Who is Jack Nicklaus’ wife? Golf legend celebrates his spouse Barbara as the Memorial’s 2025 honoree

The Nicklaus name is synonymous with golf itself, but the legendary Jack Nicklaus isn’t the only member of his family to be honored within the sport.

His longtime wife, Barbara, was honored at the 2025 Memorial Tournament, which her husband founded in 1976. The Nicklaus family has helped run the Memorial ever since, making it one of the premier non-major events on the golf calendar.

Naturally, Barbara is revered at the Memorial — and that adoration was on display when she was honored in front of her family and more. “If Jack is the heart (of the Memorial Tournament), Barbara is the soul,” a Nicklaus family friend told The Columbus Dispatch after the ceremony.

Here’s more to know about Nicklaus’ wife and her marriage to the “Golden Bear.”

MORE: How Scottie Scheffler made history at 2025 Memorial Tournament

Who is Barbara Nicklaus?

Barbara Nicklaus was born in Clintonville, Ohio and met Jack during their freshman year at Ohio State. The two wed in 1960, and Jack went on to become one of the unquestioned greatest golfers of all time with 17 major championships over a span of 25 years.

Barbara was a nursing student at Ohio State, while Jack planned to remain an amateur golfer and instead make a career for himself selling insurance. As he continued to stand out on the golf course, those plans changed.

While Jack naturally received most of the attention for his work on the golf course, he’s credited his wife for helping him succeed every step of the way. “For 65 years she’s been my conscience,” Nicklaus said at the 2025 Memorial Tournament. “She’s a special lady.”

This video of Jack Nicklaus reaction to his wife Barbara being honored this week is amazing pic.twitter.com/3dURYtQjLH

— Ways To Golf (@WaysToGolf) June 1, 2025

The Memorial’s Captains Club annually chooses the tournament’s honoree, but with Barbara part of the group, the other members secretly voted in 2025 to make her the newest honoree. “I about fell over speechless because I don’t like to be on this side of the fence,” Barbara said of receiving the news. “I like to be on the other side.”

Still a visible presence next to her husband even in her 80s, Barbara was officially honored on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. 

Barbara Nicklaus age

Barbara Nicklaus is 85 years old, the same age as her husband. She and Jack were both born in 1940 and married in 1960. 

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Barbara and Jack Nicklaus children

Barbara and Jack have five children; four sons and one daughter: Jack II, Steven, Michael, Gary and Nancy.

Gary spent three years on the PGA Tour in the early 2000s, participating in the U.S. Open twice but never recording a professional win outside of a father-son challenge in 1999. Jack II, meanwhile, played on the Korn Ferry Tour, while Michael made two appearances on the Korn Ferry Tour as well. 

While his children didn’t achieve the same level of success as their father — a virtually impossible standard, to say the least — Jack and Barbara Nicklaus are at the center of a tremendous golf family.

How old is Jack Nicklaus?

Jack Nicklaus turned 85 in January. Both he and his wife were born in 1940. 85 might be a bit too old to compete, but Nicklaus set a record for longevity when he became the oldest-ever Masters winner at age 46. 

MORE: Scottie Scheffler’s timeline of results in majors

Complete list of Honorees at the Memorial

Here’s the full list of every Honoree at the Memorial over the years.