Holly Bankemper is often introduced as the wife of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and longtime football broadcaster Cris Collinsworth. But that description tells only part of her story. Long before her marriage became a point of public interest, Holly was building a professional life of her own as a lawyer. She studied at the University of Kentucky, earned her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988, and has maintained a legal career in Ohio. Public attorney records also identify her as an active Ohio lawyer.
Her story also has a strong connection to Fort Thomas, Kentucky, where she grew up and where she has remained involved in local education and community projects. She and Cris have four children, and their family has developed strong connections to football, broadcasting, athletics, and business. Holly has also been involved with the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund and the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, giving her public life another important dimension beyond her husband’s career.
Holly Bankemper Quick Bio
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Holly Bankemper Collinsworth |
| Birth Name | Holly Bankemper |
| Born | December 23, 1963 |
| Birthplace | Fort Thomas, Kentucky |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Attorney |
| College | University of Kentucky |
| College Degree | B.A., 1985 |
| Law School | University of Cincinnati College of Law |
| Law Degree | J.D., 1988 |
| Bar Admission | Ohio, 1988 |
| Legal Field | Litigation |
| Husband | Cris Collinsworth |
| Marriage Date | June 3, 1989 |
| Children | Katie, Austin, Ashley, And Jac |
| High School | Highlands High School |
| Community Work | Fort Thomas Education Foundation |
| Charity Work | Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund |
| Known For | Legal Career, Community Work, And Marriage To Cris Collinsworth |
The basic professional details are particularly well documented. Martindale lists Holly Bankemper Collinsworth as a University of Kentucky graduate with a B.A. in 1985 and a University of Cincinnati J.D. in 1988, while attorney directories record her Ohio admission in 1988 and litigation practice. The University of Cincinnati’s Order of Barristers records also list Holly Ann Bankemper among the 1988 members.
Holly Bankemper’s Early Life And Family Background
Holly Bankemper was born in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and has maintained a close connection with the Northern Kentucky community throughout her life. Public professional profiles give her birth date as December 23, 1963. She attended Highlands High School before continuing her education at the University of Kentucky.
Her connection to Fort Thomas became more than a childhood detail. After becoming part of the Collinsworth family, Holly remained active in the community and became involved in projects connected with local schools. That long-term relationship with her hometown is one of the clearest themes in her biography. In 2019, the Highlands High School Alumni Association named Holly Collinsworth its Alumnus of the Year, recognizing her professional and community contributions.
Holly Bankemper’s Education And College Years
Education is one of the most important parts of the Holly Bankemper story. She attended the University of Kentucky, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1985. She was also a Kentucky Wildcats cheerleader, a detail frequently noted in profiles about her because it connects her early years with the sports world that later became such a large part of her family’s public identity.
After completing college, Holly continued toward a legal career at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She earned her Juris Doctor in 1988 and was admitted to practice law in Ohio that same year. Her legal education later became an interesting connection between Holly and Cris because Cris also attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law after his NFL career and earned his own law degree in 1991.
Holly Bankemper’s Career As An Attorney
Holly Bankemper’s career deserves attention on its own rather than being treated simply as background to her marriage. She has practiced law for decades, and current public attorney profiles identify her as a lawyer admitted in Ohio since 1988. Martindale lists litigation as her practice area, while other attorney records identify her as Holly B. Collinsworth.
Her professional path is notable because it continued alongside the demands of family life and Cris Collinsworth’s increasingly busy career in sports broadcasting. Unlike a celebrity spouse who becomes famous primarily through appearances, Holly established a professional identity through law. The current board listing for the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund also identifies her as an attorney, showing that her legal profession remains part of her public biography.
How Holly Bankemper Met Cris Collinsworth
Holly met Cris Collinsworth in Cincinnati during the 1980s, when he was playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and she was preparing to enter law school. People reports that the two met in the mid-1980s, while other accounts identify The Precinct restaurant, which Cris co-owned, as the place where mutual friends introduced them.
Their timing is interesting because both were entering important stages of their lives. Cris was approaching the later part of his NFL career, while Holly was beginning the professional education that would lead to her law degree. Their relationship developed during that period of change, eventually leading to their engagement and marriage.
Holly Bankemper And Cris Collinsworth’s Engagement Story
The couple’s engagement has one of the more memorable stories associated with their relationship. During the 1988 MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati, Cris approached sportscaster Al Michaels and asked about making an announcement on television that he planned to become engaged to Holly. Michaels later recalled the incident in his autobiography, explaining that the nationally televised All-Star Game was not the right setting for such an announcement.
The proposal ultimately happened away from the cameras. Later accounts report that Cris proposed to Holly on a bridge overlooking the Ohio River. The story has become a memorable detail in their biography because Cris himself later suggested that the private version was probably more appropriate for Holly than a proposal broadcast to a national television audience. The couple married on June 3, 1989.
