Heather Van Norman, who is widely known as Odell Beckham Jr.’s mother, boasts an impressive track record as a former track athlete and head coach.
During her college days at Louisiana State University, she clinched both indoor and outdoor titles.
Additionally, Heather has held head coaching positions in track and field at various universities.
Notably, she was previously in a relationship with Odell Beckham Sr. before marrying Derek Mills.
Given the abundance of articles on the renowned American wide receiver, we aim to focus on the background of Odell Beckham Jr.’s mother.
Through this article, we aim to cover Heather Van Norman’s parents, past relationships, and her close bond with her son, Odell Beckham Jr.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Heather Van Norman |
| Birth Date | April 22, 1970 |
| Age | 56 Years Old |
| Nationality | American |
| Father’s Name | Don Van Norman |
| Mother’s Name | Millie Van Norman |
| Profession | Coach |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband’s Name | Derek Mills |
| Children | Two |
| Net Worth | $100k-$200k |
| Social Media | |
| Last Update | September 2026 |
Who is Heather Van Norman?
Heather Van Norman is mostly known as the mother of Odell Beckham Jr., a prominent American football wide receiver.
Additionally, she has a background in track and field, as she excelled as a college athlete while studying at Louisiana State University. Nowadays, she works as a coach in the same sports field.
A sprinter for LSU from 1989-95, she was a six-time All-American for the Tigers, winning three-straight NCAA outdoor titles from 1991-93, two indoor national championships in 1991 and 1993, and won both indoor and outdoor SEC titles in 1993 and 1995.
She started her coaching career at Rice University before serving as an assistant coach at Georgia Tech for four years.
In 2002, she was appointed the head coach of Tulane University, where she coached several promising athletes.
During her seven-year tenure at Tulane, Heather trained student-athletes who made 16 NCAA Championship meet appearances and 44 NCAA Mideast Regional appearances.
She has also worked at Nicholls State University as the head coach for Colonels track and field and cross country.
Heather Van Norman’s Parents
Heather Van Norman was born on April 22, 1970. She is the adopted daughter of Millie and Don Van Norman.
She grew up with four siblings: one sister, Pat Woods, and three brothers, Alan, Mark, and Larry.
Heather’s father, Don Van Norman, was born on June 23, 1929, to Glenn and Julia Van Norman. He was the oldest of five siblings and graduated from Windom High School in 1948.
After spending some time in Minneapolis, Don joined the Minnesota Army National Guard and was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama. It was there that he met his wife, Millie, and they got married in 1951.
Don worked at the Windom Post Office for many years while raising their five children with Millie.
He retired from the Post Office after their youngest child graduated high school. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 87 on March 25, 2017.
Her mother, Millie, studied at Minnesota West Community and Technical College and worked at Major’s RV Service Center.
A Look Into Heather Van Norman’s Love Life
In 1992, Heather met Odell Beckham Sr. when he was playing as a running back for LSU.
The couple fell in love and had their first child, Odell Beckham Jr, on November 5, 1992. However, the couple eventually decided to go their separate ways.
Presently, Odell Beckham Sr (born on October 18, 1970) holds the position of CEO at Odell Beckham Brands, a company specializing in grooming products for men.
Heather is now married to Derek Mills (born on July 9, 1972), a former Olympic gold medalist during the 1996 games, and they have a daughter named Jasmyne Mills together.
After attending DeMatha Catholic High School, Derek Mills received his juris doctor from Tulane University Law School.
He then completed his MBA from Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business.
Her daughter, Jasmyne, is studying interior design at Arizona State University.
Inspiration Of Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr regards his mother, Heather Van Norman, as a major source of inspiration in his life.
He has often spoken publicly about how her unwavering support and guidance have been critical in his success as an American football star.
In 2019, Odell Beckham Jr surprised his mother by gifting her a 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Heather has also appeared in the 2015 sports documentary Catching Odell, which provided insights into her son’s early childhood and life outside of the football field.
Net Worth & Earnings
Heather Van Norman’s estimated net worth as of 2026 is expected to increase between $100,000 and $200,000, primarily from her coaching career.
In addition to her athletic achievements, she has also taken on the role of ambassador for the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) for the NFLPA/NFL.
Meanwhile, her son, Odell Beckham Jr, is estimated to have a net worth of around $40 million.
The majority of his income is from his agreements with various NFL teams, signing bonuses, and endorsements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Heather Van Norman from?
Heather Van Norman hails from Windom, Minnesota, in the United States.
Is Heather Van Norman adopted?
Don and Millie Van Norman adopted Heather Van Norman.
