Ashley Holt Kimbrel: The Woman Behind Baseball Star Craig Kimbrel –

Ashley Holt Kimbrel is best known as the wife of professional baseball pitcher Craig Kimbrel, a nine-time MLB All-Star and one of the most recognizable relief pitchers of his generation. While Craig has spent years competing at the highest level of Major League Baseball, Ashley has maintained a much more private lifestyle, appearing publicly mainly through family moments, charitable activities, and occasional baseball-related events.
Their relationship began long before Craig became a household name among baseball fans. The two met while attending Wallace State Community College in Alabama, where Craig played baseball and Ashley was a cheerleader. Their college connection eventually developed into a lasting relationship, and they married in December 2012.
Beyond being the wife of a professional athlete, Ashley has been part of a family story that includes charitable fundraising, the challenges of raising children during a demanding baseball career, and their daughter’s early medical journey. Her life offers a look at the personal side of a professional baseball family, away from the statistics, stadiums, and headlines.
Quick Bio of Ashley Holt Kimbrel
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashley Holt Kimbrel |
| Maiden Name | Ashley Holt |
| Known For | Wife of MLB pitcher Craig Kimbrel |
| Husband | Craig Kimbrel |
| Marriage Year | December 2012 |
| Education / College Connection | Wallace State Community College |
| College Activity | Former cheerleader |
| Children | Two |
| Daughter | Lydia Joy Kimbrel |
| Son | His name and personal details are not widely documented in major sports sources |
| Charity Involvement | Curing Kids Cancer |
| Birth Date | August 17, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years old |
| Profession | Former college cheerleader |
| Nationality | Not independently established through detailed biographical sources |
| Public Profile | Relatively private |
Note: The college connection, cheerleading background, and marriage details were reported by Wallace State Community College. Craig Kimbrel’s official MLB biography confirms that he and Ashley have a daughter and a son.
Who Is Ashley Holt Kimbrel?
Ashley Holt Kimbrel is the wife of American professional baseball pitcher Craig Kimbrel. Although her name is frequently searched by fans interested in the athlete’s personal life, she has not pursued a public career in entertainment or sports media. Most of the available information about her comes from reports about Craig’s career, their marriage, and their family.
Ashley became connected to the baseball world through her relationship with Craig, but their story started before he reached the major leagues. They met while attending Wallace State Community College, where Craig was developing his baseball skills and Ashley participated in the college cheerleading program.
Unlike many people connected to professional athletes, Ashley has generally stayed away from regular media appearances. She has occasionally attended public baseball events and participated in charitable activities with her husband, but she has not made her private life a constant subject of public attention.
Her public story is therefore closely connected to the family she shares with Craig. Their marriage, the birth of their children, their involvement in charity work, and their daughter’s medical challenges are among the most clearly documented parts of her life.
Ashley Holt’s Early Life and College Background
Very little verified information is available about Ashley Holt’s childhood, parents, birthplace, or early education. She has not given widely circulated interviews about her upbringing, and established sports publications have focused primarily on her relationship with Craig rather than her personal background.
One of the strongest documented details about her early adult life comes from Wallace State Community College. In a January 2013 article about Craig Kimbrel, the college described Ashley as a former Wallace State cheerleader and explained that the couple met while attending the institution in Hanceville, Alabama.
This connection is an important part of their story because it shows that their relationship began during Craig’s college baseball years. At that stage, he was still working toward a professional career rather than enjoying the recognition and financial rewards associated with Major League Baseball.
Ashley was therefore part of Craig’s life before his rise to national attention. Their relationship developed during a period when he was balancing college athletics, training, and the ambition to reach professional baseball. The couple’s eventual marriage followed several years of knowing each other.
How Ashley Holt Met Craig Kimbrel
Ashley and Craig met at Wallace State Community College in Alabama. Craig was a member of the college baseball program, while Ashley was involved in cheerleading. Their shared college environment provided the starting point for a relationship that continued as Craig moved toward professional baseball.
Their connection began before Craig became one of the sport’s most recognizable closers. He played at Wallace State during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, earning attention for his pitching performances before the Atlanta Braves selected him in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft.
A January 2013 article published by Wallace State reported that Craig had married Ashley the previous month. In the interview, he spoke positively about their college connection and explained that meeting her was one of the ways the institution had made a lasting impact on his life.