Holly Bankemper And Cris Collinsworth’s Marriage
Holly and Cris Collinsworth have been married since 1989, making their marriage more than three decades old. Their relationship began while Holly was preparing for law school and Cris was still playing professional football. After their wedding, the family remained closely connected to Northern Kentucky.
The contrast between their professional lives has always been interesting. Cris eventually became a nationally recognized television analyst, while Holly continued to work in law and community affairs. In a 2001 interview with Cincinnati Magazine, Cris praised Holly’s strength and ability to manage family responsibilities while he was frequently away from home.
Holly Bankemper And Cris Collinsworth’s Four Children
Holly and Cris have four children: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac Collinsworth. Their children have followed different professional paths, but several have remained connected to sports and media. People reports that the family includes Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac, with Jac developing a career in sports broadcasting and Austin working with Pro Football Focus, the football analytics company associated with Cris.
Katie has worked in sports and business, while Austin played football at Notre Dame before moving into the business side of football. Ashley attended Harvard and competed in track and field. Jac followed his father’s broadcasting path and has worked with ESPN and NBC Sports. Their different careers make the Collinsworth family story broader than football alone.
Holly Bankemper As A Mother And Grandmother
Holly’s role as a mother has been another major part of her life. Raising four children while maintaining a legal career and supporting a husband whose work involved professional football and national television required the family to manage two very different professional worlds. The public record does not provide a complete picture of their private household, but the careers of their children show that education and professional development were important parts of the family’s story.
It is worth being careful with some online claims about Holly’s grandchildren. Several entertainment websites publish differing numbers and family details, but those claims are not consistently supported by strong primary sources. For a reliable biography, it is better to identify her four children and discuss the next generation only where the information is clearly documented rather than repeating uncertain family statistics.
Holly Bankemper’s Philanthropy And Community Work
Holly’s community involvement is one of the strongest reasons her biography extends beyond the phrase “Cris Collinsworth’s wife.” She serves on the board of the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, where the organization’s current board page lists her as an Attorney at Law. The nonprofit was founded in 2002 and focuses on women’s health through its Pink Ribbon programs and child development through chess programs.
The organization’s work has grown considerably. Its Pink Ribbon programs support breast-health services and breast cancer awareness, while the Queen City Classic Chess program promotes chess education for children. The fund says its Chess in Schools program now provides instruction to thousands of students in Greater Cincinnati. Holly’s involvement therefore connects her professional and community interests with a long-running regional nonprofit effort.
Holly Bankemper’s Work In Fort Thomas
Holly’s hometown involvement is another important part of her public record. She has been connected with the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, including service on its board and advisory structures over the years. A foundation history describes Holly’s involvement in an early project that helped secure a $25,000 grant for books for a Highlands Middle School library. The foundation’s 2025–26 annual report also lists Holly Bankemper Collinsworth on its advisory council.
Her community work has received formal recognition. In 2008, the Congressional Record noted that Holly Collinsworth had been selected as one of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Women of the Year for her dedication and service to the community. The record also highlighted her involvement in fundraising efforts connected with improvements to Highlands High School.
Holly Bankemper’s Awards And Recognition
The recognition Holly has received helps explain why her biography cannot be reduced to her connection with Cris. Her 2019 selection as Highlands High School Alumnus of the Year was announced by the school’s alumni association and reflected her continuing relationship with her hometown.
Earlier recognition also came from the Cincinnati Enquirer Women of the Year program. The U.S. Congressional Record specifically congratulated Holly Collinsworth for the honor in 2008, citing her dedication and service to the community. Together, these recognitions show a consistent pattern: Holly’s public contributions have largely centered on professional work, education, and community service rather than celebrity.
Why Holly Bankemper Keeps A Low Public Profile
Although Holly Bankemper is married to a highly recognizable sports broadcaster, she has generally maintained a much quieter public presence. Her professional record is easier to document than her private life, and that distinction is important when researching her biography. There is substantial information about her education, law career, community involvement, and family connection, but far less reliable information about her personal routines or private activities.
That privacy also makes her story different from many celebrity-family profiles. Holly has not built her public identity around television appearances or entertainment. Instead, her name appears most often in connection with legal records, charitable organizations, local education initiatives, and her family. That pattern gives a clearer picture of her priorities without requiring speculation about her personal choices.
Holly Bankemper And Cris Collinsworth’s Life Today
As of 2026, Holly remains publicly identified as an attorney and continues to appear in the leadership structure of the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund. The fund’s current board lists her alongside Cris and other Cincinnati-area community and professional leaders.
Her connection to Fort Thomas also remains strong. The Fort Thomas Education Foundation’s current annual report lists her as part of its advisory council and records Holly and Cris Collinsworth among supporters of the foundation. These current records are useful because they show that her community involvement is not simply a historical footnote.
