Who Are Mike Ditka’s Children? What to Know About His Four Kids and Two Marriages

Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame football player and former Chicago Bears head coach who led the team to its historic Super Bowl XX victory, died at 86 on Oct. 9, 2026. Following news of his death, attention has turned to his family, his four children and two marriages.

Ditka kept his personal life largely separate from the public spotlight, even as he became one of the most recognizable figures in professional football. His family story offers another perspective on the man, that fans knew as “Da Coach,” beyond his achievements on the field and sidelines.

Who Are Mike Ditka’s Four Children?

Mike Ditka had four children with his first wife, Marge Dougherty- Mike Ditka III, Mark, Megan and Matt. Ditka’s children grew up as he built a prominent career in professional football. He played for the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys before becoming a coach and eventually leading the Bears from 1982 to 1992.

Despite their father’s high-profile career, the Ditka children have largely kept their personal lives private, and relatively little information about their careers and lives is publicly available.

Despite his demanding career, Ditka’s role as a father was an important part of his life. In an obituary published Oct. 9, the Spokesman-Review quoted him reflecting on his parenting “They probably could have had a better father, but they are good kids.”

Mike Ditka’s First Marriage to Marge Dougherty

Ditka married Margery Ann Dougherty in 1961, during the early years of his professional football career. Their marriage lasted until 1973, when they divorced.

Ditka’s first marriage coincided with his rise as an NFL tight end and his eventual move into coaching. The couple had four children between 1961 and 1966. The Chicago Tribune explored Ditka’s role as a father in its June 1992 profile, “Ditka: The Family Man,” offering a glimpse into his life beyond football.

Who Was Mike Ditka’s Second Wife, Diana?

Ditka married Diana Trantham in 1977, four years after his divorce from Marge. Ditka met Diana Trantham at Sports Page, a bar he owned in Dallas, according to the Spokesman-Review. Their meeting came as his first marriage was ending. Diana became his longtime wife as his career continued through coaching, television and business ventures. Ditka had no publicly documented children with Diana.

Following his death, his family remembered him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, according to a statement cited by The Associated Press. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” the family said. The statement added that, while the world knew him as a football legend, the family knew him as “the heart of our family.”

Mike Ditka’s Family Life Beyond Football

Ditka’s legacy is closely tied to the Chicago Bears, whom he coached from 1982 to 1992. His 1985 team won Super Bowl XX, cementing his place in franchise history and making him a familiar figure to generations of football fans.

He was also a Hall of Fame tight end who won an NFL championship with Chicago as a player in 1963 and a Super Bowl with Dallas as a player in 1972. After his coaching career, he worked as a broadcaster and restaurateur and supported efforts to improve medical and retirement benefits for former players.