New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has admitted that he never expected to get married again after the death of his first wife, Myra Hiatt Kraft.
Robert and Myra were married for 48 years and welcomed four sons before she died from ovarian cancer at age 68 in 2011. The sports executive later dated actress Ricki Noel Lander for six years before meeting Dr. Dana Kraft (née Dr. Blumberg), an accomplished ophthalmologist with whom he has a 33-year age gap.
“People talk to me about sports, and I haven’t talked much [about my personal life], but I’m going to because of how lucky I am, having found the woman that I did,” Robert told People in 2023.
The Krafts surprised their family and friends with an impromptu wedding in New York City in October 2022. While Dana has kept a very low public profile, she partnered with the New England Patriots Foundation on its “Pawtriots” pet adoption program in 2025.
Ahead of Super Bowl XL on Sunday, February 8, keep scrolling for more information about Robert’s first marriage and his relationship with Dana.
Robert Kraft Was Previously Married to Myra Hiatt
Robert Kraft’s first wife was Myra Hiatt Kraft, the daughter of prominent Boston businessman and philanthropist Jacob Hiatt. They tied the knot in June 1963 while Myra was studying at Brandeis University.
Myra and Robert shared four sons: current New England Patriots president Jonathan Kraft, Kraft Group president Daniel Kraft, former Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston CEO Joshua Kraft and David Kraft.
Myra was a prominent philanthropist like her father and eventually became president of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.
Per the team, Myra rarely got involved in the Patriot’s business affairs aside from a notable incident in 1996 when New England drafted Nebraska lineman Christian Peter, who’d pleaded no contest to third-degree sexual assault in 1994. After Myra voiced her opposition to the signing, the Patriots relinquished the pick five days later because Peter’s conduct was “incompatible with our organization’s standards of acceptable conduct.”
The Krafts released a joint statement in July 2011 to confirm that they’d “suffered a great loss,” as Myra had died at age 68 from ovarian cancer.
“We are all heartbroken,” the family added.
The New England Patriots all wore patches with Myra’s initials “MHK” during the 2011 NFL season in tribute to the late philanthropist.
In March 2023, Robert reflected on the tremendous impact of losing Myra while discussing his then-recent wedding with Dana Kraft.
“I had a tremendous first wife, and 12 years ago, she died of ovarian cancer and I never believed I would get married again,” he told People. “I was really messed up when my first wife died — for over a year.”
The Patriots owner continued, “I really loved her. And then I met some wonderful people along the way, but I never thought I’d get married again.”
Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg Went Public at the French Open
The New England Patriots executive and his new girlfriend, Dr. Dana Kraft, stepped out as a couple for the first time in Paris at the French Open in June 2019.
The two had been rumored to be dating as far back as 2017, after she posed with him on the red carpet at the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York City that November.
Former Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin revealed in October 2022 that Robert and Dana had their first date at the Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox, Massachusetts. In honor of their wedding, Rubin had the bar temporarily renamed Blumberg’s in October 2022.
“Even though Dana Blumberg is now Dana Kraft, Robert will forever be a Blumberg in my eyes,” Rubin joked via Instagram. “This is the bar they had their first date, so had it renamed ‘BLUMBERG’S.’ To a long life of love and happiness, congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Blumberg! Oh and tomorrow open bar on us to celebrate Dana and Robert.”
Robert opened up to People about how meeting Dana was an instance of “God’s hand at work” in his life.
“I met a woman who was just off the charts, and she made me very happy. And hopefully I make her very happy,” he said in March 2023.
Dr Dana Blumberg Is an Accomplished Ophthalmologist and Academic
Per her bio, Dr Dana Kraft received her medical degree from St Louis University in 2000.
In addition to her medical practice, Dana was an associate professor of ophthalmology at New York’s Columbia University and worked with the New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg’s Engagement Was Announced By a Mutual Friend
Robert and Dana Kraft’s engagement was unexpectedly announced by fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger in March 2022, per Page Six.
Hilfiger was speaking at the annual amfAR Gala Palm Beach fundraiser for HIV-AIDS research and support, which Robert and Dana cochaired. Guests reported to the outlet that Dana was wearing an engagement ring with “10-carats or more,” which she subsequently showed off on the red carpet at the 15th Annual Sports Business Journalism Awards in May 2022.
Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg Threw a Surprise Wedding in New York City
Page Six reported in October 2022 that former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Jon Bon Jovi, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver attended a surprise wedding reception for Robert and Dr. Dana Kraft.
Per multiple media outlets, most of the 200 guests thought they were attending a “Kickoff and a Touchdown” party at Hall des Lumières in New York City. Instead, Elton John introduced Robert and Dana as “husband and wife” and an original wedding song was performed by Meek Mill and Ed Sheeran. (Dana also entered the party wearing a Naeem Khan wedding dress.)
Representatives for the newlyweds declined to comment on the reports at the time.
Robert Kraft Surprised Dana Blumberg With a 50th Birthday Party
Robert Kraft invited VIP guests and 200 of his closest friends and family to attend a surprise 50th birthday for his wife, Dana Kraft, at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, in January 2024, per Page Six.
Kraft reportedly spent five months organizing the surprise birthday bash, which featured a concert by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Matthews.
“I want you all to know that yes, she was really surprised. We walked in and she said, ‘What’s happening?’” Kraft delighted in telling his guests.
He went on, “I always loved this theater. When I was an undergrad at Columbia, I used to come here for amateur night, and it was always such a great place with a great heritage. So we were really happy we could pick a venue which would not make [Dana] suspicious … because she is very smart.”
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and former NFL commissioner Roger Goodell were among the entertainment and business titans to make the guest list.
“I am so honored and humbled. … I tell people that I waited for a prince and I got a king,” Dana told her guests.
Dana Blumberg and Robert Kraft Launched a Pet Charity Together
The Krafts launched the “Pawtriots” pet adoption program in July 2025 to help give “dogs and pets a shot at finding loving homes.” The New England Patriots Foundation has partnered with local animal shelters throughout New England to find safe homes for animals in need.
“All of these animals are here because they have been surrendered, or in some cases neglected,” Dana explained during a fundraiser. “They’re all being given a second chance right now. … It’s saving a life. It’s giving a soul that might have a terrible life otherwise a beautiful loving home.”
The organization has held multiple adoption drives at Gillette Stadium. At one such event in November 2025, Robert credited his wife with spearheading the project.
“My little, brilliant, doctor wife came up with this concept of the Pawtriots, and having dogs adopted and working with service dogs for veterans,” Robert said from the sidelines of Gillette Stadium. “People having a dog in their life takes away from the loneliness.”
The New England Patriots announced that its Pawtriots program facilitated the adoptions of 70 dogs at two separate events at Patriot Place Plaza in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in 2025.