The story is particularly interesting because it places Ashley in Craig’s life before the pressures of professional baseball became part of their daily routine. Their relationship was not created through celebrity events or the publicity surrounding a successful athlete. It began in college, when both were pursuing their own interests and experiences.
Ashley Holt and Craig Kimbrel’s Marriage
Ashley Holt and Craig Kimbrel married in December 2012. By then, Craig had already established himself as an important pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and was becoming one of the most effective closers in Major League Baseball.
Their wedding marked an important personal milestone during a period of rapid professional growth for Craig. He had made his MLB debut in 2010 and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2011. As his baseball career continued to develop, the couple began building their life together as a married family.
Interestingly, Craig’s proposal came during a difficult baseball moment. According to an MLB profile published in September 2016, he had planned to propose to Ashley during a series against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. On September 9, he blew a save and ended a streak of 25 consecutive successful saves, but he still went ahead with his proposal.
The couple married a few months later. The story offers a memorable detail about their relationship because it connects an important personal decision with an ordinary moment in the unpredictable life of a professional athlete. Baseball results can change from one game to another, but Craig’s plans for his future with Ashley remained unchanged.
Who Is Craig Kimbrel?
Craig Michael Kimbrel is an American professional baseball pitcher known for his powerful fastball, high strikeout rate, and distinctive pre-pitch stance. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, on May 28, 1988, he developed his baseball skills through high school and college before entering the professional game.
He attended Lee High School and later played at Wallace State Community College. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft, and he made his major league debut on May 7, 2010.
Craig quickly established himself as one of baseball’s most effective relief pitchers. His performance during the 2011 season earned him the National League Rookie of the Year Award. He also became widely recognized for his unusual stance before delivering a pitch, a routine that fans and commentators often associated with his identity as a closer.
Over the years, Craig played for several MLB organizations, including the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles. His career also included a World Series championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2018.
His professional achievements explain why fans are interested in Ashley’s life. Yet their relationship began before many of those accomplishments, making her part of his personal journey from a college athlete to an established major league pitcher.
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s Life as a Baseball Wife
Being married to a professional baseball player can involve a lifestyle very different from that of many other families. MLB seasons require extensive travel, regular training, long periods away from home, and the pressure of performing in front of large audiences. For the families of players, the baseball calendar can influence everyday routines and family plans.
Craig’s career has taken him through several teams and different baseball cities. His professional journey included years with Atlanta, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and other organizations. Such changes can create adjustments for a player’s family, although Ashley has not publicly described every detail of how the family handled those transitions.
Unlike Craig, Ashley has not maintained a professional public profile based on sports. She has appeared at selected baseball events and family celebrations, but she has generally kept her personal activities outside the regular sports news cycle.
Her role in the family is most visible through moments when Craig has discussed the importance of home and parenthood. In interviews, he has explained that becoming a father changed his priorities and strengthened his focus on his family’s needs.
Ashley and Craig Kimbrel’s Children
Ashley and Craig Kimbrel have two children: a daughter and a son. Their daughter, Lydia Joy Kimbrel, became known to baseball audiences in 2018 when Craig spoke publicly about her heart condition and the medical treatment she required during infancy.
Craig’s official MLB biography confirms that he and Ashley have both a daughter and a son. However, the couple has kept much of their children’s personal information away from public attention. Details such as their son’s exact birth date, education, and everyday activities have not been widely documented by major sports publications.
Lydia Joy has appeared in several public family photographs, including baseball celebrations and special events. One particularly memorable moment came after the Boston Red Sox won the 2018 World Series, when Craig celebrated on the field while holding his young daughter.
The family has generally maintained a careful balance between sharing meaningful public moments and protecting their children’s privacy. Their approach allows fans to understand some important parts of their family story without making every aspect of the children’s lives public.
Lydia Joy Kimbrel’s Heart Condition and the Family’s Difficult Journey
One of the most emotional chapters in Ashley and Craig’s family story began before their daughter Lydia Joy was born. In January 2018, Craig revealed that Lydia had been born with heart defects. He explained that he and Ashley had learned about the condition during pregnancy, allowing the family and medical team to prepare for the challenges ahead.
