Meet Holly Bankemper: Inside the Life of Cris Collinsworth’s Accomplished Wife

Quick Bio

Who Is Holly Bankemper?

Holly Bankemper is an American attorney from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, known for her long and steady career in general law and her strong dedication to family and community. Born on November 23, 1964, she has worked as a lawyer since 1988 and is respected for her calm, honest, and thoughtful way of helping people. She is married to Cris Collinsworth, and together they have four children. Holly is also active in charity work, especially breast cancer support programs and local school projects. Even with a busy life, she chooses to stay out of the spotlight and focus on her work, her loved ones, and the peaceful hometown where she grew up.

Early Life and Family Background

Holly Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964, in the small and friendly city of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. The town sits close to the Ohio River and has a warm, safe atmosphere that makes people feel rooted and connected. Growing up with a brother and a sister in a close family, she learned early about responsibility, caring for others, and being part of a community where everyone knows each other.

Her family encouraged education, good manners, and kindness, and Holly carried those values with her through every stage of her life. Even as a child, people noticed her positive attitude and her ability to bring calmness into any situation. She enjoyed school, joined activities, and liked being involved with people around her. These early years shaped her personality and helped her develop the balanced and thoughtful nature she is known for today.

Holly Bankemper Age and Personal Details

Holly Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964, in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and she is 62 years old as of 2026. She is an American attorney who has spent more than three decades working in general law, and she is known for her calm personality, steady work style, and strong community values.

Holly stands about 5 feet 8 inches tall, has blonde hair and green eyes, and carries herself with a warm and friendly presence. She is married to Cris Collinsworth, and together they have four children. Holly still lives in her hometown of Fort Thomas, where she continues her legal career and supports local causes, including breast cancer awareness projects.

Growing Up in Fort Thomas

Living in Fort Thomas played a huge part in the person Holly became. The town is known for its quiet streets, strong school system, and community activities that bring families together. Holly grew up surrounded by neighbors who cared about each other, teachers who encouraged their students, and a city that valued education and character. This environment gave her a strong sense of belonging and taught her that being part of a community means helping when help is needed and showing up for the people around you.

She felt safe, supported, and inspired, and she carried that feeling into her adult life. Even when she later had the chance to live somewhere else, she chose to stay connected to Fort Thomas because it represented everything she loved: peace, family, and a place where good values matter.

Highlands High School Years

When Holly attended Highlands High School, she became known as a bright student with a friendly personality. She was active in school life and became a cheerleader, something she enjoyed because it allowed her to work with a team, build confidence, and represent her school. Being a cheerleader helped her learn discipline, teamwork, and leadership, but it also gave her many friendships that lasted for years.

People who knew her during this time often remember her warm smile and how she carried herself with quiet confidence. Even though she was involved in fun activities, she never lost focus on her studies and always tried to do her best. Many years later, the school honored her as Alumnus of the Year, showing how much she continued to support and uplift the place where her journey began.

College at the University of Kentucky

After high school, Holly went to the University of Kentucky, where she continued to grow both academically and personally. She once again joined the cheerleading team, this time cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats, and learned even more about teamwork and commitment. While she loved being active in school spirit, she always kept her studies at the center of her life and worked hard to prepare for her future career.

College introduced her to new ideas, new people, and new goals, and she began thinking seriously about practicing law. Her experience at the University of Kentucky helped shape her independence and her drive, giving her the confidence to pursue a professional path that demanded dedication and discipline.

Law School at the University of Cincinnati

Holly’s next major step was attending the University of Cincinnati College of Law, a school known for its high standards and challenging courses. Law school is demanding, and Holly approached it with her usual determination and patience. She spent long hours studying, learning the details of the legal system, writing, reading cases, and preparing for a career that would require strong problem-solving skills.

It was during this period that her life took an unexpected turn, because the same school that helped build her career also became the place that connected her to the man she would one day marry. While they were not in the same classes at that time, the law school played an important part in bringing her and Cris together.

How Holly Bankemper Met Cris Collinsworth

Holly and Cris first met at The Precinct, a well-known Cincinnati restaurant that Cris co-owned. Holly went there with a friend, and through a lighthearted moment involving mutual friends, the two were introduced. Although the introduction involved a small joke that made Cris laugh later, the real connection happened when they began talking. Holly was calm, intelligent, and sincere, and her grounded personality was very different from what Cris had experienced in the public world of sports and entertainment.

