Claire Kittle Bio: George Kittle’s Wife Age, Height, Career, Net Worth & Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Journey

Claire Kittle has evolved from collegiate basketball player to one of the NFL’s most influential WAGs (wives and girlfriends), fitness entrepreneurs, and now a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model. As the wife of San Francisco 49ers superstar george kittle, Claire has built her own empire in fitness, media, and fashion while navigating the unique pressures of professional football life. Her 2026 feature in SI Swimsuit marks a pivotal moment in her “year of yes,” transforming her from sideline supporter to mainstream celebrity in her own right.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Claire Colette Till was born on May 24, 1994, in Dubuque, Iowa, to athletic parents who instilled a competitive spirit from day one. Her father, Marty Till, played baseball at the University of Northern Iowa, while her mother, Shelley Bardon, was a basketball player at Drake University. Claire grew up alongside her younger brother Riley in a household where sports were simply a way of life.

At Wahlert Catholic High School, Claire emerged as a basketball standout, earning two-time all-state selection honors and leading her team to significant victories. Her prowess on the court attracted collegiate attention, and she committed to the University of Iowa to play for the Hawkeyes women’s basketball program.

However, her promising athletic career faced a devastating setback. Chronic knee injuries ultimately ended her basketball dreams, forcing her to confront an identity crisis that would shape her future path. Rather than letting this defeat define her, Claire transformed her setback into motivation, later reflecting: “Without awful knees, I know I would have accomplished more on the basketball court, but because of the trials my knees brought, I am the strongest person I know.”

She graduated from Iowa in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Physiology-Exercise Science, complemented by a certification in Entrepreneurial Management. This educational foundation would prove crucial for her future business ventures.

Career Journey

Early Fitness Entrepreneurship (2016–2019)

Following graduation, Claire immediately pivoted into the fitness industry. She founded Claire Till Fitness, LLC in Iowa City and operated The Fitness Barre from September 2016 to June 2017. Her approach combined her academic knowledge with her experience as a Division I athlete, offering personalized training that resonated with clients seeking authentic, results-driven coaching.

During this period, she also worked as a physical therapy assistant, restaurant host, and camp instructor, diversifying her skill set while building her brand. She signed with JE Models as a fitness model, beginning her transition from athlete to media personality.

The Kittle Brand & NFL WAG Status (2019–2024)

Claire’s profile elevated dramatically when she married George Kittle in 2019. As George emerged as one of the NFL’s premier tight ends, Claire evolved from supportive spouse to strategic partner in building the Kittle brand. She appeared alongside George in advertisements for Zenni Optical, where the couple launched an exclusive eyewear collection, and became known as a “trendsetter” for her gameday fashion choices.

In 2022, following the 49ers’ NFC Championship loss, Claire gained widespread attention for a heartfelt Instagram post supporting George, demonstrating the emotional authenticity that would become her trademark. She wrote: “Disbelief and stillness were all I felt as I yelled, get up, get up, over and over again. He always gets up. He’s George — he can do all things.”

The “Year of Yes” & Media Expansion (2025–2026)

2025 marked a transformative period for Claire as she entered what she calls her “yes era.” The catalyst came during the NFL offseason when close friend Kyle Juszczyk was briefly released by the 49ers, reminding Claire that “this [NFL life] is not for long.”

Major 2025–2026 Ventures:

1. HOSS Tailgate Tour (Founder)
Claire launched “The House of Sport and Sisterhood” (HOSS), a brand focused on bringing women together through football. The inaugural tailgate tour visited multiple NFL cities, hosting events where female fans could meet, share stories, and attend games together. “What I’m most proud of is that I started a brand called ‘HOSS,'” she told Sports Illustrated. “We traveled around to different football games, hosted tailgates and brought women together to meet and hang out, share stories, contact info, make friends and then go to the game together.”

2. “Wife’d Up Mic’d Up” Digital Series
Partnering with best friend Kristin Juszczyk (wife of Kyle Juszczyk), Claire launched a YouTube series documenting their gameday experiences. The show follows their fashion choices, family interactions, and behind-the-scenes access to NFL life. “We have wanted to do this for years,” Claire explained. “We wanted to show pieces of [our friendship] because we do have a really great friendship and relationship, and I think that’s important to show people.”

3. “Kittle Things” Podcast
Claire and George co-host this podcast featuring athlete interviews, family anecdotes, and discussions about their life together. In 2025, they hosted Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg and his wife Erin, sorting NFL players into Harry Potter houses.

4. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2026
The pinnacle of Claire’s “year of yes” came with her selection for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit “New Era of NFL WAGs” photoshoot, unveiled in February 2026. Joining fellow NFL wives including Brittany Mahomes and olivia culpo, Claire’s feature represents her breakthrough into mainstream modeling. “I want to say yes to more because I’m really good at saying no,” she told SI. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and being an athlete my entire life, I love something to work towards.”

Brand Partnerships & Endorsements

• Smirnoff: Official partner for “We Do Game Days” platform (2025–present)
• Zenni Optical: Co-branded eyewear collection with George
• Various Fitness Brands: Ongoing partnerships aligned with her training business

Personal Life

Marriage to George Kittle

Claire and George’s love story began in 2012 when they met as freshmen at the University of Iowa, both living in the same dormitory for athletes. George, playing football for the Hawkeyes, spotted Claire outside his dorm and was immediately interested, though he spent eight months in the “friend zone” before their relationship turned romantic.

Their bond strengthened through shared athletic experiences, including navigating injuries and career pressures. In August 2018, George proposed at Santa Cruz’s Twin Lakes State Beach, orchestrating an elaborate ruse involving a fake 49ers photoshoot to maintain surprise. Despite nursing a preseason knee injury, he executed the perfect proposal with help from the team’s photographer and video crew.

Wedding Timeline:

• April 10, 2019: Eloped in Iowa City at a family friend’s jewelry store, with George’s father Bruce officiating and just 10-15 close family members present. Claire wore a white jumpsuit, and the couple fed each other cookies instead of cake.
• April 2021: Renewed vows in a formal backyard ceremony at their Nashville home, bringing “a touch of Italy” to the celebration with 150 guests.

The couple resides in Nashville, Tennessee, during the NFL offseason, sharing their home with their Bernedoodle named Dini (or Deenie, in some reports).

Family & Relationships

Claire maintains extremely close relationships with fellow 49ers WAGs, particularly Kristin Juszczyk. The two live down the street from each other and have built a friendship that spans nine years of NFL life. They frequently vacation together with their husbands, including trips to Lake Tahoe and Mexico with christian mccaffrey/Olivia Culpo and brock purdy/Jenna Purdy.

The Kittle and Juszczyk families’ bond was tested during Kyle Juszczyk’s brief free agency in March 2025, which Claire described as “one of the worst and hardest calls” and a moment that “really hit home” about the transient nature of NFL careers.

Health & Wellness Journey

Claire’s fitness philosophy stems from her own injury experience and academic background. She competed in a bikini fitness competition in 2018 and maintains a rigorous training regimen. Her approach emphasizes strength, functionality, and mental resilience over aesthetics alone.

Controversies

Privacy vs. Public Life Balance

As Claire’s public profile has grown, she has faced scrutiny regarding the line between supportive spouse and independent celebrity. Some critics have questioned whether her brand opportunities exploit her husband’s fame, while supporters argue she has successfully parlayed her platform into legitimate business ventures.

NFL WAG Stereotypes

Claire has been vocal about challenging stereotypes associated with being an NFL wife. Through HOSS and her media presence, she actively works to demonstrate that WAGs are entrepreneurs, creators, and community builders rather than mere accessories to their husbands’ careers.

Social Media Pressure

Following George’s season-ending Achilles tear in January 2026, Claire faced intense social media attention regarding her emotional reaction and subsequent support of her husband. She navigated this scrutiny with characteristic transparency, sharing her heartbreak while maintaining boundaries around their private recovery process.

Awards & Achievements

• Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model (2026): Featured in “New Era of NFL WAGs” photoshoot
• HOSS Tailgate Tour Founder (2025): Inaugural successful tour across NFL cities
• “Wife’d Up Mic’d Up” Creator (2025): Digital series with Kristin Juszczyk
• Fitness Competition: Completed bikini fitness competition (2018)
• Academic Honors: University of Iowa graduate with Exercise Science degree

Physical Statistics

Claire’s height and athletic background have made her a natural fit for modeling and fashion partnerships. Her fitness regimen focuses on functional strength and sustainable wellness practices.

Quotes

“I want to say yes to more because I’m really good at saying no. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and being an athlete my entire life, I love something to work towards.”

“Without awful knees, I know I would have accomplished more on the basketball court, but because of the trials my knees brought, I am the strongest person I know.”

“This offseason, Kyle was cut for a brief moment and we saw that [dynamic between the four of us] really change… That really hit home and made it real that this [NFL life] is not for long.”

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

As of 2026, Claire Kittle’s estimated net worth stands at $2 million, built through her fitness business, brand partnerships, media ventures, and modeling work.

