halas Jr., passed away unexpectedly in 1979, managing the Bears landed on her shoulders. Reflecting on this during an interview, McCaskey once said, “I just assumed [George Jr.] would be the one to take over for my dad. But God had other plans for all of us.” And with that, she stepped into the role.
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Achievements Under Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Ownership
Since taking over, Virginia has seen her beloved Bears reach some impressive milestones. The most notable? The 1985 Super Bowl XX victory was when the Bears took down the New England Patriots. The team, led by legends like Walter Payton and Mike Ditka, immortalized itself as one of the best defensive squads in football history.
Under McCaskey’s leadership, the Bears have won 11 division titles and made 14 playoff appearances. Despite ups and downs over the years, her ownership has been marked by resilience and dedication. In fact, the Bears have seen 30 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees during her tenure—the most of any NFL team.
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Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Strong Family Roots In Football
Virginia’s connection to the Bears goes all the way back to her childhood. Born into a football-obsessed family, she was the only daughter of George Halas and spent her youth attending Bears games. In 1925, a young Virginia even accompanied her father on Red Grange’s barnstorming tour, a significant event in NFL history. By the age of nine, she was already a Bears superfan, cheering them on to a 9-0 victory over the Portsmouth Spartans in 1932.
As a true football lover, Virginia shared this passion with her family. She married Ed McCaskey, a fellow Drexel University graduate and Army World War II veteran, on her father’s 48th birthday, February 2, 1943. Together, they raised 11 children, many of whom have followed in their parents’ footsteps by joining the family business—football.
The Virginia Halas McCaskey Family’s Impact On The Chicago Bears
The Halas-McCaskey family runs deep in the Bears organization, with four of Virginia’s eight sons holding key roles. Her son George McCaskey currently serves as chairman of the Bears, while Brian, Rich, and Patrick all hold positions as vice presidents and administrators.
Unfortunately, the McCaskey family has also faced some heartbreaking losses. In 2003, Virginia lost her husband, Ed, who had been the Bears’ chairman. Then, in 2020, her oldest son Michael McCaskey, who served as the Bears’ president and chairman, passed away after a battle with cancer.
Michael had led the Bears from 1983 to 1999 before Virginia replaced him with his brother, George. The family endured another tragedy in 2011 when her second son Tim McCaskey, also a vice president, died after a long fight with cancer. Yet, despite these personal losses, Virginia’s focus on maintaining the Bears’ legacy has never wavered.
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