Who Is Jack Nicklaus' Wife? All About Barbara Nicklaus

Barbara Nicklaus knew nothing about golf when she first met her husband, Jack Nicklaus.

“Golf wasn’t a very popular sport back then, especially in high school,” she said 19th hole podcast in 2018. “So I didn’t really know anything about it when I met him and we were dating.”

The couple – who both grew up in Columbus, Ohio – didn’t seem to have much in common and the relationship eventually fizzled out a few months later. But by her birthday in February, Barbara started getting cards in the mail.

“I got a birthday card from his sister, one from his mum and dad and one from Jack. So, he called me that day and we’ve been together ever since,” she said. “We were married between the first and last year. [of college].”

Barbara was with the golf legend for nearly 70 years, during which he won a record 18 major championships and became the first player to complete a career double and triple grand slam. Barbara has also made a name for herself as an award-winning philanthropist, especially in Florida, where the couple now resides.

Jack has built an incredible legacy as a golfer and course designer, but the Golden Bear considers his wife his greatest treasure.

“All these years later, with all the good things that have happened to me, I still believe that Barbara is the most precious gift of my life,” he wrote in his 2007 book. Jack Nicklaus: Memories and memorabilia from Golf’s Golden Bear. “She was my foundation, my voice of reason, my sounding board, my biggest supporter, my best friend and the love of my life.”

So who is Jack Nicklaus’ wife? Here’s everything you need to know about Barbara Nicklaus and her relationship with the golf legend.

She met Jack at university

The 1966 Open Championship at Muirfield Golf Links in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland, held July 6-9, 1966. Pictured is Jack Nicklaus with his wife Barbara after winning.

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When Barbara met Jack during their freshman year at Ohio State University in 1957, he was actually dating her friend Mary. According to Jack, he and Mary were not exclusive so he called Barbara and asked her out.

“She couldn’t hire me for about two weeks,” Jack recalled in 2018 The Wall Street Journal interview. “In the meantime, she set me up with a few girls that she knew I wouldn’t like.”

The then 17-year-olds ended up dating for a while and broke up before getting back together with the encouragement of his family.

“My parents really liked Barbara,” Jack said NBC Sports 2017. “That’s how it was, maybe we should meet again.”

Barbara and Jack had a golf-filled honeymoon

Photo of the wedding of Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara.

Jack Nicklaus/Instagram

Barbara and Jack became engaged around Christmas 1959 and married on July 23, 1960 in Columbus, Ohio. Their wedding day happened to fall on the same weekend as the PGA Championship in Akron that year, but Jack didn’t mind because he wasn’t qualified to play as an amateur.

The newlywed star still managed to get a few rounds in: He played 36 holes on their wedding day with his best man. Jack made two more stops during their honeymoon in New York for more golf, where his new wife proved to be a trooper.

“Barbara and I went to Winged Foot and it was raining. It’s absolutely raining,” shared Jack s NBC Sports. “And I’m telling you, there was no one on the golf course, except for Barbara, who went with me and my caddy.”

However, the couple engaged in other non-sporting activities. They had dinner in Sardi and enjoyed the shows La Plume de Ma Tante and Camelot. The couple even went shoe shopping for Barbara.

She and Jack have five children

Michael, Gary, Jack, Barbara, Steve Nicklaus PGA TOUR Productions.

John H. Wettermann/PGA TOUR Archive via Getty

Barbara and Jack had their first child, Jack Jr., in 1961. Another son, Steve, followed in 1963. Their daughter, Nancy, was born in 1965, and their son, Gary, was born almost four years later. Michael, the child of the family, was born in 1973.

As of 2024, Jack and Barbara also have 24 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

During his career, the couple made a pact that Jack would not be away from the family for more than two weeks. This commitment did not go unnoticed by their children. While promoting his 2021 book. The best place in the house: 18 golden lessons from father to sonJack Jr. he spoke about his parents’ commitment to family.

He told PGATour.com: “It’s amazing to me that with all the responsibilities my mom and dad still have at the age of 81, but even during their careers, with dad traveling all over the world, they’ve always been there for us . We always felt like we were their number one priority.”

