Former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his wife Ashley Harlan had a unique and cinematic start to their romantic journey.
Ben Roethlisberger and his wife Ashley Harlan’s love story goes back to 2005 when the two met during an NFL league training camp through Ashley’s brother, a die-hard NFL fan.
The Steelers quarterback was at training camp at Saint Vincent College when one of Ashley’s two brothers, Brandon or Brent, approached Roethlisberger and introduced himself.
10 years ago I married the most amazing woman in the world. I am so thankful for her love, support, and her friendship. She has the biggest heart and anyone that knows her knows this. I love you Ashley, even more today then I did that day 10 years ago. — Ben.
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) July 23, 2021
❤ pic.twitter.com/1YXbKaVYYq
Furthermore, after some talking, Ashley’s brother introduced her to Ben Roethlisberger; that’s when Ben asked her out on a date and thought she was going to be his future wife.
Although the couple had some rocky moments, due to multiple accusations on Ben Roethlisberger for se*ual assaults, Ashley Harlan stood by his side through all his difficult times.
Despite all odds, the couple married on July 23, 2011, at Christ Church in Groves Farm, Pennsylvania, in front of more than 500 guests.
Moreover, it was a double celebration for the couple, as Harlan’s 28th birthday was the day after their wedding.
Instead of gifts, Ben Roethlisberger and his Ashley asked invitees to donate money to Ronald McDonald House and Children’s Hospital.
The couple together work for several charitable organizations and established the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, which helps children in need.
Moreover, Ben often expresses his love for his longtime partner. On July 23, 2021, he shared a beautiful post on Twitter on their 10th anniversary.
He wrote:
“10 years ago I married the most amazing woman in the world. I am so thankful for her love, support, and her friendship. She has the biggest heart and anyone that knows her knows this. I love you Ashley, even more today then I did that day 10 years ago.”
Ashley Harlan also often expresses her love for Ben; she regularly attended Steelers games with her children to support her husband before his retirement.
Ben Roethlisberger’s Wife, Ashley Harlan, Excelled in Sports During High School!
Before meeting Ben Roethlisberger, Ashley Harlan was popular as a star athlete in her hometown.
Ashley excelled in sports during her teenage years, born on July 24, 1983, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, to father David W. Harlan and mother Jeannie Harlan.
Moreover, during her high school years at Laurel High School, Ashley played multiple sports, such as basketball, softball, and volleyball.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. 💚 🇮🇪 🍀
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) March 17, 2024
Ben & Ashley with Mr. Dan Rooney, then U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, at the U.S. Embassy Dublin in 2013.🇮🇪 🇺🇸
*Photo courtesy of @USEmbassyDublin pic.twitter.com/XcBn35djQ5
She also won the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Class AA Championship.
Many believe Ashley would choose a career in sports after graduating from high school in 2004 because of her exceptional sports skills.
However, Ashley decided to pursue her career in the medical field and earned her bachelor’s degree in Health Science from Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
A year later, she attained a master’s in Physician Assistant and began her career as a physician assistant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Harlan is currently working as a physician assistant in the Cardiac Surgery Department at the UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.
Happy 11th Birthday, Big Guy! It’s been a Blessing to see the young man that you have become. We love you so much! — Mom, Dad, Baylee and Bodie. 🎂🎊🎁🎈#HappyBirthdayBenjaminJr ❤ pic.twitter.com/JI7Bwasf1Q
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) November 22, 2023
Moreover, Ben Roethlisberger and his wife, Ashley Harlan, are also proud parents of three adorable kids: two sons, Ben Jr. and Bodie, and a daughter, Baylee.
Their first child, son Ben Jr., was born in 2012. Two years later, the couple welcomed their second child, daughter Baylee, in 2014, followed by their third child, son Bodie, in 2016.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Ben Roethlisberger was born Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger on March 2, 1982, in Lima, Ohio, United States, to father Kenneth Todd Roethlisberger and mother Ida Jane Foust.
- His father is a former pitcher and quarterback at Georgia Tech; Ben is of part Swiss descent.
- He is a spokesman for Swiss Roots, a campaign intended to help Americans of Swiss origin reconnect with their Swiss ancestral heritage.
- Ben’s younger sister, Carlee Roethlisberger, played basketball for the University of Oklahoma.
