Ryne Sandberg, the Hall of Fame second baseman who spent nearly his entire 16-season career with the Chicago Cubs, has died at the age of 65. The team announced his passing on Monday, July 28.
A 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, Sandberg helped redefine the second base position in the 1980s, setting a new standard for power-hitting middle infielders.
He revealed his metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2024. By May, Sandberg announced he was cancer-free, but the disease came back later that year and spread to other organs. He died at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Following his death, his family posted a heartfelt statement on Instagram:
“To Ryne’s fans, friends, and baseball family – it is with heavy hearts we announce that Ryne passed away tonight in the comfort of his home,” the statement read.
“Ryne was surrounded by his loving wife, Margaret, their children, and grandchildren. We thank you for all of the kind words, support, and love during this difficult time. Ryne will forever be in our hearts. – Ryne’s Family.”
Here’s what we know about his family and married life.
Who Is His Wife, Margaret?
Sandberg married Margaret Koehnemann on August 19, 1995. At the time, she was a mother of three from a previous marriage—B.R., Adriane, and Steven.
Ryne was still going through his divorce from his first wife, Cindy, when he became engaged to Margaret, who was described as a longtime neighborhood friend. Their children—her three and his two, Justin and Lindsey—already knew each other well.
Just seven weeks after their engagement, Ryne and Margaret tied the knot. They later settled in suburban Phoenix with their kids.
They Founded a Charity Together
Ryne and Margaret Sandberg co-founded Ryno Kid Care, a non-profit organization focused on supporting children facing serious medical conditions.
The charity offered a range of services—from providing mentors and home-cooked meals to organizing visits from massage therapists and costumed clowns posing as doctors and nurses to lift kids’ spirits.
Although Ryno Kid Care is no longer active, it showcased the same care and compassion Sandberg was known for beyond the field.
She Was His “Rock” During His Cancer Battle
In 2024, Sandberg honored his wife Margaret in an emotional Mother’s Day Instagram post, calling her his “rock” and “team captain” during his battle with cancer.
View this post on Instagram
Reflecting on nearly 30 years together, he wrote, “We will be celebrating 30 years together next year—the experiences, events, and memories are endless. I wouldn’t have wanted to be with anyone else… she has made my life fun and has made me a better person and continues to do so.”
He credited Margaret for guiding him through the most difficult chapter of his life, sharing, “These past 6 months have been a journey and test for both of us, but she has taken complete control of my battle with cancer like a Team Captain. I’ve managed to be as comfortable as possible and do all the doctors have ordered because of her.”
“It has been a lot for her to take on,” he added, “but she has been the one I credit a lot for my successful winning of the battle! I love her more than ever! She is my Rock and with her by my side I can conquer anything!”
Ryne Sandberg’s First Wife, Cindy, Was His High School Sweetheart
Before Margaret, Sandberg was married to his high school sweetheart, Cindy, in 1979—his first full season in professional baseball.
Just 19 at the time, he was living alone in Spartanburg, South Carolina, feeling homesick and isolated. He asked Cindy to visit, and once she arrived, he didn’t want her to leave.
With barely a day of planning, the two got married on May 8 by a justice of the peace. They kept the news quiet at first and didn’t tell their parents right away.
They Divorced in 1995
Cindy initially filed for divorce on December 17, 1993, stating the marriage was “irretrievably broken.” They briefly reconciled over the holidays, but she filed again soon after Ryne announced his retirement on June 13, 1994.
The divorce was finalized in July 1995.
Ryne Had Two Kids, Justin and Lindsey, With Cindy
Ryne and his ex-wife Cindy had two children together: Justin and Lindsey. Both attended Mountain Pointe High School and have since started families of their own.
Justin went on to study business at Pepperdine University before continuing his education at Loma Linda University Health.
