Who Is Tyna Robertson? Biography, Legal Fights, and Real Life Facts

Tyna Robertson is a name that many people have seen in news stories, legal documents, and public reports over the years, but few truly understand the full story behind it. Her life has been filled with moments of love, heartbreak, controversy, and strength. Even though she never wanted fame, her relationships with well-known people like former NFL player Brian Urlacher and Irish dancer Michael Flatley pushed her into the public eye.
Tyna’s story is not just about courtrooms and headlines—it is about a woman who has faced incredible challenges and continued to move forward despite them. Through every loss and every difficult moment, she has shown resilience and determination, qualities that define who she truly is behind the public image.
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| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tyna Marie Robertson (also known as Tyna Karageorge) |
| Birth Year | 1974 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 51 years old |
| Birthplace | Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | Business Administration, University of Illinois |
| Profession | Former Model, Real Estate Agent, Mortgage Broker |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) |
| Weight | 58 kilograms (128 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Marital Status | Widow (husband: Ryan Karageorge) |
| Children | One son – Kennedy Urlacher (born 2005) |
| Known For | Legal disputes involving Michael Flatley and Brian Urlacher |
| Current Residence | Illinois, United States |
| Net Worth (2025) | Approximately $1 million |
| Social Media | Not active on any platform |
Who is Tyna Robertson?
Tyna Robertson is an American woman best known for her past relationship with former NFL star Brian Urlacher, with whom she shares a son named Kennedy. She first became known to the public in 2003 after filing a lawsuit against dancer Michael Flatley, which later resulted in a legal judgment against her.
Over the years, she has faced media attention because of her legal battles, including a long custody dispute with Urlacher and a defamation case filed after the tragic death of her husband, Ryan Karageorge. Born in 1974 in Illinois, Tyna once worked as a model and real estate agent. Today, she lives a private and quiet life in Illinois, focusing on her family and staying away from the public eye.
Early Life and Family Background
Tyna Robertson was born in 1974 in Illinois, United States. She grew up in a regular middle-class family and spent her childhood surrounded by family and friends who valued hard work and honesty. Her early years were peaceful and far from the kind of public attention she would later experience. She attended local schools before enrolling at the University of Illinois, where she studied business administration. From a young age, Tyna showed ambition and a desire to build a stable, successful life.
People who knew her then described her as caring, goal-oriented, and determined to make a better future for herself. These qualities would later help her face some of the most difficult moments of her life. Before her name appeared in newspapers, she lived the quiet life of a hardworking woman who dreamed of building a good life and career.
Tyna Robertson Age and Physical Details
As of 2025, Tyna Robertson is 51 years old. She was born in 1974 in Illinois, United States, and has maintained a graceful and simple appearance over the years. Tyna stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 58 kilograms, giving her a balanced and healthy build. She has blonde hair and brown eyes, which complement her calm and gentle personality. Even though she once worked as a model, she now prefers a natural and private lifestyle, staying away from media attention and living quietly with her family in Illinois.
Career Beginnings
Before her name was linked with legal battles and celebrity stories, Tyna Robertson worked as a model and later moved into real estate and mortgage brokerage. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area, where she built connections in both the business and social scenes. Her work required confidence, people skills, and strong communication—qualities she naturally possessed.
Tyna enjoyed her independence and her ability to support herself. She was known by her coworkers as someone who was professional and driven. During this period, her life was stable and focused on work, family, and normal day-to-day routines. She was not a celebrity or a public figure; she was simply a woman working hard to make a living and raise her family.
Michael Flatley Lawsuit
Tyna Robertson’s first major appearance in national news came in 2003 when she filed a $33 million lawsuit against Michael Flatley, the famous dancer best known for “Lord of the Dance.” She accused Flatley of sexual assault, and her claims quickly became the focus of media attention across the country. However, the case took an unexpected turn. Flatley denied the accusations, and the courts later ruled in his favor. In 2007, he won an $11 million countersuit against Tyna after the court found her allegations to be false and part of what was described as an attempt at extortion.
This was a devastating loss for Tyna, both emotionally and financially. It also damaged her reputation in the public eye, making her the subject of harsh media coverage and public criticism. The case followed her for years and became one of the defining moments of her early adult life. Despite how painful the outcome was, she tried to rebuild her life quietly after the ruling, focusing on her work and family responsibilities.