Income Sources:

• HOSS Tailgate Tour: Revenue from events and brand partnerships
• Podcast “Kittle Things”: Sponsorship and advertising revenue
• Brand Endorsements: Smirnoff, Zenni Optical, fitness brands
• Modeling: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and other fashion work
• Claire Kittle Fitness: Personal training and online coaching programs

Combined Net Worth with George Kittle:
The couple’s combined net worth is estimated at approximately $22 million, with George contributing roughly $20 million from his NFL career (including a 5-year, $75 million contract extension signed in 2020) and endorsements with Nike, Bud Light, and Xbox.

Interesting Facts

1. Basketball Legacy: Played 95 games for the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team before knee injuries ended her career.
2. Cookie Wedding: Fed each other cookies instead of traditional wedding cake at their 2019 elopement.
3. Joker Tattoo: George got a heath ledger Joker tattoo the day before their wedding, which Claire initially hated but later embraced.
4. Family Photographers: George’s mother Jan and sister Emma served as photographers for their intimate 2019 wedding.
5. Nashville Roots: Chose Nashville as their offseason home to establish roots outside the NFL’s transient lifestyle.
6. College Sweethearts: Met George as freshmen in 2012, giving them over 13 years together by 2026.
7. Fitness Competition: Competed in a bikini fitness competition in 2018, showcasing her dedication to body transformation.
8. Fashion Trendsetter: Known for her stylish game-day outfits that frequently go viral on social media.
9. Holiday Bar: Takes over George’s game room each December to create a “Christmas speakeasy” for friends and family.
10. Supportive Spouse: Was present when George suffered his season-ending Achilles tear in January 2026, providing immediate emotional support.

Did You Know?

• Claire and George lived in the same dormitory for athletes during their freshman year at Iowa but didn’t start dating for eight months.
• Their 2019 wedding was planned in just one week due to George’s football schedule.
• Claire’s brother Riley Till also played basketball, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
• She maintains close friendships with multiple NFL WAGs, creating a support network that spans the league.
• Claire’s transition from injured athlete to fitness entrepreneur was inspired by her own rehabilitation experience.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @clairekittle
• YouTube: “Wife’d Up Mic’d Up” series with Kristin Juszczyk
• Podcast: “Kittle Things” (available on major podcast platforms)
• TikTok: Limited presence, primarily through Instagram content

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Claire Kittle meet George Kittle?
Claire and George met as freshmen at the University of Iowa in 2012, both living in the same dormitory for athletes. Claire played women’s basketball while George played football. They were friends for eight months before beginning their romantic relationship.

What is Claire Kittle’s net worth in 2026?
Claire Kittle’s estimated net worth is $2 million as of 2026, derived from her fitness business, brand partnerships, media ventures, and modeling work. Combined with husband George Kittle’s estimated $20 million net worth, the couple’s total wealth is approximately $22 million.

What does Claire Kittle do for a living?
Claire is a fitness entrepreneur, model, and media personality. She founded the HOSS Tailgate Tour, co-hosts the “Kittle Things” podcast with George, and was featured in the 2026 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. She previously operated Claire Till Fitness, LLC and worked as a personal trainer.

When did Claire and George Kittle get married?
The couple eloped on April 10, 2019, in Iowa City with just family present. They renewed their vows in a larger ceremony on April 2021 at their Nashville home.

How tall is Claire Kittle?
Claire Kittle stands at 5’11” (180 cm), making her notably tall and well-suited for her modeling career.

What is HOSS Tailgate Tour?
HOSS (The House of Sport and Sisterhood) is Claire’s brand founded in 2025 that hosts tailgate events for women to connect, share stories, and attend NFL games together, creating community among female football fans.

Did Claire Kittle play sports?
Yes, Claire played basketball for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes women’s team from 2012 to 2016, appearing in 95 games before chronic knee injuries ended her athletic career.

Conclusion

Claire Kittle represents a new generation of NFL spouses who refuse to be defined solely by their partner’s success. From her early days as an injured college athlete to her current status as a Sports Illustrated model, entrepreneur, and media personality, Claire has demonstrated remarkable resilience and business acumen. Her “year of yes” in 2025–2026 marks a transition from supporting character to leading lady, building a brand that stands independently while complementing her husband’s NFL stardom.

As she continues expanding HOSS, growing her media presence, and exploring new opportunities, Claire Kittle proves that life after athletic injury can be not just fulfilling but extraordinary. Her journey from the basketball court to the pages of Sports Illustrated serves as inspiration for anyone facing unexpected career pivots.

If you enjoyed this comprehensive biography, please share it with fellow NFL fans and follow for more in-depth profiles of sports personalities and their partners.