Ashley Manning, whose maiden name is Louisa Ashley Thompson, is best known as the wife of retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. However, she’s much more than just an NFL wife.
She is an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, real estate developer, sports enthusiast, and philanthropist who works with a foundation that supports disadvantaged youths and children.
Ashley Manning is deeply committed to her family and has been an unwavering pillar of support throughout Peyton Manning’s career. Her dedication shone brightest during a challenging phase when Peyton faced a serious neck injury and contemplated retirement from football. Ashley’s relentless encouragement and support played a crucial role in helping him navigate through this difficult period, ultimately inspiring him to continue his football career for five more years.
In this article, we will dive deeper into her life and learn more about it; let’s start with a brief profile summary.
Profile Summary
| Name | Ashley Manning (née Thompson) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Real Estate Developer, Philanthropist |
| Date of birth | 1974 |
| Age | 50 years old |
| Spouse | Peyton Manning (retired NFL quarterback) |
| Children | (Twins) Marshall Williams Manning (son) Mosley Thompson Manning (daughter) |
| Known for | Wife of Peyton Manning, Co-founder of PeyBack Foundation, Minority owner of Memphis Grizzlies |
| Other interests | Sports enthusiast, family-oriented |
| Public persona | Private |
Biography
Louisa Ashley Thompson, now known as Ashley Thompson, was born in 1974 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Her father, Bill Thompson, worked as an investment banker and commercial real estate developer.
Her mother, Marsha Thompson, was a homemaker.
Ashley has three siblings: an older sister named Allison, a younger brother named Will, and a younger sister named Leigh.
She graduated from the University of Virginia in 1997 with a major in finance and marketing.
She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, where she met Peyton through her parents’ next-door neighbor when he was a freshman at the University of Tennessee.
In 2001, Manning and Ashley got married in Memphis. They have two children: a son named Marshall Manning and a daughter named Mosley Manning. Currently, the family resides in Denver, Colorado.
Ashley Thompson is well-known for her philanthropic work, including her involvement in various charitable organizations, such as the PeyBack Foundation, founded by Manning, to support disadvantaged youth. She has also volunteered her time and resources for multiple causes in the Denver community.
Despite Manning’s high profile in the sports world, Thompson prefers to keep a low profile and is rarely seen with her husband in public. However, she has played an essential role in Manning’s life and career. She is known for being a supportive wife and mother.
Career
Ashley Manning is a successful real estate developer who owns a company promoting downtown residential property development. She has built several spec homes in Tennessee. She plans to expand her business to Indianapolis, where Peyton played for the Colts for 14 seasons.
She is also a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team, which she joined in 2012 as part of a new ownership group. She said it was important that the Grizzlies remained in Tennessee and continued positively impacting the community.
Ashley is also involved in charitable work with her husband, who founded the PeyBack Foundation in 1999. The foundation provides opportunities for young men and women, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ashley helps Peyton run the foundation and supports various causes, such as education, health, and sports. She is also a member of the Ascensus Society, a prestigious group of philanthropists who have significantly contributed to society.
She prefers to stay out of the spotlight and let Peyton shine, but she is always his biggest supporter and cheerleader. She and Peyton have been married since 2001 and have two children, twins Marshall and Mosley, born in 2011.
Ashley and her family live in Denver, Colorado. Peyton retired from the NFL in 2016 after winning his second Super Bowl with the Broncos.
How Ashley Manning met her husband, Peyton Manning
Ashley Manning met her husband, Peyton Manning, 1993 as a college student. She was introduced to him by her parents’ next-door neighbor, who had played football at the University of Tennessee and hosted Peyton on a recruiting trip.
According to “Manning: A Father, His Sons and a Football Legacy” by Peyton Manning, Ashley wasn’t initially impressed by him because he wore a pastel shirt.
However, recounting how Ashley impressed him, Peyton said, “With all her qualities, I think what pleased me most about Ashley, though, was that she liked me for who I was, not what I was.”
Ashley and Peyton started dating long-distance, separated by over 363.4 miles.
Ashley pursued her studies at the University of Virginia, while Peyton honed his skills and knowledge at the University of Tennessee.
To paint a picture of their bond’s strength, it would take 5 hours and 24 minutes by road for either Ashley or Peyton to see each other.
Despite the challenges posed by the physical distance, their connection deepened, leading them to tie the knot in 2001. Their love blossomed into a family with the arrival of their two children, Marshall and Mosley.
Ashley has supported Peyton’s football career and charitable endeavors. She is also a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, an NBA team based in her hometown.
Children
Ashley Manning and her husband, former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, have two fraternal twins: a son, Marshall Williams Manning, and a daughter, Mosley Thompson Manning. The children were born in March 2011 and are now 12 years old.
The Manning family resides in Denver, Colorado, and keeps their children mainly out of the public spotlight. However, Peyton has shared over the years that the twins are developing vital interests in sports.
In an engaging appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Peyton Manning shared insights into his role as a coach for their flag football and softball teams, highlighting his involvement in nurturing their growing athletic interests. Despite his legendary status, he humorously admitted he wasn’t the top idol in his household. Manning also joked that his son is a fan of Patrick Mahomes and wears his jersey, while his daughter prefers Stefon Diggs and wears his jersey.
While maintaining their privacy, the twins have appeared at major events in their father’s career, including his retirement press conference and the 2016 AFC Championship game victory.
Though not often seen publically, Marshall and Mosley are, by all accounts, thriving and enjoying sports just as their dad did.