Updated: September 24, 2026
Mary Barth Budenholzer has stepped into the spotlight recently after marrying NBA legend Gregg Popovich. Yet many fans still search for answers about her earlier life, especially her first husband. That man is Mike Budenholzer, the respected NBA coach who spent nearly two decades working alongside Popovich in San Antonio. Their story blends quiet family life with the high-stakes world of professional basketball.
Table of Contents
Who Is Mary Barth Budenholzer?
Mary Ellen Barth was born on October 10, 1964, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She attended Mary Carroll High School and later graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Known for her privacy, Mary rarely sought media attention. She preferred supporting her family from the sidelines while her first husband built a coaching career. Friends and reports describe her as steady, private, and deeply involved in raising their children during the Spurs’ championship years.
Her First Husband: Mike Budenholzer
Mike Budenholzer is an accomplished NBA coach with roots in Arizona basketball. He joined the San Antonio Spurs staff in 1996 under Gregg Popovich and stayed nearly 20 years. During that time the team won four NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007). Mike later became head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 championship, and coached the Phoenix Suns. He earned Coach of the Year honors twice and remains one of the league’s most respected tacticians. His long partnership with Popovich created the tight circle in which he and Mary raised their family.
Their Marriage and Family Life
Mary and Mike married and built a family of four children:
- William Vincent
- Savoia Elizabeth “Libby”
- Hanna Louise
- John Bent “John”
They lived largely out of the public eye even as Mike’s career advanced. Mary supported the Spurs’ success in small, personal ways—once placing brooms along the street with the kids to celebrate a series sweep and hanging a “Best of the West” banner at home. The couple socialized within the Spurs community, and Mary remained a quiet constant through the long seasons and playoff runs. Their life reflected the balance many NBA families try to maintain: intense professional demands paired with private family focus.
Key Facts About Mary Barth Budenholzer and Her First Husband
Detail Information Full Name Mary Ellen Barth Birth Date & Place October 10, 1964, Corpus Christi, Texas Education University of Texas, Austin First Husband Mike Budenholzer Children William, Libby, Hanna, John Approximate Divorce Year 2016 (some reports cite 2018) Mike’s Spurs Tenure 1996–2013 Recent Marriage Gregg Popovich, September 16, 2026
The Divorce and What Happened Next
The couple divorced quietly around 2016, according to reports from TMZ, though some earlier accounts placed the separation closer to 2018. Neither spoke publicly about the reasons. Both moved forward. Mike later entered a new relationship and has spoken warmly about his partner Lisa. Mary remained private until her September 16, 2026, wedding to Gregg Popovich in Bexar County, Texas. The marriage license became public on September 23, 2026. Popovich, whose first wife Erin passed away in 2018, and Mary had known each other for years through the Spurs organization. They had been seen together at games in the previous season.
Life after a high-profile sports marriage often involves careful privacy, co-parenting, and new beginnings. Mary and Mike appear to have managed that transition with discretion, keeping their children’s well-being central.
Conclusion
Mary Barth Budenholzer’s first husband, Mike Budenholzer, remains a significant chapter in her story. Their long marriage produced four children and coincided with some of the most successful years in San Antonio Spurs history. The quiet divorce and both partners’ later relationships show how private lives continue even when careers stay in the public eye. As of September 2026, Mary has begun a new chapter with Gregg Popovich while remaining the same private person who once celebrated championships with broomstick displays and family banners. For those following NBA family stories, her journey offers a reminder that the people behind the coaches often prefer the sidelines—until a new chapter brings them back into view.
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