Cal Ripken Jr. Wife: Meet Laura Ripken, the Maryland Judge He Married After His First Divorce

Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. continues to attract interest in his personal life as the Baltimore Orioles icon approaches another milestone in his post-playing career. The Hall of Famer, celebrated for his record of 2,632 consecutive Major League Baseball games, remains married to Laura Ripken, a respected Maryland judge whom he wed in October 2018. Their marriage followed his highly publicized divorce from Kelly Ripken, his wife of nearly three decades. While Ripken remains active in baseball development and charitable initiatives, his relationship with Laura has largely remained outside the celebrity spotlight.

The former Orioles shortstop has experienced significant changes in his family life since retiring from professional baseball. His second marriage brought together two established professionals, each with children from previous relationships and successful careers in different fields.

Who Is Cal Ripken Jr.’s Wife?

Cal Ripken Jr.’s current wife is Laura Ripken, formerly known as Laura Kiessling.

She is an American judge serving on the Appellate Court of Maryland, one of the state’s highest judicial institutions.

Before joining the appellate court, Laura developed an extensive legal career that included working as a prosecutor and serving as a judge in Anne Arundel County.

Her professional achievements were established independently of her relationship with the baseball star.

Unlike many spouses of prominent athletes, Laura has maintained a relatively private public profile.

Her work in the legal system requires professionalism and discretion, which has influenced how the couple approaches public attention.

Although Cal remains one of Maryland’s most recognizable sports figures, the couple rarely discusses their marriage in detail.

When Did Cal Ripken Jr. Marry Laura Ripken?

Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Kiessling married in October 2018.

Their wedding took place in a private ceremony attended by a limited number of people.

The marriage attracted considerable attention because Ripken had previously spent almost 30 years married to Kelly Ripken.

Cal and Laura reportedly began dating after the baseball legend moved to Annapolis, Maryland.

Their relationship developed over more than a year before they decided to marry.

Unlike Ripken’s first marriage, which unfolded during his highly visible baseball career, his relationship with Laura began after he had retired from professional competition.

The couple has generally preferred maintaining privacy rather than making frequent public appearances together.

Their marriage has continued while both remain involved in their respective professional and community activities.

Laura Ripken’s Career as a Maryland Judge

Laura Ripken has built a distinguished career in Maryland’s legal system.

She previously worked as a prosecutor in Anne Arundel County, gaining experience handling criminal cases and other legal matters.

She subsequently became a Circuit Court judge, where she presided over significant proceedings.

Her judicial responsibilities included involvement in matters connected to the 2018 Capital Gazette newsroom shooting in Annapolis.

The case attracted national attention and placed considerable public scrutiny on the local judicial system.

Laura’s professional experience eventually led to her appointment to the Appellate Court of Maryland.

In that role, she participates in reviewing legal decisions and addressing appeals involving state law.

Her career reflects years of public service and legal expertise.

Laura Ripken is recognized for her judicial work independently of her marriage to Cal Ripken Jr., making the couple prominent figures in two very different professional fields.

Who Was Cal Ripken Jr.’s First Wife?

Before marrying Laura, Cal Ripken Jr. was married to Kelly Ripken, whose maiden name is Geer.

The couple married in November 1987, during the early years of Cal’s successful baseball career.

Kelly became a familiar presence throughout his time with the Baltimore Orioles.

She regularly attended games and supported her husband during some of the most memorable moments in Major League Baseball history.

Their marriage included Cal’s record-breaking consecutive-games streak and his eventual retirement in 2001.

For many years, the couple was considered one of the more recognizable families associated with Baltimore sports.

However, their relationship eventually ended after nearly three decades together.

Why Did Cal Ripken Jr. and Kelly Divorce?

Cal and Kelly Ripken finalized their divorce in April 2016.

Their marriage had lasted approximately 29 years.

Reports indicated that the couple had separated before the divorce was completed.

The legal proceedings were handled privately, and neither publicly provided extensive details about the reasons for their separation.

Their divorce attracted attention because of Cal’s reputation as a respected baseball figure and his longstanding public marriage.

Despite the interest surrounding their separation, both generally avoided discussing personal disagreements in the media.

Following the divorce, Cal eventually began a relationship with Laura Kiessling.

Kelly continued pursuing her own professional and charitable interests.

Cal Ripken Jr. and Kelly Ripken’s Children

Cal Ripken Jr. and his first wife, Kelly, have two children together.

Their daughter, Rachel Ripken, was born in 1989.

Their son, Ryan Ripken, was born in 1993.

Both children grew up during their father’s celebrated baseball career.

Ryan followed the family’s sporting tradition by pursuing professional baseball.

He played in the minor leagues and spent time within the Baltimore Orioles organization.

His involvement in the sport reflected the influence of a family deeply connected to baseball.

Rachel has maintained a more private public profile while pursuing her own interests and professional activities.

Although Cal and Kelly’s marriage ended, their children remain an important part of their family history.

Laura Ripken’s Children and Blended Family

Laura Ripken also has two children from her previous marriage to Trevor Kiessling.

When she married Cal in 2018, the couple brought together children from their earlier relationships.

Cal’s two adult children, Rachel and Ryan, became part of the wider blended family.

Laura’s children have generally remained outside public attention.

The couple has not publicly announced having children together.

Their family circumstances reflect a second marriage formed after both partners had already established careers and raised children.

Despite Cal’s celebrity status, the family has largely avoided sharing detailed information about its private activities.

This approach has allowed the couple to maintain a degree of separation between professional responsibilities and family life.

What Is Kelly Ripken Doing Now?

Following her divorce from Cal Ripken Jr., Kelly continued her involvement in charitable and community initiatives.

She has been associated with women’s health awareness and fundraising activities.

One of her notable connections has been with A Woman’s Journey, a health education initiative associated with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Her work has focused on encouraging women to become better informed about medical issues and preventive healthcare.

Kelly’s philanthropic interests developed during her marriage and continued after the couple separated.

Although she remains publicly associated with Cal because of their long marriage, she has maintained her own identity through community service.

She has generally kept details of her personal relationships private.

Cal Ripken Jr.’s Life Beyond Baseball

Cal Ripken Jr. remains one of the most celebrated players in baseball history.

Born on August 24, 1960, he spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles.

His greatest achievement came when he surpassed Lou Gehrig’s consecutive-games record in September 1995.

Ripken ultimately played 2,632 consecutive games, earning the nickname “The Iron Man.”

He retired following the 2001 season and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Since retirement, he has remained involved in youth baseball development through Ripken Baseball and related initiatives.

His work has helped create opportunities for young athletes to participate in organized baseball.

These activities continue to connect him with the sport that defined his professional career.

Are Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Ripken Still Married?

As of October 2026, Cal Ripken Jr. and Laura Ripken remain publicly recognized as a married couple.

There has been no confirmed announcement that they have separated or divorced.

Their relationship has attracted relatively little controversy compared with the attention surrounding Cal’s first marriage.

Laura continues her judicial career, while Cal remains connected to baseball development and community initiatives.

The couple’s preference for privacy has meant that relatively few details about their everyday married life are publicly available.

Cal Ripken Jr.’s wife, Laura Ripken, has established a respected career in Maryland’s judiciary, while their marriage represents a quieter chapter in the baseball legend’s personal life.

Nearly eight years after their wedding, the couple continues to balance professional commitments with a family life largely maintained away from public attention.