When people look at billionaire sports mogul Terry Pegula—owner of the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres—they usually associate his empire with his long-time marriage to Kim Pegula. Long before the multibillion-dollar natural gas fortunes, the sports franchises, and the public spotlight, Terry shared a completely different life with his first wife, Anne Shirley. While public records and mainstream sports profiles heavily focus on his current family, the early chapters of Terry's adult life were built alongside Anne during a much quieter era.
Terry Pegula's first wife was Anne Shirley, a woman who knew the future billionaire decades before he acquired his massive wealth. Though Terry and Anne eventually divorced, their history together formed the foundational years of his adulthood, predating his massive energy industry success. Understanding this period offers a clearer picture of the man behind one of North America's most prominent sports portfolios.
The Early Years and Marriage to Anne Shirley
Terry Pegula married Anne Shirley long before he became a prominent billionaire energy tycoon. Born in Buffalo in 1955, Anne was a few years younger than Terry. Reports indicate the two crossed paths during their younger years, with connections pointing to their time studying at Penn State University, where Terry earned a degree in natural gas engineering.
They tied the knot in the late 1970s, entering marriage during a period when Terry was just beginning to navigate his professional career. Unlike the high-profile lifestyle associated with modern sports ownership, their early years together involved ordinary working-class struggles and foundational career moves. Terry hadn't yet struck the immense wealth that would later define his business ventures, meaning Anne experienced the ground-floor hustle of his early professional endeavors firsthand.
Family and Children from the First Marriage
During their marriage, Terry and Anne welcomed two children together: a son named Michael and a daughter named Laura. Unlike their half-siblings Jessica, Kelly, and Matthew—who grew up under the intense spotlight of their father's sports empire and Jessica's professional tennis career—Michael and Laura remained largely outside the public eye.
The family dynamic shifted as Terry's career in natural gas took off. In 1983, he founded East Resources with just a small stake and a loan, a venture that eventually ballooned into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise before its massive sale to Royal Dutch Shell in 2010. As the wealth accumulated, personal pressures and professional demands mounted, leading Terry and Anne to ultimately part ways amicably through a divorce.
Life After the Divorce and Terry's Transition
Following the dissolution of his marriage to Anne, Terry's life entered a transitional phase. In 1991, while dining at a restaurant in Allegany, New York, he met Kim Kerr, who was working and building her own path. Terry eventually offered her a position at East Resources, sparking a personal and professional partnership that led to their marriage in 1993.
Kim became an integral co-owner of the Pegula Sports and Entertainment empire, helping steer the Buffalo Bills through the tragic passing of owner Ralph Wilson and managing day-to-day operations across hockey and football properties. Meanwhile, Anne Shirley lived a private life away from the media glare until her passing in 2015. Despite the divorce, her imprint remained embedded in the history of the Pegula family through their adult children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Terry Pegula's first wife?
Terry Pegula's first wife was Anne Shirley, a Buffalo native born in 1955 who married Terry during his early adult years before he achieved billionaire status.
How many children did Terry and Anne have?
They shared two children together, Michael and Laura Pegula, who have generally maintained private lives away from professional sports ownership spotlight.
When did Terry Pegula and Anne Shirley divorce?
The couple divorced after years of marriage, well before Terry met his second wife, Kim Pegula, in 1991.
What happened to Anne Shirley?
Anne Shirley lived a private life after her separation from Terry and passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy tied to the early roots of the Pegula family.
