Who Is Jack Nicklaus' Wife? All About Barbara Nicklaus (2024)

Barbara Nicklaus didn’t know anything about golf when she first met her husband, Jack Nicklaus.

“Golf wasn't a real popular sport back then, particularly in high school,” she told The 19th Hole podcast in 2018. “So, I didn't really know anything about it when I met him, and we dated.”

The pair — who both grew up in Columbus, Ohio — didn’t appear to have much in common so the relationship eventually fizzled out a few months later. But by her birthday in February, Barbara began to receive cards in the mail.

“I got a birthday card from his sister, and one from his mom and dad, and one from Jack. So, he called me that day and then we'd been together ever since," she recounted. "We were married between our junior and senior year [of college].”

Barbara has been by the golf legend’s side for almost 70 years, during which he won a record 18 major championships and became the first player to complete double and triple career grand slams. Barbara has also made a name for herself as an award-winning philanthropist, especially in Florida, where the couple now reside.

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

“All these years later, with all the good things that have happened to me, I still believe that Barbara has been the most precious gift in my life,” he wrote in his 2007 book, Jack Nicklaus: Memories and Mementos from Golf’s Golden Bear. “She has been 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 to know about Barbara Nicklaus and her relationship with the golf legend.

She met Jack at university

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 weren’t exclusive, so he called up Barbara and asked her out on a date.

“She couldn’t work me in for about two weeks,” Jack recalled in a 2018 Wall Street Journal interview. “Meanwhile, she fixed me up with a couple of girls who she knew I wouldn’t like.”

The then 17-year-olds eventually dated for a while and broke up before reuniting with a nudge from his family.

“My parents really liked Barbara,” Jack told NBC Sports in 2017. “So it was, maybe we ought to get back together.”

Barbara and Jack had a golf-filled honeymoon

Barbara and Jack got engaged around Christmas 1959 and were 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 was not bothered because he was not qualified to play as an amateur.

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

“Barbara and I went to Winged Foot and it was pouring down rain. Absolutely pouring down rain,” Jack shared with NBC Sports. “And I’m telling you, there wasn’t another soul on the golf course, except Barbara, who walked with me and my caddie.”

The couple did engage in other non-sporting activities. They dined at Sardi's and enjoyed showings of La Plume de Ma Tante and Camelot. The pair even went shoe shopping for Barbara.

She and Jack have five children

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

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

Throughout his career, the couple made a pact that Jack wouldn’t stay away from the family for more than two weeks. This dedication did not go unnoticed by their kids. While promoting his 2021 book, Best Seat In The House: 18 Golden Lessons From A Father To His Son, Jack Jr. spoke about his parents’ devotion to family.

He told PGATour.com, “It's amazing to me that with all the commitments that my mom and dad still have at the age of 81, but even throughout their career, when Dad was traveling all over the world, they were always there for us. We always felt like we were their number one priority.”

Barbara also offered some 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 children at the time thought, ‘Well, that’s just what dads do.’ "

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

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

Jack is not the only one racking up 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 over $150 million since they established the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation in 2004 to improve children's access to healthcare in South Florida and beyond.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to be chosen to be inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame,” Barbara shared during the ceremony. “It is truly special to be included with 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 could not be prouder to say that today my wife Barbara is being inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “I'm amazed by all the great work she's done over her lifetime - and continues to do - for so many people, especially children.”

Her and Jack's nonprofit was inspired by the loss of a grandchild

The family suffered immense tragedy in 2005 with the death of their grandson, Jake Nicklaus. The 17-month-old, who was the son of Steve, died in a hot tub accident. The family matriarch opened up about the loss in an episode of The 19th Hole podcast.

“Of course, the loss of Jake was unbelievable,” Barbara said. “It's a double whammy because you feel so bad for your children and then you've lost this precious baby.”

While the Nicklaus’ originally started their philanthropic efforts for children after their own daughter had a medical emergency at 11 months old, Barbara said that Jake’s death added extra motivation.

“That horrible statement, 'Some good comes out of all bad,' is true; Jake was such a precious child, and so we feel like we're keeping his memory alive with a lot of the charity work that we're doing in Jake's name," she said.

Barbara is Jack’s biggest supporter

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

“How in the world do you know [I wasn’t there]?” she asked her husband, to which he responded, “I know how you walk and I know where you are and I couldn't find you.”

"That was probably the nicest compliment he ever gave me," Barbara explained. "'Cause I didn't even think he knew I was on the golf course, even after say 30 or 40 years of following him.”

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

“If your partner in life is also your best friend, it’s truly invaluable. I shudder to think about where I would be today, what I might have missed, how less fulfilling my life would have been were Barbara not with me every step of the way," Jack wrote.

He added, "Because of her patience, love and support, combined with her intelligence and strength of character, Barbara has been a bigger contributor to my golf career than the world will ever know ... We have some wonderful pictures of the two of us holding up trophies, and I think those are the most appropriate we have, because we’ve really achieved victories as a team."

Jack dedicated his 2025 Memorial Tournament to Barbara

During the final round of his namesake Memorial Tournament in June 2024, Jack announced the honoree of next year's landmark 50th anniversary event: his wife. When sharing the news on CBS, the golf icon got choked up.

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

Jack explained the reasoning behind picking his wife for the dedication. “She’s been honored by so many people,” he said. “By the USGA. By the PGA of America. Ambassador to golf. So many things, but not here at Muirfield. And she’s been behind the scenes for everything that happens. It was a very emotional choice for me.”