As they got to know each other, they discovered they shared many values, including loyalty, kindness, and a strong work ethic. Their relationship grew slowly and naturally, and before long, they realized they had built something meaningful and lasting.

Their Engagement Story

When Cris decided he wanted to propose, he originally thought about doing something big and public, even considering a live moment during a baseball game. After receiving advice from his friend Al Michaels, he changed his mind and chose something more private and heartfelt. He proposed to Holly on a quiet bridge over the Ohio River, away from cameras and attention, giving them a peaceful moment they could keep to themselves. It was a simple gesture, but it reflected the true nature of their relationship—genuine, steady, and full of respect.

Holly Bankemper’s Wedding and Marriage

Holly Bankemper married Cris Collinsworth on June 3, 1989, in a warm and simple ceremony shared with close family and friends, creating the start of a long and steady life together. After their wedding, the couple chose to settle in Holly’s hometown of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, because they wanted a peaceful place with strong community values to raise their family.

Their married life has been built on patience, support, and teamwork, with Holly keeping the home stable while Cris traveled often for his broadcasting job. Over the years, they have raised four children, supported each other’s goals, and built a loving home filled with routine, care, and deep respect for one another.

Who Is Cris Collinsworth?

Building Their Life in Fort Thomas

Choosing to remain in Fort Thomas was one of the most important decisions the couple made. While Cris’s broadcasting career could have taken them to Los Angeles, New York, or other major cities, they wanted to raise their family in a stable and peaceful place. Holly loved the community where she grew up, and Cris loved the quiet and supportive environment it offered. Their home became a gathering place filled with love, laughter, and the everyday moments that make family life meaningful. Staying in Fort Thomas also allowed Holly to continue her law career while staying close to her family and her community.

Holly’s Long Legal Career

Holly began practicing law in 1988, and for more than three decades, she has built a reputation as a trustworthy and hardworking attorney. She handles general law, meaning she has experience with many different types of cases, and she has earned respect through her fairness, honesty, and steady commitment to her clients.

As a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association, she works in one of the most active legal communities in the Midwest. Holly never used her husband’s fame to advance her own career, choosing instead to build her professional life quietly and independently. Her work is valued because she shows people care and attention, listens well, and offers practical solutions.

Her Professional Values

People who know Holly’s work describe her as patient, organized, and thoughtful. She believes in doing things the right way, treating people with respect, and staying calm even when problems are difficult. Her approach to law is shaped by her belief that every person deserves fairness and clear guidance. She has helped many families through stressful situations, and she does it without seeking attention or praise. Her long career shows her dedication not only to her clients but also to her community, as she continues to work in the place where she grew up.

Balancing Work and Family

One of the strongest parts of Holly’s story is how she managed to balance the demands of her job with the needs of her family. Cris’s broadcasting work required constant travel, and many weekends were spent away from home. Holly became the steady center of their household, helping with homework, driving to school events, preparing meals, and being present for all four children. She did this while still practicing law, showing incredible dedication and love. Their family often describes her as the person who held everything together and created a warm, supportive home where everyone felt cared for.

Their Children

Holly and Cris have four children—Ashley, Austin, Jac, and Katie—and each one has gone on to achieve success in different areas. Ashley attended Harvard University and was a strong track athlete before building a career in content and communications. Austin played football at the University of Notre Dame, later becoming the Chief Operating Officer at Pro Football Focus.

Jac followed his father into broadcasting, working with NBC Sports and building a strong presence on television. Katie, the oldest, has worked in public relations and marketing and is now a devoted mother of four children. Holly’s influence is clear in the compassion, confidence, and strong work ethic her children show in their own lives.

Family Life at Home

Even with busy schedules, the Collinsworth family always made time to come together for meals, celebrations, and small everyday moments. Holly created an environment where everyone felt safe to share ideas, talk about their day, and receive support. The home they built in Fort Thomas is filled with memories of holidays, school achievements, laughter, and the comfort of being surrounded by loved ones. Holly’s steady presence helped shape her children into caring and successful adults, and now she enjoys watching her grandchildren grow with the same love and joy.

