Miah Harbaugh: Jim Harbaugh's first wife and their divorce story
Many studies have revealed that a lot of celebrity marriages end in divorce. Miah Harbaugh’s union with American professional football coach Jim Harbaugh is a case in point. While the duo separated over a decade ago, many are curious to unravel why their marriage failed despite being ranked among the NFL’s power couples when they were together.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Miah Harbaugh was Jim Harbaugh’s first wife, and they were married for about a decade before divorcing in 2006.
- The couple had three children together and maintained a relatively private family life during his early coaching career.
- Their divorce drew attention mainly due to Jim Harbaugh’s rising profile, though the reasons behind it were kept largely private.
Miah Harbaugh’s profile summary
Full name | Miah Lee Burke Harbaugh |
Famous as | Miah Harbaugh |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | 25 August 1966 |
Age | 60 years (2026) |
Zodiac sign | Virgo |
Birthplace | New Jersey, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Mixed |
Religion | Christianity |
Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Hair colour | Blonde |
Eye colour | Brown |
Sexuality | Straight |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-spouse | Jim Harbaugh |
Children | 3 |
Famous for | Being Jim Harbaugh’s first wife |
Who is Miah Harbaugh?
Miah Harbaugh is the former wife of American football coach Jim Harbaugh. She was married to him for about a decade, and they have three children together. During their marriage, she largely maintained a private life away from public attention despite her husband’s coaching career in college and professional football.
Miah Harbaugh's background
Jim Harbaugh’s ex-wife, Miah (60 years as of 2026), was born on 25 August 1966 in New Jersey. Her early years mirrored a typical suburban life in New Jersey until she relocated to Orlando.
Source: Original
Regarding her education, Miah attended the University of Michigan, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies. Generally, little is known about Burke before her marriage to Jim since she is a relatively private person.
How did Miah and Jim Harbaugh meet?
The duo crossed paths in the 1990s. At that time, Jim was just beginning to make a name for himself as an NFL player.
On the other hand, Miah was balancing school and working as a waitress. They bonded over their shared interests and began dating shortly after their first meeting.
Miah Harbaugh’s wedding
The pair tied the knot in February 1996 after dating for about five years. Their wedding took place at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.
Source: Getty Images
Miah then moved into Jim’s house in the Eagle Creek area of Indianapolis. Throughout their marriage, the football coach admitted that his first wife, Miah Harbaugh, was his greatest cheerleader. He acknowledges her input in the success of his early sports career.
How many kids do Jim and Miah Harbaugh have?
Jim and his first wife, Miah, share three kids: sons James and Jay and a daughter named Grace.
Jay Patrick
An alumnus of Oregon State University, Jay is the pair’s eldest child. The 36-year-old football coach currently serves as the special teams coordinator for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.
In October 2018, Patrick welcomed his first child. He shared the good news with his Instagram followers via a post that read:
The best day of my life.
James Harbaugh
The family’s middle child is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. He purportedly came out as gay to his dad during the 2016 presidential election. The former NFL star took the news positively.
Grace Harbaugh
Grace (aged 26 as of 2026) is a water polo player. She completed her master's at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, in 2024. She currently works in Player Relations and Special Programs at the PGA TOUR.
Source: UGC
Miah and Jim Harbaugh’s divorce
A decade after their marriage, the duo’s relationship began to develop some stress cracks. They finalised their divorce in 2006.
Although the reason behind their split remains a mystery, some reports claim that the coach’s busy coaching schedule contributed to their relationship woes.
What happened to Jim Harbaugh’s family?
Following the divorce, Jim Harbaugh’s kids moved in with their mother to a home in Coronado, California. The celebrity ex-wife allegedly received significant wealth in the divorce settlement.
On the other hand, the American football coach gave love another chance by marrying his second wife, Sarah Feuerborn Harbaugh, in 2008. They have two daughters, Katherine and Addison, and two sons, John and Jack.
FAQs
Jim’s prominence spills over to those associated with him. Below are some frequently asked questions about him and his ex-spouse, Miah:
How many wives has Jim Harbaugh had?
He was first married to Miah Harbaugh, and that marriage lasted from 1996 to 2006. After their divorce, he later married Sarah Feuerborn Harbaugh in 2008, and they are still together.
Where is Miah Harbaugh now?
The New Jersey native maintains a private lifestyle away from the spotlight. It is, therefore, difficult to establish what she has been up to since divorcing the former NFL player.
Is Jim Harbaugh married?
The Los Angeles Chargers head coach is off the market. He has been married to his second wife, Sarah Feuerborn Harbaugh, for over a decade.
Source: Getty Images
How did Jim Harbaugh meet his current wife?
Sarah met her husband in the parking lot of a PF Changs in Las Vegas shortly after he finalised his divorce from his ex-wife, Miah.
Who are Jim Harbaugh’s children?
The Ohio native has seven children: three from his first marriage and four from his second one. Jay, James, and Grace are the children of Miah Harbaugh, while Jack, John, Addison, and Katherine are Sarah’s children.
Who is Jim Harbaugh's brother?
John Harbaugh is Jim Harbaugh’s brother. He is also a well-known football coach. He has built a long coaching career as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. He also faced Jim in the 2013 Super Bowl. John is married to Ingrid Harbaugh, and the couple has one child.
Where is the Harbaugh family from?
The Harbaugh family is from the Midwestern United States. Jim Harbaugh was born in Toledo, Ohio, and John Harbaugh was born in Peru, Indiana.
What illness does Jim Harbaugh have?
Jim Harbaugh has atrial flutter, a type of irregular heartbeat. He left a 2024 game because of it. He later had a cardiac ablation procedure and also underwent hip replacement surgery in the offseason.
Miah Harbaugh remains an important part of Jim Harbaugh’s personal history, not just as his former spouse but as the mother of his three children. Although their marriage ended years ago, they have continued to co-parent on respectful terms. Miah largely stays out of the public spotlight.
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Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in digital publishing. She writes across lifestyle, entertainment, sports, education, and finance, with work featured on MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, Industry Biz, and Briefly.co.za. She previously worked as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. She holds a BA in Urban and Regional Planning and is pursuing an MA in Environmental Law. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.
