Who is Ryne Sandberg's wife? How she anchored his legacy, raised their family and lived beyond baseball

Time of India

29-07-2025

Margaret Sandberg stood quietly beside Ryan, through every innings of life and beyond (Image via You Tube)
As the world mourns the death of baseball legend Ryne Sandberg at 65, there's one figure who remained his anchor through every inning of life—his wife, Margaret. While Sandberg's legacy lives on in Cooperstown and Chicago Cubs history, it's the quieter legacy of love, loyalty, and resilience built with Margaret that truly defined his personal journey.
From baseball diamonds to battling brain cancer, Margaret was by his side, not just as a spouse but as his strongest support system.
Who is
Margaret Sandberg
? The woman beyond the ballpark
Margaret Sandberg, Ryne's second wife, married him in 1995—just two years after he briefly retired from Major League Baseball. Unlike the headlines her husband often made, Margaret largely stayed away from the limelight, choosing instead to lead a grounded family life. She was present in the stands during his big moments, but even more present during the quiet, challenging ones.
Margaret became a pillar of strength, especially in Ryne's final year, helping him through his difficult brain cancer battle.
The couple built their life away from the noise, raising a blended family that included children from Ryne's first marriage. 'I am lucky to be married to Margaret,' Ryne had once said in an earlier interview, acknowledging her unwavering presence in his life. They were often seen attending charity events and Cubs alumni functions together, radiating warmth and humility.
Through illness and adversity, she remained his constant
Ryne Sandberg's health struggles became public in 2023, when he revealed he was undergoing treatment for metastatic prostate cancer, which later spread to his brain. In those critical moments, Margaret became his primary caregiver, ensuring he stayed connected to his fans and baseball family even as he underwent aggressive treatment.
Just months before his death, Ryne posted an emotional update: 'I have been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.
I am surrounded by my loving wife Margaret and family.' This one line showed not just his condition but the central role Margaret played in his life. She managed his public updates and shielded him from unnecessary media glare, all while offering emotional strength to their children and extended family.
Legacy beyond the field: A love that defined his final chapter
While Sandberg's on-field stats—10 All-Star selections and a place in the Hall of Fame—cemented his baseball greatness, his off-field love story with Margaret gave him grounding.
Together, they spent nearly three decades building a life centered on family, faith, and community. Margaret was there during his managerial stints with the Phillies and later during his quieter retirement years, when he devoted time to golf, grandchildren, and charity.
In his final months, Ryne's social media was filled with memories and family photos, almost always featuring Margaret. Her silence through the media storm wasn't absence—it was dignity.
It was loyalty. It was love. And now, as tributes pour in for Ryne, Margaret remains the unsung hero of a life well-lived.
Also read:
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies at 65 after courageous cancer battle
FAQs
1. Who was Ryne Sandberg married to?
Ryne Sandberg was married to Margaret Sandberg since 1995.
2. Did Ryne Sandberg have children with Margaret?
They had a blended family with children from Ryne's first marriage, including Justin and Lindsey.
3. What type of cancer did Ryne Sandberg have?
He was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer that later affected his brain.
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