Interesting Facts About Holly Bankemper
One of the most interesting facts about Holly is that her career began in law rather than entertainment or sports. She earned her University of Kentucky degree in 1985, became a Wildcats cheerleader, and then completed her J.D. at Cincinnati in 1988. She also shares a unique educational connection with Cris, who attended the same law school and graduated three years later.
Another memorable detail is the 1988 All-Star Game proposal story. Cris asked Al Michaels about announcing his engagement to Holly during the broadcast, but the plan did not happen. The incident was later documented by Michaels, making it one of the better-sourced personal stories connected with the couple’s early relationship.
Perhaps most importantly, Holly’s public record demonstrates how broad her life has been. She has worked as an attorney, raised a family, participated in education initiatives, supported women’s health programs, and remained involved in her hometown. Her 2019 Highlands recognition and current community roles reinforce that broader picture.
Holly Bankemper’s Life Beyond Being Cris Collinsworth’s Wife
Searching for Holly Bankemper often begins with Cris Collinsworth, but her biography becomes more interesting when viewed independently. She is a lawyer with a decades-long professional record, an alumna of the University of Kentucky and University of Cincinnati College of Law, and a community participant with long-standing ties to Fort Thomas. Public legal records continue to identify her as an Ohio attorney.
Her charitable involvement adds another layer. Through the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund and Fort Thomas education initiatives, Holly has participated in projects involving women’s health, breast cancer support, youth chess, schools, and local educational development. These activities give her public biography a community-focused dimension that exists independently of her husband’s broadcasting fame.
Final Thoughts On Holly Bankemper’s Life And Career
Holly Bankemper’s story is ultimately about much more than being Cris Collinsworth’s wife. She built a legal career after graduating from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988, maintained a professional identity in Ohio, and became involved in community organizations connected to education and women’s health.
Her marriage to Cris has naturally brought additional public attention, especially because their four children have also pursued careers connected to sports, media, athletics, and business. Yet Holly’s own accomplishments remain distinct. Her connection to Fort Thomas, her work with the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, and her recognition from Highlands High School all help explain why she has become a subject of interest in her own right.
For anyone searching for a Holly Bankemper Biography in 2026, the most useful perspective is therefore a balanced one. She is a Kentucky-born attorney, a mother, a longtime community participant, and the wife of a famous football broadcaster. Her public life has largely been defined not by seeking attention, but by professional work, family, education, and service.
FAQs About Holly Bankemper
Who Is Holly Bankemper?
Holly Bankemper Collinsworth is an American attorney best known publicly as the wife of former Cincinnati Bengals player and longtime football broadcaster Cris Collinsworth. She earned a B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1985 and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988. She has also been involved in community and charitable work in the Cincinnati and Fort Thomas area.
How Old Is Holly Bankemper?
Public attorney profiles list Holly Bankemper’s birth date as December 23, 1963, and her birthplace as Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Based on that date, she is 62 years old in 2026. Because the birth date comes from public biographical and professional directories rather than a published birth record, it is best treated as reported biographical information.
What Does Holly Bankemper Do For A Living?
Holly Bankemper is an attorney. She earned her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1988 and was admitted to the Ohio bar that year. Current public attorney listings identify her as an Ohio lawyer and list litigation among her practice areas.
When Did Holly Bankemper And Cris Collinsworth Get Married?
Holly Bankemper and Cris Collinsworth married on June 3, 1989. Their relationship began in Cincinnati during the 1980s, when Cris was playing for the Bengals and Holly was preparing for law school. The couple has four children together.
How Did Holly Bankemper Meet Cris Collinsworth?
They reportedly met in Cincinnati through mutual friends during the 1980s. Accounts published by People and Yahoo describe Holly as being introduced to Cris around the time she was preparing to enter law school, while other accounts identify The Precinct restaurant, which Cris co-owned, as the location of their introduction.
How Many Children Do Holly Bankemper And Cris Collinsworth Have?
Holly and Cris have four children: Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac Collinsworth. Their children have developed careers in areas including sports, broadcasting, athletics, and business. Jac has worked with ESPN and NBC Sports, while Austin has worked with Pro Football Focus.
What Charitable Work Is Holly Bankemper Known For?
Holly is involved with the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, a Cincinnati nonprofit founded in 2002. The organization focuses on women’s health through its Pink Ribbon programs and child development through chess initiatives. Holly is listed on the organization’s current board as an Attorney at Law.
What Is Holly Bankemper Known For Besides Being Cris Collinsworth’s Wife?
Beyond her marriage, Holly is known for her legal career, education, and community involvement. She has been recognized by Highlands High School as its 2019 Alumnus of the Year and has been involved with the Fort Thomas Education Foundation. Her work with the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund has also connected her to women’s health and youth education initiatives.
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