Barbara also offered insight into the extent of Jack’s determination to keep his promise to his family: “He flew in between rounds of the Mexican Open for a high school football championship. I think our kids at the time thought, ‘Well, that’s what fathers do.’ ”

She added: “Of course, now that they’re married and have their own families, sometimes they’ll say to me, ‘Wow, I had no idea what dad gave up to watch us.’ … That makes them even more proud of their dad.”

Barbara is a member of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame

Jack Nicklaus and wife Barbara.

Jack Nicklaus/Instagram

Jack is not the only one collecting impressive accolades in the Nicklaus family. In recognition of her many years of service, Barbara was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. She and Jack have reportedly raised more than $150 million since establishing the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation in 2004 to improve access to health care for children in South Florida and beyond .

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be selected to be inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame,” Barbara said during the ceremony. “It is truly special to be included in such an esteemed group of women. We feel blessed to live in the great state of Florida – and blessed to be able to ‘give back’ to children and families in need.”

Jack was also quick to praise his wife.

“I couldn’t be more proud to say that my wife Barbara was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame today,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I am in awe of all the great work she has done throughout her life – and continues to do – for so many people, especially children.”

Her and Jack’s non-profit organization was inspired by the loss of their grandson

In 2005, the family suffered a huge tragedy with the death of their grandson, Jake Nicklaus. A 17-month-old child, Steve’s son, died in a hot tub accident. The family matriarch spoke about the loss in the episode 19th hole podcast.

“Of course, losing Jake was incredible,” Barbara said. “It’s a double whammy because you feel so bad for your children and then you’ve lost this precious baby.”

Although the Nicklauses originally began their philanthropic efforts for children after their daughter had a medical emergency at age 11 months, Barbara said Jake’s death added additional motivation.

“That terrible statement, ‘Some good comes out of all bad,’ is true; Jake was such a precious child, so we feel like we’re keeping his memory alive with the great charity work we’re doing in Jake’s name,” she said.

Barbara is Jack’s biggest supporter

The 1970 Open Championship at the Old Course at St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland, held July 8 – 12, 1970. Pictured is Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara.

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Barbara was her husband’s constant companion on the golf course, but she never knew how attuned Jack was to her presence. After an appearance at the US Open at Oak Hill, New York, where she missed watching the eighth hole, Jack inquired about her absence. Barbara was stunned and continued to recount their exchange 19th hole podcast.

“How on earth do you know [I wasn’t there]?” she asked her husband, to which he replied: “I know how you walk and I know where you are, but I couldn’t find you.”

“That’s probably the nicest compliment he gave me,” explained Barbara. “Because I didn’t even think he knew I was on the golf course, even after say 30 or 40 years of tracking.”

In her book, the sports icon dedicated a chapter to Barbara, and reflected on her importance.

“If your life partner is also your best friend, it is truly priceless. I shudder to think where I would be today, what I could have missed, how much less fulfilling my life would be if Barbara hadn’t been with me every step of the way,” wrote Jack.

He added: “Because of her patience, love and support, combined with her intelligence and strength of character, Barbara has contributed more to my golf career than the world will ever know… We have some wonderful pictures of the two of us holding trophies and I think they are the most appropriate that we have, because we really achieved victories as a team.”

Jack dedicated his 2025 Memorial Tournament to Barbara

Tournament host Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara during the third round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2023 in Dublin, Ohio.

Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

During the final round of the eponymous Memorial Tournament in June 2024, Jack announced the winner of next year’s landmark 50th anniversary: ​​his wife. While sharing the news on CBS, the golf icon choked up.

“I can’t take it out,” he said before putting his hand over his heart and continuing. “That’s Barbara Nicklaus.”

Jack explained why he chose his wife for the dedication. “She was honored by so many people,” he said. “By the USGA. From the PGA of America. Ambassador of golf. So many things, but not here at Muirfield. And she was behind the scenes for everything that was going on. It was a very emotional choice for me.”

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Source: HIS Education