Jerry Jones has built himself a huge fortune of $16.1 billion, thanks largely to the Dallas Cowboys, a team he bought for $140 million in 1989.
Throughout his lucrative career, there has been one special person he has shared his success with, his wife of over 60 years, Eugenia 'Gene' Jones.
The 82-year-old, who's featured in the Netflix docuseries America's Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys, said in 2017 that he "wouldn't change a day" of his six-decade marriage, adding to WFAA-TV that it has "been great."
Discover more about Jerry Jones' wife Gene, and their relationship below.
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Gene was Miss Arkansas USA 1960, and Arkansas Poultry Princess
Beauty pageant queen
Gene hails from Danville, Arkansas, and is the daughter of a small-town banker, according to Texas Monthly.
The 81-year-old enjoyed a stint in the spotlight before she married her husband after getting involved in beauty pageants. She was named Miss Arkansas USA in 1960, and onetime Arkansas Poultry Princess.
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Jerry and Gene tied the knot at the end of their sophomore year in 1963
Relationship
Jerry and Gene met while they were students at the University of Arkansas. On their first date, they went to the county fair, where Jerry tried to impress Gene by winning her a teddy bear. Sadly, he was unable to, so he snuck behind one of the booths and bought her one instead.
"He came right back with the biggest teddy bear at the carnival and wearing a bigger smile on his face," she told WFAA-TV. "It was the beginning of our relationship. We married three years later."
Jerry and Gene tied the knot at the end of their sophomore year in 1963.
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Jerry and Gene's 3 kids Jerry Jones Jr, (L), Charlotte Jones Anderson (second R), and Stephen Jones (R)
Kids
Jerry and Gene are parents to three children: John Stephen, 61, Charlotte, 59, and Jerry Jones Jr., 55.
All three are co-owners of the Dallas Cowboys and work within the organization. Stephen is the chief operating officer, Charlotte is the chief brand officer, and Jerry Jr. is the chief sales and marketing officer, according to their Dallas Cowboys bios.
The long-time couple are also grandparents to 10 grandkids: Haley, Shy Jr., and Paxton, who Charlotte shares with her ex-husband, Shy Anderson. Stephen and his wife, Karen, are parents to Caroline, Jordan, Jessica, and John Stephen Jr. While Jerry Jr. has three children, Mary and James, with his wife, Lori Lemon, and daughter Juliette with his ex-girlfriend, actress Janine Turner.
Jerry and Gene are great-grandparents too, as Charlotte's son, Shy Jr., announced the arrival of his daughter in March 2025. He and his wife even named their baby girl after her great-grandmother, Parker Elouise Eugenia.
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Gene is very supportive of her husband's career
Supportive wife
Gene was 100% behind her husband's decision to buy the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million, reportedly the most that had ever been paid for an NFL franchise, despite the potential risky investment.
"I knew it had been a dream of his," she told WFAA-TV in September 2017. "It was such a big challenge to do this. I knew Jerry wanted to be involved in sports. He'd loved being an Arkansas Razorback, and it was such an exciting time in our life — the time when we were at the University of Arkansas — and he loved the game of football. When he found out that the Dallas Cowboys were available for him to be a part of, he was just thrilled beyond explanation."
"It was a great sacrifice," she continued. "It's kind of like winning that teddy bear. He wants something, and he doesn't take no for an answer."
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Gene inducted Jerry into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2017
Hall of Fame
Jerry was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in August 2017 by Gene, making the moment even more memorable.
"It was more amazing than I expected," Gene told WFAA-TV in September 2017. "None of us have ever experienced something more exciting."
During his speech, Jerry made a point of praising Gene, telling the crowd: "Any recognition that I may have received throughout our years in the NFL has been the result of a group effort involving all of my family.
"Gene is the backbone of our family, and her influence guides and inspires all of us. She is my closest advisor, my best friend, and it is only fitting that she presents me, and represents our entire family, at this very special time."