Lydia was born on November 3, 2017. According to MLB reporting, she underwent her first surgery when she was only four days old. The family faced further medical treatment during the following months, creating a difficult period while Craig was also preparing for the baseball season.
In March 2018, Craig temporarily stepped away from Boston Red Sox spring training to spend time with Ashley and Lydia at Boston Children’s Hospital. After Lydia underwent another heart surgery, he spoke about the experience as one of the hardest periods the family had faced. He also expressed gratitude for the doctors and medical staff who cared for his daughter.
The situation affected the family’s priorities. Craig explained that his family came before baseball and that he wanted to be present for his daughter during the treatment process. The Red Sox supported his decision, and teammates showed their encouragement through shirts bearing the message “#LydiaStrong.”
Lydia’s recovery became a source of hope for the family. During the 2018 World Series celebrations, she was able to join her father on the field, creating a memorable family moment after a challenging year. In 2020, Craig again left spring training to be with his daughter for another scheduled medical procedure, according to an Associated Press report carried by FOX Sports.
The family has not publicly disclosed every medical detail of Lydia’s condition. Their experience nevertheless brought attention to the emotional and practical challenges families can face when a child needs specialized medical care.
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s Involvement in Charity Work
Ashley and Craig have also been involved in charitable work, particularly efforts supporting children with cancer. One of the organizations they supported was Curing Kids Cancer, a nonprofit created by Clay and Grainne Owen after the loss of their young son, Killian, to leukemia.
Craig became involved with the organization after learning about the family’s experience and the need for more funding for pediatric cancer research. His participation included financial donations connected to his baseball performance, hospital visits, and fundraising activities.
Ashley joined him in supporting the cause. In November 2013, MLB reported that the couple helped raise $65,000 through a fundraising event called Cowboy Boots and Cocktails in Atlanta. The event demonstrated that their involvement went beyond simply attaching their names to a charitable organization.
The Kimbrels also visited hospitals and met children and families receiving treatment. According to the MLB report, representatives of Curing Kids Cancer described both Craig and Ashley as genuinely interested in the organization’s work and the children it supported.
Their involvement is an important part of Ashley’s public story. Although she has not built a separate public career around philanthropy, her participation in the fundraising effort shows how she and Craig used their visibility and resources to support families dealing with serious childhood illnesses.
Ashley’s Memorable Role in Craig Kimbrel’s Baseball Entrance Music
Ashley occasionally appears in baseball stories through small but memorable moments. One example came during Women’s Day at Dodger Stadium on August 21, 2022, when the wives and significant others of Dodgers players were invited to select their partners’ entrance music.
Ashley chose “Let It Go,” the popular song from Disney’s Frozen, for Craig. The selection was a noticeable change from the more traditional rock music he had previously used when entering games.
The choice attracted attention because fans began singing along as Craig walked toward the mound. MLB later reported that the song had become part of his entrance routine after the event. It also coincided with a stretch of improved pitching performances, although the music itself was not responsible for his performance on the field.
The moment offered a lighthearted glimpse into the couple’s relationship. Ashley had an opportunity to influence a small part of Craig’s baseball routine, and her selection became a talking point among Dodgers fans.
It also showed a different side of their family life. While much of the public coverage of the Kimbrels has focused on serious subjects such as Lydia’s health and charitable work, this episode provided a fun example of Ashley’s involvement in her husband’s baseball world.
What Does Ashley Holt Kimbrel Do for a Living?
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s current professional occupation has not been reliably documented in established public sources. Her college connection and former role as a cheerleader at Wallace State are known, but there is no confirmed public record establishing a later employer, business, or professional career.
Some online biography websites describe her primarily through her role as a wife and mother. Others suggest possible occupations without providing verifiable evidence. Such claims should be treated cautiously because a person’s limited public profile does not establish their complete employment history.
It is also important to distinguish between charitable participation and professional employment. Ashley’s involvement in fundraising for Curing Kids Cancer is documented, but it does not automatically mean that she works for the organization or holds an official leadership position there.
For now, the most accurate answer is that her current occupation remains private or undocumented. Her public profile is centered on her family, marriage, and selected charitable activities rather than a widely reported professional career.
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s Age, Birthday, and Personal Background
Many readers search for Ashley’s age, birthday, birthplace, and family background. However, these details are not consistently established in reliable public sources. Unlike Craig, whose professional baseball biography includes his birth date and career history, Ashley has not had a comparable public biography.
