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Since Pat Tillman's death in 2004, his then-wife, Marie Tillman, has dedicated her life to carrying on his legacy. Pat Tillman died while serving in Afghanistan with the United States Army. The former Arizona Cardinals safety ended his NFL career before the 2002 season following the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Marie worked for ESPN as a Director of Talent from 2006 until 2009, according to her LinkedIn profile. Aside from her work with the Pat Tillman Foundation, she is also an entrepreneur and started her clothing company, "Mac and Mia," in 2014.
The children's clothing company transitioned into a children's personal styling platform in 2022 that allows professionals to handpick clothes for kids based on size and age.
Marie was a partial owner of the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. After two years, she sold her stake in the team in 2023.
Pat and Marie Tillman were high school sweethearts who met while attending Leland High School in San Jose, California. Marie was a cheerleader, while Pat played on the school's baseball and football teams.
They continued their relationship through college, as Pat Tillman attended Arizona State and Marie went to the University of California at Santa Barbara. The couple married in 2002 before Pat Tillman enlisted in the United States Army.
After his death, the Pat Tillman Foundation was created in his honor by Marie and other family members.
The foundation funds the educational endeavors of veterans and their spouses. She was the CEO of the Pat Tillman Foundation up until 2012. She is now a board chair for the non-profit.
Marie Tillman shared love story and grief in her published book in 2012
After Pat Tillman died in 2004, his widow, Marie Tillman struggled to regain any normalcy in her life. In 2012, she became a published author when her book "The Letter: My Journey through Love, loss and Life" was released.
The book details a love letter that Pat Tillman wrote before his death and left for his wife if anything should ever happen to him.
Marie Tillman described their love story, which began while they were teenagers, as well as how she handled herself after his death. After many years of heartbreak and searching for a new purpose, she found love again.
In 2020, Marie married Joseph Shenton and the couple have two children together: Mac and Francesca. The family lives in Chicago with their two children and Shenton's three older children as well.
She continues to share her late husband's mission of giving back and working with veterans and those serving in the United States military.
