Tennis Star Jessica Pegula’s Parents: A Closer Look at Billionaire Couple, Terry and Kim Pegula
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Jessica Pegula, the professional tennis player currently competing in the 2025 US Open, owes much of her success to her supportive parents, Terry and Kim Pegula. Terry and Kim, who have been married since 1993, are not just any ordinary parents – they are the co-owners of the Buffalo Bills NFL team and the Buffalo Sabres NHL team.
Kim and Terry have played a significant role in Jessica’s tennis career right from the beginning. They started encouraging her to play tennis when she was just 7 years old, and their support has been unwavering ever since. Despite owning several sports teams, Kim and Terry have always prioritized Jessica’s athletic pursuits above all else.
Jessica, born in Buffalo, N.Y., was moved around to various locations such as Wexford, Pa., South Carolina, and Florida as her parents focused on fostering her tennis talent. Kim and Terry have often expressed how Jessica is like their “first sports team and favorite,” as mentioned in an interview with WKBW-TV in August 2019, following Jessica’s win at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.
Kim Pegula’s background is one of resilience and perseverance. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Kim was adopted at the age of 5 by her Canadian-born parents and grew up in Fairport, N.Y. Despite the challenges she faced early in life, Kim has always credited her adoptive parents for being the biggest influences in her life.
The story of how Kim met Terry is a true testament to fate. In 1991, Kim, a recent college graduate, was working towards a career in broadcast journalism when she met Terry at a restaurant. Terry, a self-made businessman from Carbondale, Pa., was instantly drawn to Kim, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Terry’s journey to success started with humble beginnings. After graduating from Penn State University with a degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering, Terry founded East Resources Inc. with just $7,500 borrowed from family and friends. His business acumen eventually led him to sell the majority of his assets to Royal Dutch Shell for a staggering $4.7 billion in 2010.
Together, Terry and Kim have three children – Jessica, Kelly, and Matthew. While Jessica has made a name for herself in the tennis world, she has also ventured into business with her husband, Taylor Gahagen, starting ventures like Ready 24 skincare brand and A Lending Paw charity.
The Pegulas’ dedication to sports extends beyond just owning teams. In addition to the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, they also own National Lacrosse League teams like the Buffalo Bandits and Rochester Knighthawks. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their goal to bring championships to the city of Buffalo.
However, the Pegula family recently faced a health scare when Kim suffered a cardiac arrest in June 2022. Jessica shared in an article for The Players’ Tribune how the family rallied together during this challenging time, with Kim showing signs of improvement in her recovery.
Despite their busy schedules and high-profile positions, Terry and Kim remain devoted parents who get nervous watching Jessica play tennis. Their influence on Jessica’s career is undeniable, with Terry pushing her to work hard on the court while Kim focuses on off-court aspects like diet and recovery.
As the Pegula family splits their time between New York and Florida, they continue to support each other through life’s ups and downs. Their story is a true testament to love, dedication, and resilience in the face of adversity.