Her parents’ names, childhood hometown, siblings, and early family experiences have also not been widely reported by established publications. The strongest documented information about her early adult life remains her connection to Wallace State Community College and her relationship with Craig.
This lack of detail should not be filled with assumptions. Several celebrity biography websites publish exact ages or birth dates without providing an original source. Repeating those figures would create the impression that her personal information is confirmed when it is not.
Ashley has maintained a relatively private public identity, and there is no reason to treat that privacy as a gap that must be filled with speculation. A factual biography can still explain her family story and public contributions without inventing personal details.
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s Net Worth and Lifestyle
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s individual net worth has not been independently verified. Craig’s career as a professional baseball pitcher has included major league contracts and years of high-level competition, but his earnings should not automatically be presented as Ashley’s personal wealth.
Online estimates about celebrity spouses often combine a partner’s career earnings with assumptions about shared property, investments, and personal assets. Without financial disclosures or reliable reporting, those figures are not dependable.
The Kimbrel family has appeared at major baseball events, charity fundraisers, and public celebrations. These appearances show their connection to professional sports and charitable activities, but they do not provide a complete picture of their private lifestyle or financial arrangements.
For that reason, no specific net-worth figure should be assigned to Ashley. Her personal assets, independent income, and financial arrangements have not been publicly documented in a reliable way.
Conclusion
Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s story is closely connected to her long-term relationship with baseball star Craig Kimbrel, but it also includes experiences that go beyond the sport. The couple met at Wallace State Community College, where Craig played baseball and Ashley was a cheerleader, and they married in December 2012.
Together, they have built a family with two children. Their daughter Lydia Joy’s early heart condition brought a difficult period of medical treatment and uncertainty, while Craig’s public comments revealed how strongly family priorities shaped his decisions during that time. Ashley and Craig also supported Curing Kids Cancer, helping raise funds for pediatric cancer research and meeting families affected by the disease.
Although Ashley has remained outside the regular media spotlight, her documented involvement in family life, charitable fundraising, and occasional baseball events offers a meaningful picture of her public story. She is not simply a name connected to a successful athlete; she is part of the personal history behind Craig Kimbrel’s life beyond the baseball field.
FAQ’s
Who is Ashley Holt Kimbrel?
Ashley Holt Kimbrel is the wife of professional baseball pitcher Craig Kimbrel. She is known for her connection to his baseball career, their family, and their charitable activities.
When did Ashley Holt marry Craig Kimbrel?
Ashley and Craig married in December 2012. They first met while attending Wallace State Community College in Alabama.
How did Ashley Holt and Craig Kimbrel meet?
They met at Wallace State Community College, where Craig played baseball and Ashley was a cheerleader.
How many children do Ashley and Craig Kimbrel have?
They have two children: a daughter named Lydia Joy and a son. The couple has kept much of their children’s personal information private.
Who is Lydia Joy Kimbrel?
Lydia Joy is Ashley and Craig’s daughter, born on November 3, 2017. She was born with heart defects and required surgery during infancy.
What happened to Craig Kimbrel’s daughter?
Lydia Joy was born with a heart condition that required several medical procedures. Craig publicly discussed her early surgeries and temporarily stepped away from spring training in 2018 and again in 2020 to be with his daughter.
What charity did Ashley and Craig Kimbrel support?
They supported Curing Kids Cancer, an organization that funds pediatric cancer research and treatment. In 2013, they helped raise $65,000 at an Atlanta fundraising event.
What did Ashley choose as Craig Kimbrel’s walk-up song?
During Women’s Day at Dodger Stadium in August 2022, Ashley selected “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen as Craig’s entrance music.
What does Ashley Holt Kimbrel do for a living?
Her current occupation has not been publicly confirmed. She was a former cheerleader at Wallace State Community College.
What is Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s age?
Her exact birth date and age have not been reliably confirmed through established public sources.
What is Ashley Holt Kimbrel’s net worth?
Her individual net worth is not publicly verified. Estimates found on celebrity biography websites should be treated as speculation.
Is Ashley Holt Kimbrel active in public life?
She has appeared at selected baseball events and charity activities with Craig, but she generally maintains a private lifestyle and does not have a widely documented public career.



