The Wirtz family is renowned for owning the Wirtz Corporation, which serves as the parent company for the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks. Despite their prominent standing and considerable wealth, the Wirtz family is known for maintaining a private lifestyle.
One notable public figure within the Wirtz family was William Rockwell Wirtz, also known as Rocky Wirtz, who served as the fifth chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks. Tragically, he passed away on July 25, 2023, following a brief illness.
In this post, I will focus on Marilyn Wirtz, the wife of Rocky Wirtz. Like other members of the Wirtz family, Marilyn also leads a private life and has not issued any public statement regarding her husband’s death. Instead, the statement regarding Rocky’s passing from the family came from his son, Danny Wirtz, who has been serving as the chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks since December 16, 2020.
Skip to:
Marilyn Wirtz Early Life
Marilyn Wirtz, formerly known as Marilyn Queen, was born in June 1954. She is 69 years old and resides in her matrimonial home in Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Marilyn’s private nature has made gathering detailed information about her early life, siblings, and parents scarce. The majority of what is publicly known about her revolves around her marriage to the late American businessman, Rocky Wirtz, which took place in 2003. As a result, her personal life has remained largely out of the public eye.
She is related to Jennifer Joan Bisciotti as an aunt.
Marilyn Wirtz Career
The specifics of Marilyn’s full-time or part-time job remain unknown. However, during her husband’s lifetime, she frequently accompanied him to game shows and charity events, where they made generous donations to various projects. One notable organization they supported was the Gift of Adoption Fund, a national organization with offices in Chicago dedicated to helping children find permanent and loving homes through adoption.
They also generously funded the renovation of Northwestern University’s Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, a facility named in honor of Rocky Wirtz’s grandmother, Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz.
Read also: Meet Brad Zibung, The Real Estate Mogul Married to ESPN’s Sarah Spain
Marilyn Wirtz Children
Marilyn’s marriage to Rocky Wirtz resulted in the birth of their only child, Elizabeth Queen Wirtz, in March 1983. Elizabeth now holds a prominent role as the head of Chicago Blackhawks Charities, leading a 10-member panel that supports the Chicago Blackhawks board of directors in various areas, including promotion, fundraising, and event organization. She is happily married to Joe Barley.
Following Marilyn Queen’s marriage to Rocky Wirtz in 2003, she lovingly adopted his children from his previous marriage to Kathleen Wirtz. The children she adopted are Kendall Wirtz, Hillary Wirtz, and Daniel Wirtz.
Marilyn Wirtz Husband
Rocky Wirtz was a prominent American businessman renowned throughout Chicago and the United States as the chairman of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks. Born on October 5, 1952, to Bill Wirtz and Alice Wirtz, he left behind a lasting legacy when he passed away on July 25, 2023. His four children, six grandchildren survive him, and his siblings: Peter Wirtz, Karey Wirtz, Gail Wirtz, and Alyson Wirtz.
Rocky Wirtz’s leadership was instrumental in reviving the success of the Chicago Blackhawks. He fostered strong connections with the club’s fans and elevated the team’s performance on the ice, reigniting the love affair between Chicago fans and their hockey team. Under his guidance, the Blackhawks achieved remarkable success, winning Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Beyond his involvement with the Blackhawks, Rocky also managed various entities under the Wirtz Corporation, including commercial and residential real estate, the wine and spirits distributor Breakthru Beverage Group, an insurance company, and banks in both Illinois and Florida.
Additionally, Rocky held co-ownership of the United Center, the home arena of the Blackhawks, alongside Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago Bulls. Together, they served as co-chairs of the arena’s Executive Committee.
During his passing at NorthShore Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL, Rocky was surrounded by his beloved children and his devoted wife, Marilyn, as they shared their final moments.