Holly’s Philanthropic Work

One of the most meaningful parts of Holly’s life is her work with the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, a charity dedicated to breast cancer awareness and early detection. Holly serves on the board and helps organize events, raise funds, and support women who need screenings and care. The program has helped countless women receive early testing, which can save lives. Holly cares deeply about this mission and gives her time and energy to make sure women in her community receive the help they need. She approaches this work with the same quiet dedication she shows in every part of her life.

Support for Fort Thomas Schools

Holly has also given back to her hometown by helping raise more than $7 million to improve local schools, including her own Highlands High School. Her involvement helped build better facilities, create new programs, and provide opportunities for future students. This effort earned her the Highlands Alumnus of the Year award, showing how much her contribution meant to the community. Her dedication to education and community growth reflects her belief that strong schools create strong futures for young people.

Her Personal Values

Throughout her life, Holly has stayed committed to values like kindness, honesty, privacy, and humility. She does not seek attention, does not appear on social media, and chooses to keep her life simple and grounded. She shows that you do not have to be loud to make a difference and that real strength often comes from quiet actions and steady dedication. These values guide her decisions, her relationships, her work, and her role as a mother and grandmother.

A Life of Privacy

In today’s world, many people try to document every moment of their lives, but Holly has made a very different choice. She prefers to stay out of the public eye, focusing on her work, her family, and her community. She appears at events only when it matters, such as supporting her children or helping with charity programs, and she draws a clear line between her personal life and the public world. Her privacy is not a way of hiding but a way of protecting the life she values most—a peaceful home, loving relationships, and meaningful work.

Her Life Today

As of 2026, Holly still lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, where she continues practicing law and staying close to her family. She enjoys time with her grandchildren, participates in community events, and remains active in charity work. Her home continues to be a place filled with warmth and togetherness, and she still enjoys the simple life she built many years ago. Even though she could have chosen a more public lifestyle, she remains loyal to the quiet and meaningful path that brings her happiness.

Net Worth and Independence

Holly’s personal net worth is around $3 million, earned through her long career as an attorney. Her financial independence reflects her dedication and the steady effort she has put into her professional life. Although her husband is well-known and successful, Holly built her career on her own and has always valued her ability to stand on her own two feet. Her work is a strong example of what it means to build success through patience and commitment.

Timeline of Her Life

Looking at Holly’s life from childhood to adulthood, it is easy to see how her early values shaped her journey. From growing up in Fort Thomas, to studying at the University of Kentucky, to completing law school in Cincinnati, to raising four children and giving back to her community, every chapter of her life shows responsibility, kindness, and a strong desire to help others. Her timeline is steady, meaningful, and full of achievements that reflect her character.

Conclusion

Holly Bankemper is a great example of someone who chooses a calm and meaningful life built on hard work, family values, and steady dedication. From growing up in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, to building a long career as an attorney, she has always stayed true to the simple qualities that define her—kindness, patience, and honesty.

Her marriage to Cris Collinsworth and the loving home they created for their four children show how important family is to her, while her work in community projects and breast cancer support reflects her desire to help others. Even with a busy life and a well-known husband, Holly prefers privacy and peace, proving that a strong and successful life does not need the spotlight.

FAQs About Holly Bankemper

1. Who is Holly Bankemper?
Holly Bankemper is an American attorney from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, known for her long legal career, community work, and her marriage to Cris Collinsworth.

2. How old is Holly Bankemper?
Holly Bankemper was born on November 23, 1964, which makes her 62 years old in 2026.

3. What does Holly Bankemper do for a living?
She is a general practice attorney and has worked in the legal field since 1988, earning respect for her honest and calm approach.

4. Where does Holly Bankemper live?
She lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, the same hometown where she grew up.

5. How did Holly Bankemper meet Cris Collinsworth?
Holly met Cris at The Precinct in Cincinnati, where mutual friends introduced them during dinner.

6. When did Holly Bankemper and Cris Collinsworth get married?
They married on June 3, 1989, and have built a strong and lasting marriage since then.

7. How many children does Holly Bankemper have?
Holly and Cris have four children—Katie, Austin, Ashley, and Jac—each successful in their own careers and personal lives.

8. What is Holly Bankemper’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is around $3 million, earned through her long and steady law career.