Tyna Robertson’s Relationship with Brian Urlacher

In the early 2000s, Tyna met Brian Urlacher, a professional football player who was already famous for his career with the Chicago Bears. Urlacher was one of the most recognized athletes in the NFL, known for his strong leadership and skill on the field. Their relationship began through mutual friends in Chicago and developed quickly. In 2005, the couple welcomed their son, Kennedy Urlacher.
Becoming a mother was one of the most meaningful moments of Tyna’s life, and she devoted herself to raising her child. However, her relationship with Brian did not last long after Kennedy’s birth. They separated soon after, and their differences over parenting and lifestyle eventually led to legal disputes. Even though their romantic relationship ended, their shared responsibility for Kennedy connected them for years to come.
Who Is Brian Urlacher?
Brian Urlacher is a former American football player best known for his career as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears in the NFL. He was born on May 25, 1978, in Pasco, Washington, and played college football at the University of New Mexico before being drafted by the Bears in 2000. Urlacher quickly became one of the league’s top defensive players, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.
After retiring in 2013, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Off the field, he has been involved in business and charity work and is also known for his high-profile personal life, including his past relationship with Tyna Robertson, with whom he shares a son, Kennedy.
Custody Disputes
In June 2005, Brian Urlacher filed a paternity suit to confirm that he was Kennedy’s father. A DNA test later proved his paternity, and the focus of the case shifted to custody and visitation rights. Tyna and Brian disagreed on many issues related to raising their son, and the situation soon became complicated. By 2007, the disagreements had reached a point where the court ordered both parents to attend parenting classes to help them work together more effectively for Kennedy’s benefit.
Tyna publicly said she hoped the classes would help Brian become a better father and that she was committed to co-parenting. However, the tension between them continued, and the custody battle remained active for many years. What should have been a private matter turned into a public legal fight that attracted constant media attention.
Marriage to Ryan Karageorge
After her relationship with Brian Urlacher ended, Tyna eventually found love again. She married Ryan Karageorge, a lawyer and former college football player. Their relationship brought some peace and stability to Tyna’s life, and for a time, it seemed that she had finally found happiness. Ryan was supportive of Tyna and played a big role in raising Kennedy. The family lived together in Illinois and appeared to have a normal, comfortable life. But tragedy struck on December 29, 2016, when Ryan died from a gunshot wound at their home.
According to reports, the couple had been arguing before Ryan took a gun from Tyna’s purse and shot himself. His death was later ruled a suicide by authorities, but the incident caused shock and deep sadness for everyone involved. It was a devastating loss for Tyna, who not only lost her husband but also faced public judgment and renewed media attention. It marked one of the darkest moments in her life.
Tyna Robertson’s Children
Tyna Robertson has one child, a son named Kennedy Urlacher, born in 2005 from her relationship with former NFL player Brian Urlacher. Kennedy has grown up mostly out of the public eye, as Tyna has worked hard to protect his privacy despite years of media attention surrounding their family. She has always focused on giving him a stable and loving upbringing, even while facing legal battles and personal challenges. As of 2025, Kennedy is a young adult, and Tyna continues to prioritize his well-being and future above everything else, maintaining a quiet and family-centered life in Illinois.
Emergency Custody Case
Only days after Ryan’s death, Brian Urlacher filed for emergency custody of their son, Kennedy, who was 11 years old at the time. He claimed that the home environment had become unsafe and that he was concerned about Kennedy’s well-being. The court agreed to give Urlacher temporary custody while the situation was reviewed. This decision was another painful moment for Tyna, who was still grieving her husband’s death.
Suddenly, she was faced with a new legal battle—this time, one that involved her child. The custody fight that followed became one of the most closely watched cases involving an athlete’s family in Chicago. It was emotional, complicated, and deeply personal. For Tyna, it felt like another storm in a life that had already seen too many.
Defamation Lawsuit
In December 2017, Tyna Robertson filed a $125 million defamation lawsuit against Brian Urlacher. In her claim, she said that Urlacher had made false statements to law enforcement and court officials after Ryan’s death, suggesting that she might have been responsible for the shooting. She argued that these accusations were not only false but also damaging to her reputation and her rights as a mother. Her lawsuit also said that these claims hurt her personally, emotionally, and professionally.
Tyna’s goal was to clear her name and hold Urlacher accountable for what she believed were harmful lies. However, the case was dismissed in 2019 when the court ruled that Urlacher’s comments were protected by free speech laws. Tyna appealed the decision, but the appeal was denied in 2020. The dismissal was another setback for her, and it showed how difficult defamation cases can be—especially when they involve public figures. Even though she lost the case, it represented her determination to defend her name and stand up for herself after years of public criticism.
