While Jerry Reinsdorf is a sharp businessman and sports mogul, his wife, Martyl Rifkin, received immense love due to her artistic contribution and philanthropic efforts.
Born on February 25, 1936, Jerry Michael Reinsdorf is an American sports executive and businessman who owns the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and MLB’s Chicago White Sox.
While Reinsdorf has owned the White Sox and Bulls for nearly 40 years, he started his professional life as a tax attorney.
As of May 2024, his estimated net worth is around $2.2 billion.
Jerry Reinsdorf Met His Wife, Martyl Rifkin, At George Washington University
The wife of Jerry Reinsdorf is Martyl Rifkin, who sadly passed away in 2021. Jerry met the love of his life at George Washington University while they were both students.
The couple is well-regarded in the Chicago community for their charitable contributions, particularly in education, healthcare, and community development.
After marrying in 1956, they welcomed four children: Susan Reinsdorf, David Reinsdorf, Michael Reinsdorf, and Jonathan Reinsdorf.
However, their shared passion for philanthropy and charity work brought them closer.
This balance between Jerry’s business acumen and his wife Martyl’s artistic pursuit seems to have contributed to their enduring partnership.
Aside From Her Great Philanthropic Efforts, Martyl Rifkin Was Also A Brilliant Jewelry Designer
Martyl Rifkin was born on March 4, 1936, to parents Milton and Vivette Ravel Rifkin.
While her father, Milton, was a plastics manufacturer, her mother, Vivette, was the founder and president of Educational Tape Recording for the Blind.
Martyl grew up in Denver, Colorado, alongside her two sisters, Dovie Horvitz and Jill Grundland, and a brother, Jeremy Rifkin, a famous author.
However, in 1944, the Rifkin family moved to Chicago, attending the Sutherland Elementary School and Morgan Park High School.
While her sisters have chosen a private life, her brother, Jeremy, is a famous author and prominent public figure.
Furthermore, Martyl studied at the George Washington University, where she studied Japanese and Chinese history.
Besides being the wife of chairman of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox, Martyl was a well-known jewelry designer and philanthropist.
She was an acclaimed fine arts creator of colorful Cloisonné jewelry. Moreover, she had designed five of the Bulls’ six NBA championship rings.
Additionally, she designed the 2005 White Sox World Series championship ring. NBA fans admired Martyl’s fantastic designs.
While living at the Pentagon, she worked for the Defense Department. Later, she moved to Chicago with her husband, Jerry, a talented designer who was also employed by the Department of Agriculture.
Although her husband had accumulated a substantial net worth, Martyl was financially independent.
Martyl also funded various charities in Chicago, Phoenix, and Israel. She won the 2004 Clarence Troyer Volunteer of the Year Award.
In 2011, the American Friends of Hebrew University presented her with the Torch of Learning Award.
“My mother lived life to the fullest. A devoted artist, a big heart, a big personality, a strong woman, she always fought for the underdog and was so compassionate and thoughtful of others. She was such an influence on me, and as I was growing up, was always accepting of me and my friends, as if everyone was always part of the family.”
Susan Reinsdorf
Children referred to her as ‘Grandma Martyl’ because she developed and gave over a million coloring books, crayons, markers, and toys to hospitals, orphanages, and shelters.
“The very first coloring book I did was when my granddaughter, Jenny, called and asked me to design a coloring book for her. After a few weeks all her cousins and friends and my other grandchildren asked for more coloring books. They all loved the books so much I decided to find other children who also might enjoy the books. I decided if I could make a few sick children in the hospital happy, it would be a worthwhile way to share the books I was designing.”
Martyl Rifkin Reinsdorf
She also gave comfort packages to Hurricane Katrina survivors, patients at Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and The Spectrios Institute for Low Vision (previously Deicke Eye Center).
Martyl died peacefully in 2021 at 85 at her home in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Born into a Jewish family, Jerry Reinsdorf is the son of a sewing machine salesman.
- His son, Michael Reinsdorf, is an NBA Governor and father of three kids.
- Martyl was a longtime friend of Allan H. “Bud” Selig, who works as Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball.
