Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey dies at age 102
CHICAGO (AP) — Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died. She was 102.
McCaskey’s family announced through the team that she died Thursday. She had owned the Bears since her father’s death on Oct. 31, 1983.
“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth,” the family said.
Like her father, a co-founder of the NFL, McCaskey kept the team in family hands. She gave operational control and the title of president to her eldest son, Michael McCaskey, who served as chairman until being succeeded by brother George McCaskey in 2011.
During her stewardship, the Bears won a Super Bowl in 1986 and lost a second 21 years later.
Four of McCaskey’s sons remain with the Bears’ board of directors: George, Patrick, Brian and Ed. A recent valuation by Forbes.com pegged the team’s worth at $6.4 billion.