The 69-year-old legendary American sports broadcaster Chris Berman was married to his wife Katherine Alexinski Berman from 1983 until her tragic passing in 2017.
Christopher James Berman, nicknamed “Boomer,” was born May 10, 1955, and is a prominent American sportscaster.
He has been a key figure at ESPN since 1979, shortly after the network’s launch.
Over his career, he has hosted flagship programs like SportsCenter, Sunday NFL Countdown (1985–2016), and NFL Primetime (1987–2005, and again since 2019).
Furthermore, he also contributed to Monday Night Countdown, U.S. Open golf coverage, the Stanley Cup Finals, and Major League Baseball broadcasts, including the Home Run Derby until 2016.
Berman is celebrated for his engaging style, distinctive catchphrases, and quirky personality, which helped cement ESPN’s early success.
Moreover, he has won the National Sports Media Association’s National Sportscaster of the Year award six times.
He stepped back from several NFL-related roles in 2017.
However, he remained with ESPN and renewed his contract in 2021 to continue hosting NFL Primetime.
Chris Berman Tragically Lost His Wife in 2017
Katherine Ann “Kathy” Berman was the late wife of ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman.
She played a central role in Chris’s life for over three decades.
The couple met in 1983 under unexpected circumstances when Chris feigned car trouble to ask her for help.
They married in 1984 and shared 33 years together.
Moreover, the duo raised two children, Meredith and Doug, and built a life in Cheshire, Connecticut.
Talking about her profession, Kathy was a teacher.
Despite Chris’s high-profile career, Kathy maintained a low key, focusing on her family and community.
She was a strong supporter of Chris’s career.
She often served as an anchor in his personal life during his years as a prominent sports broadcaster.
Kathy’s life was tragically cut short on May 9, 2017. She passed away in a two-car accident in Woodbury, Connecticut.
The crash occurred on a two-lane road near Quassy Amusement Park.
Kathy’s 2003 Lexus SC 430 collided with the rear of an SUV driven by Edward Bertulis, an 87-year-old local resident.
After the impact, both vehicles veered off the road. Kathy’s car went down an embankment and overturned in a small body of water.
Ultimately, she was pronounced dead at the scene. On the other hand, Bertulis’s SUV struck a utility pole and overturned on the road. He later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Moreover, this incident occurred just one day before Chris’s 62nd birthday, compounding the family’s heartbreak.
Per Police Report, Chris Berman’s Wife, Kathy Berman Was Heavily Intoxicated During Her Crash
According to a state police report, Katherine Berman had a blood alcohol concentration three times over the legal limit when she caused the fatal accident.
At the time of the accident in Woodbury, Connecticut, Bertulis was reportedly returning from visiting his late wife’s grave.
The investigation revealed that Kathy was speeding and failed to apply her brakes before rear-ending the car of 87-year-old Edward Bertulis.
The police investigation concluded without any charges being filed, as both drivers passed away in the crash.
The findings showcased the tragic and preventable nature of the incident.
Chris has spoken openly about the profound loss and the challenge of breaking the devastating news to his children.
He has also expressed gratitude for the years they shared and the blessings they experienced as a family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Chris Berman was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, and grew up in Irvington, New York.
- In 2017, he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
