Donna Kelce gives rare insight into delaying divorce from Ed Kelce: I stood ‘still for several years’
Donna Kelce detailed her decision to delay her and Ed Kelce’s divorce “for several years.” Getty Images
Donna Kelce is sharing rare details about her and Ed Kelce’s divorce.
Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce’s mom explained in Glamour’s 2024 Women of the Year: The Moms issue, published Thursday, that she and her ex “stayed together” for the sake of their sons.
The exes, who wed in the 1970s, maintained a “friendly relationship” despite knowing their “marriage was not working.”
She spoke to Glamour Thursday about “stand[ing] still.” DANIELLE LEVITT
The exes “stayed together for the kids.” Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
“We could do that and make sure that their life was normal as possible,” the 71-year-old explained. “But in that one respect, I did stand still for several years until I could move on on my own.”
The former commercial banker recalled wanting “to get ahead” and “working really, really hard” as the “major breadwinner” in the family.
“I think it’s important for kids to see that a woman can do whatever she wants, but I did stand still, too,” Donna said.
The duo maintained a “friendly” dynamic. AFP via Getty Images
The former couple broke up after Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce’s college graduations. Getty Images
She and Ed were married for roughly 25 years, splitting after Travis, 34, and Jason, 36, graduated from college.
Donna previously told “Martha Stewart Podcast” listeners that it would have been “very, very difficult to raise children” on her own.
“We decided that we would be married throughout the entire time that the kids were in the house, and that’s the way it worked out,” she said in the May episode.
Donna previously explained single motherhood would have been “very difficult.” DANIELLE LEVITT
Logistics would have been a “nightmare,” according to Ed. killatrav/Instagram
The former couple have not divulged any details about their reason for calling it quits.
Travis “started making … connections” and realized his “mom and dad’s situation was different than other parents” in middle school.
“I would go and have sleepovers at other houses and the other parents are staying in the same room, and my parents didn’t stay in the same room,” the Kansas City Chiefs player said in the 2023 “Kelce” documentary.
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Travis realized in middle school that his mom and dad were “different from other parents.” Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Donna and Ed have frequently reunited at their sons’ NFL games. Getty Images
Ed noted that he and Donna “would have preferred” to be apart — but “that would have been a nightmare with the logistics, getting kids where they had to be and providing all the support.”
On Thursday, Donna called motherhood the “most daunting task” and the “hardest thing” she’s ever done.
“They’re totally dependent on you and you’re trying to do the best you can with the limited resources that you have,” she said.
Taylor Swift is often in attendance. TNS
The singer began dating Travis in 2023. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Jason has gone on to welcome children of his own.
The retired athlete and wife Kylie Kelce are the parents of daughters Wyatt, 5, Elliotte, 3, and Bennett, 1.
As for Jason’s “New Heights” podcast co-host, Travis has been in a relationship with Taylor Swift since last summer.