Life After the Lawsuits
After many years of legal disputes and emotional struggles, Tyna Robertson chose to step away from public life. She stopped appearing in the media and stayed off social media platforms. Her focus became her family and her son, who was growing into a young adult. Friends have said that Tyna’s main goal is to give her son a stable and peaceful environment away from the attention that surrounded them for so long.
Financially, her life has also changed. Her earlier careers in modeling and real estate gave her some stability, but the cost of years in court took a toll. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around one million dollars. Despite not being wealthy or famous, she lives comfortably and quietly in Illinois. She no longer seeks public attention and instead values her privacy and her family life above all else. After all the pain and loss, her biggest wish has been to live in peace.
Media and Public Perception
Throughout her life, Tyna Robertson has been portrayed in many different ways by the media. Some outlets have shown sympathy for her, focusing on the difficult experiences she has endured, while others have painted her in a negative light. Much of the media attention has centered on her relationships with famous men and her legal troubles, often ignoring the human side of her story.
Despite the judgment and misunderstanding, Tyna has remained private and avoided public arguments. She has rarely spoken to reporters, preferring to communicate through her attorneys when necessary. This quiet approach has helped her regain some control over her life and protect her family’s privacy. Over time, as her name appears less in headlines, people have started to see her story not just as one of controversy, but as one of survival and strength.
Current Life
Today, Tyna Robertson lives a peaceful life away from the spotlight in Illinois. She focuses on her son and on rebuilding her sense of normalcy after everything she has been through. Her decision to live privately shows that she values her mental and emotional well-being more than public attention. Those close to her describe her as strong, caring, and determined to move forward with dignity.
Although she will always be connected to stories from her past, she has learned to live quietly and with purpose. For her, peace and privacy are more valuable than fame or recognition. She continues to focus on being a good mother and living a stable life, far removed from the chaos that once surrounded her.
Tyna Robertson’s Net Worth
Tyna Robertson’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around one million dollars. Her income comes from her earlier careers in modeling, real estate, and mortgage brokerage. Although her long legal battles affected her finances, she has managed to maintain a stable lifestyle. She has never sought money or fame through her personal connections and has instead focused on providing for her family through hard work. Her story is not one of wealth or celebrity but of survival and independence.
Conclusion
The story of Tyna Robertson is one of perseverance, loss, and quiet strength. From her early life in Illinois to her relationships, legal struggles, and personal heartbreak, she has endured more than most people ever will. Despite years of public attention, she has remained focused on being a mother and living her life with dignity.
Today, she chooses peace over publicity and privacy over fame. Her life is a reminder that behind every public story is a real person with hopes, pain, and courage. Through everything, Tyna Robertson has continued to stand tall, rebuild her life, and find strength in the simplest things—family, peace, and resilience.
FAQs About Tyna Robertson
1. Who is Tyna Robertson?
Tyna Robertson is an American woman best known for her past relationship with former NFL star Brian Urlacher, with whom she shares a son named Kennedy. She became known publicly due to her legal battles, including lawsuits and custody disputes that received national attention.
2. How old is Tyna Robertson?
As of 2025, Tyna Robertson is 51 years old. She was born in 1974 in Illinois, United States.
3. What is Tyna Robertson known for?
Tyna Robertson is known for her connection to Brian Urlacher, her custody battle over their son Kennedy, and her 2003 lawsuit involving Irish dancer Michael Flatley, which later resulted in a countersuit against her.
4. Was Tyna Robertson married?
Yes, Tyna Robertson was married to Ryan Karageorge, a lawyer and former college football player. Sadly, Ryan passed away in 2016 in a tragic incident that was ruled a suicide.
5. Does Tyna Robertson have children?
Yes, Tyna Robertson has one child, her son Kennedy Urlacher, born in 2005. She shares him with Brian Urlacher and has worked hard to give him a private and stable upbringing.
6. What happened between Tyna Robertson and Brian Urlacher?
Tyna and Brian Urlacher were in a relationship in the early 2000s and had a son together. After they separated, they were involved in a long custody battle over their child, which attracted significant media attention.
7. Where is Tyna Robertson now?
As of 2025, Tyna Robertson lives a private life in Illinois. She stays away from public events and social media, focusing on her family and living peacefully after years of legal and personal challenges.
8. What is Tyna Robertson’s net worth?
Tyna Robertson’s estimated net worth in 2025 is around $1 million. Her income comes mainly from her past work as a model, real estate agent, and mortgage broker.