The celebrated football icon Don Shula was married twice, first to Dorothy Bartish and later to Mary Anne Stephens.
Born on January 4, 1930, in Grand River, Ohio, Shula started his football career at John Carroll University, eventually getting drafted by the Browns in the NFL in 1951.
After a playing career spanning seven seasons as a defensive back with the Browns, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins, Shula transitioned to coaching.
He began his coaching career as a defensive backs coach at the University of Virginia in 1958, quickly moving up to positions at the University of Kentucky and later with the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
In 1963, he became the head coach of the Baltimore Colts, where he led the team to a 71–23-4 record over seven seasons, earning a spot in Super Bowl III, which they lost in a historic upset to the New York Jets.
In 1970, he took over as head coach of the Dolphins, guiding them to the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972, culminating in a Super Bowl VII victory.
Under his leadership, the Dolphins repeated as champions the following year in Super Bowl VIII.
Throughout his career, Shula’s teams appeared in six Super Bowls, and he set an NFL record with 328 regular-season wins.
He retired in 1995, holding a record of 347 wins, 173 losses, and 6 ties, making him the most victorious coach in NFL history.
Recognizing his unparalleled contributions to football, Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Don Shula Met Mary Anne Stephens at a New Year’s Day Party
Don Shula married his second wife, Mary Anne Stephens, on October 16, 1993, in a private ceremony at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Miami Beach.
Mary Anne and Don first met at a New Year’s Day party on Indian Creek Island, Florida, in 1992.
At the time, Shula was grieving the loss of his first wife, Dorothy, who had passed away the previous year.
Their connection quickly grew, and they began dating in the spring of 1992.
Before she married Shula, Mary Anne married three times: first to John Maddox Smith, then to James Keller, and finally to Jackson T. Stephens.
Born Mary Anne Hurst on July 7, 1945, in Coal Hill, Arkansas, she was the fifth of six children in a close-knit family.
Her father was a soybean and cotton farmer, and her mother was a nurse and Bible teacher.
This humble upbringing fostered in her a strong sense of community and a commitment to helping others.
At just 15 years old, Mary Anne moved out of her family home to live with her older sister, Colleen, seeking new opportunities to shape her future.
She is widely recognized for her philanthropic contributions, particularly her work in supporting students with learning disabilities.
In 1990, she was named “Arkansas Citizen” for her remarkable fundraising efforts, which included raising $28 million for a national learning center at the University of the Ozarks in Arkansas.
Her generosity extended beyond her home state; she also organized a gala at the Fontainebleau Hilton in Miami Beach, raising over $400,000 for the Miami Heart Institute as its chairwoman.
In addition to her philanthropy, she has also explored the entertainment industry.
She served as a producer of “Teamwork Baby” and appeared in the ESPN series “SportsCentury” in 1999.
Throughout their marriage, Don and Mary Anne were known for their visible affection and happiness.
Sources often described them as a couple deeply in love, sharing meals, holding hands at the dinner table, and enjoying each other’s company.
Mary Anne’s sister Colleen even described them as “blissfully happy,” a sentiment echoed by friends and family.
Sadly, Don passed away on May 4, 2020, at the age of 90, in their home on Indian Creek Island.
Mary Anne was by his side during their 26 years of marriage, providing support throughout his coaching career and retirement.
Her encouragement and partnership were integral to Shula’s philanthropic efforts and post-coaching endeavors, leaving a lasting legacy for both of them.
Don Shula and His First Wife, Dorothy Bartish, Were High School Sweethearts
Dorothy Bartish was Don Shula’s first wife. The couple married on July 19, 1958, shortly after Don’s playing career ended.
They celebrated their honeymoon in Wildwood, New Jersey.
Their love story traced back to their roots in Painesville, Ohio, where they grew up in the same community.
Though Dorothy was four years younger and their paths didn’t cross during elementary school, they reconnected in high school and built a lifelong bond.
This connection grew stronger over time, ultimately leading to their marriage.
Born on August 8, 1933, Dorothy was the daughter of John Bartish and Dorothy Hammond.
She pursued a career in education and even taught in Hawaii for a year.
As Shula’s coaching career flourished, Dorothy became his steadfast supporter, standing by him through the highs and lows.
Together, they raised five children: Dave (born May 28, 1959), Donna (born April 28, 1961), Sharon (born June 30, 1962), Anne (born May 7, 1964), and Mike (born June 3, 1965).
After starting their family, Dorothy decided to leave her teaching career to focus on raising their children and supporting Don’s demanding career.
Tragically, breast cancer cut short Dorothy’s life, and she passed away on February 25, 1991, at the age of 57 in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Her death marked the end of a 32-year marriage filled with love, partnership, and dedication.
Dorothy was laid to rest at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Doral.
Don, deeply moved by his wife’s battle with breast cancer, created the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research to fund innovative research and raise awareness about the disease.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Don Shula’s parents, Dan and Mary Shula, were of Hungarian heritage, with their birth names being Dénes Süle and Mária Miller.
- He came from a family with six siblings, among whom were triplets born in 1936.
- He co-authored three books: “The Winning Edge” (1973), “Everyone’s a Coach” (1995), and “The Little Black Book of Coaching: Motivating People to Be Winners” (2001).
