Gregg Popovich has entered a new chapter away from the sidelines. The legendary former San Antonio Spurs head coach has married Mary Barth Budenholzer, the former wife of his longtime assistant coach Mike Budenholzer, according to a marriage license reported this week.
Popovich, 77, and Mary married on September 16, 2026, in Texas, with the marriage recorded in Bexar County. The news immediately attracted attention because Mike Budenholzer spent nearly two decades working under Popovich in San Antonio before becoming an NBA head coach himself.
Who Is Gregg Popovich’s New Wife?
Gregg Popovich’s wife is Mary Barth Budenholzer, whose maiden name is Mary Ellen Barth.
Mary, 61, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 10, 1964. Published biographical accounts say she attended Mary Carroll High School before studying at the University of Texas at Austin. She has generally maintained a private life despite spending years around one of the NBA’s most successful organizations.
Before marrying Popovich, Mary was married to NBA coach Mike Budenholzer.
The former couple share four children: William Vincent, Savoia Elizabeth “Libby,” Hanna Louise and John Bent. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2016, according to recent reports surrounding Popovich’s wedding.
When Did Gregg Popovich and Mary Barth Get Married?
Popovich and Mary married on September 16, 2026.
TMZ first reported the marriage after obtaining a Bexar County marriage license. CBS Sports and other outlets subsequently reported the same date and filing.
Neither Popovich nor Mary has released a detailed public statement about the wedding.
It is also unclear exactly when their romantic relationship began. Reports note that they had been seen together at Spurs games during the previous season, but neither has publicly provided a relationship timeline.
That distinction is important given the attention surrounding their connections to Mike Budenholzer. There is no verified public information establishing when Popovich and Mary began dating, so speculation about the beginning of their relationship should not be presented as fact.
Why Is Mike Budenholzer Connected to Gregg Popovich?
Mike Budenholzer’s relationship with Popovich goes back decades.
Budenholzer joined the Spurs organization in 1994 and became part of Popovich’s coaching staff, serving as an assistant from 1996 until leaving San Antonio in 2013 to become head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.
During their years together, Budenholzer was part of four Spurs championship teams in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007. He left before San Antonio’s fifth championship under Popovich in 2014.
Budenholzer later coached the Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. He won the NBA championship with Milwaukee in 2021.
That lengthy professional history explains why Popovich’s marriage to Budenholzer’s former wife has generated considerably more attention than a typical celebrity wedding.
Mike Budenholzer Has Also Moved On
Mike Budenholzer has publicly acknowledged another relationship since his divorce from Mary.
When he was introduced as Phoenix Suns head coach in May 2024, Budenholzer thanked a woman named Lisa, describing her as his partner and saying she had been a “game-changer” in his life.
Budenholzer also spoke extensively at the time about his children and how valuable his year away from coaching had been for his family life.
There has been no public indication from Budenholzer regarding Popovich and Mary’s wedding.
Gregg Popovich Was Previously Married to Erin Popovich
Mary is Popovich’s second wife.
Popovich was previously married to Erin Popovich for more than four decades. Erin died in April 2018 at age 67 following a long illness.
The San Antonio Spurs announced her death at the time and described Erin as a central figure in the extended Spurs family. The couple had two children and two grandchildren.
During his 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction, Popovich spoke emotionally about Erin and described her as the family’s “center of gravity” and “rock.”
Popovich and Erin’s children are named Jill and Micky.
Popovich Is No Longer the Spurs Head Coach
The marriage news has also renewed attention on Popovich’s current role with San Antonio.
Popovich ended his historic head-coaching career in 2025 after 29 seasons. He now serves as the Spurs’ president of basketball operations, while Mitch Johnson took over coaching duties.
His final adjusted regular-season coaching record stands at 1,390 wins and 824 losses, making him the NBA’s all-time leader in regular-season coaching victories.
Popovich led San Antonio to five NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, building one of professional basketball’s most consistent dynasties.
His career also includes three NBA Coach of the Year awards and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
What Is Gregg Popovich’s Net Worth?
Gregg Popovich’s net worth has been estimated at approximately $50 million.
That figure comes from celebrity wealth estimates rather than audited financial disclosures and should therefore be treated as an approximation.
Much of Popovich’s wealth is associated with his decades-long NBA career as coach and basketball executive.
His financial situation is separate from Mary’s, whose personal net worth and professional income have not been reliably documented in public sources.
Mary Has Long Kept a Low Profile
Despite her connections to two major NBA coaches, Mary Barth Budenholzer has largely avoided public attention.
During her marriage to Mike, she occasionally appeared in stories about the Budenholzer family during San Antonio’s playoff runs. Reports have recalled her and the children celebrating Spurs victories and taking part in the community surrounding the team.
She has not, however, developed a public-facing career or frequently given interviews.
That pattern has continued following her relationship with Popovich. The newly married couple has not publicly discussed their wedding beyond what has emerged through the marriage record.
A New Chapter After Decades Around the Spurs
Gregg Popovich and Mary Barth Budenholzer’s marriage brings together two people whose lives have been connected to the Spurs organization for decades.
Mary spent years alongside Mike Budenholzer while he developed from a Spurs assistant into an NBA championship-winning head coach. Popovich, meanwhile, built one of the greatest coaching careers in league history before moving into his current executive role.
Their September 2026 wedding confirms a relationship that had previously remained largely private.
What remains unknown is exactly when that relationship began. For now, the verified timeline is clearer: Mary and Mike divorced in 2016, Erin Popovich died in 2018, Gregg and Mary were later seen together publicly, and they married in Texas on September 16, 2026.
FAQ
Who is Gregg Popovich’s wife?
Gregg Popovich’s current wife is Mary Barth Budenholzer, the former wife of NBA coach Mike Budenholzer.
When did Gregg Popovich marry Mary Barth Budenholzer?
Popovich and Mary married on September 16, 2026, in Texas, according to a Bexar County marriage license reported by TMZ.
Who was Mary Barth Budenholzer previously married to?
Mary was previously married to Mike Budenholzer, who worked as an assistant under Popovich before becoming an NBA head coach.
How many children does Mary Barth Budenholzer have?
Mary and Mike Budenholzer share four children: William, Libby, Hanna and John.
Who was Gregg Popovich’s first wife?
Popovich was married to Erin Popovich for more than four decades. She died in April 2018 at age 67.
Does Gregg Popovich have children?
Yes. Popovich and Erin had two children, Jill and Micky.
Is Gregg Popovich still coaching the Spurs?
No. Popovich ended his head-coaching career in 2025 and now serves as San Antonio’s president of basketball operations.
What is Gregg Popovich’s net worth?
His net worth is commonly estimated at around $50 million, although the figure has not been independently verified through public financial records.
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