Travis Kelce and Donna Kelce (Image via Getty Images)
She was just 12 when her mother died, leaving her and her younger brother to navigate life without a parent they had always known. Donna was only 12, while her brother was 10. Donna opened up about this painful chapter during a February 6, 2023, appearance on the New Heights podcast, hosted by Jason and Travis. Donna discussed this during a Mother’s Day episode of The Martha Stewart Podcast , released in May 2024. She later earned a master’s degree and built a 30-year career in banking. Mary passed away in 2023, but her influence remains an important part of Donna’s story.
Remembering the woman who helped raise her and her brother, Donna said, “By the grace of God, if we didn’t have her, I don’t think we would have made it through. Long before Donna Kelce became known as the mother of NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce , she experienced a childhood loss that changed her family forever. But an unexpected source of support helped Donna find her footing again. Her stepmother, Mary Blalock, became a guiding force who encouraged her dreams and helped shape the woman she would eventually become. Donna Kelce grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, with her parents and younger brother, Don. Her childhood took a heartbreaking turn when her mother passed away. Her father later married Mary Blalock, who became an important part of their lives. Mary offered the siblings the support they needed during a difficult period and helped bring stability back into their childhood. The episode came just days before her sons faced each other in Super Bowl LVII. She also spoke fondly of Mary, adding, “She’s just a lovely lady. Wish she was with us. Donna Kelce’s words offered a rare glimpse into the family experiences that shaped her long before her sons became household names. Mary’s influence extended beyond helping Donna Kelce cope with childhood grief. She also encouraged her to pursue ambitions that were not always supported by her father. She explained that her father had traditional views about women’s roles, but her stepmother helped her explore opportunities in sports. Donna recalled, “And thank goodness, I had a stepmother growing up, and she was very good. She was an athlete herself, and she kind of helped me, you know, navigate that and let me do things that my dad might not have necessarily wanted. Her interest in track and field eventually took her to the Junior Olympics, where she competed in high jump and achieved success. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines Mary also encouraged her education. Donna attended Ohio University and became the first person in her family to graduate from college. For the Kelce matriarch, she was more than a stepmother. She was the woman who helped her find confidence, independence and strength after an early childhood loss. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.