The story of Jessica Pegula, one of tennis's top-ranked players, is inextricably linked to the remarkable tale of her parents, Terry and Kim Pegula. Their journey from humble beginnings to becoming billionaire owners of the NFL's Buffalo Bills and NHL's Buffalo Sabres is a classic American success story, but it also contains a personal detail that initially raised eyebrows: their 18-year age gap. This significant difference even had the couple's own grandparents expressing concern at the outset of their relationship.
The Meeting That Defied Expectations
Terry Pegula, a self-made billionaire in the natural gas industry, met Kim Kerr, a young woman working as a waitress at a restaurant in his hometown of Olean, New York, in the late 1980s. At the time, Terry was 37 and recently divorced, while Kim was just 19. The connection was immediate, but the age difference was impossible to ignore. In a 2011 interview with the Buffalo News, Kim recalled the initial family reaction, stating, "My grandparents were worried. They were like, ‘What is a 37-year-old man doing with a 19-year-old?’"
Despite the external worries and the stark contrast in their life experiences, the couple's bond proved strong. They dated for several years before marrying in 1993, building a life together that would eventually include five children: Jessica, Kelly, Matthew, Michael, and Katie. The foundation of their relationship was built on mutual respect and shared values, ultimately silencing any early doubts.
Building an Empire and a Family
While Kim focused on raising their young family, Terry was building East Resources, a oil and gas exploration company he founded with a loan from family and friends. His business acumen turned it into an energy powerhouse, and its sale in 2010 for $4.7 billion catapulted the Pegulas into the ranks of the ultra-wealthy. This newfound financial power allowed them to pursue a shared passion: sports.
Their acquisitions were not just business transactions; they were a profound commitment to the city of Buffalo. In 2011, they purchased the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, saving the team from potential relocation. Then, in 2014, they won a high-stakes bidding war to acquire the NFL's Buffalo Bills, ensuring the beloved franchise remained in Western New York. This cemented their status as local heroes and pillars of the community.
Kim Pegula: From Partner to President
Kim Pegula was far more than a silent partner in these ventures. She took on a hands-on leadership role, eventually becoming President of both Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) and the Buffalo Bills. She was instrumental in the day-to-day operations and long-term strategic vision for the organizations, earning respect across the male-dominated leagues of the NFL and NHL.
The family's world, however, was rocked in June 2022 when Kim suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at their home. The incident led to a long and ongoing recovery process, with Terry and the children, including Jessica, rallying around her. Jessica has been open about the profound impact this health scare had on the family, often dedicating her on-court successes to her mother's strength and resilience.
Jessica's Rise and the Family's Support
Jessica Pegula’s path to tennis stardom was supported wholeheartedly by her parents, though they never pressured her. She has often spoken about the normalcy of her upbringing despite the family's immense wealth. Her parents' work ethic and down-to-earth attitude were the true inheritances. In her own words from a personal essay for The Players' Tribune, Jessica highlighted their grounded nature:
"People see the Bills and the Sabres and they think we grew up in this huge, extravagant world. But my parents are the most humble, hard-working people I know. They never handed us anything. We had to earn it."
This upbringing shaped Jessica into one of the most determined and respected players on the WTA tour. Her success is a testament to her own talent and grind, but also to the stable, loving, and supportive foundation built by Terry and Kim—a partnership that, despite an 18-year gap and early worries, proved to be unshakably strong.
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
The Pegula family's story is multifaceted. It is a tale of:
- Business Acumen: Terry's rise from a small-town geologist to a billionaire energy tycoon.
- Community Devotion: Their unwavering commitment to preserving Buffalo's major sports franchises.
- Family Strength: Navigating a high-profile life while dealing with a profound personal health crisis.
- Unconventional Beginnings: A love that blossomed despite an 18-year age difference that initially concerned their family.
The initial concerns of Kim's grandparents all those years ago have long since faded, replaced by the evidence of a lasting partnership that built a family, a business empire, and a lasting legacy in the world of sports. The Pegulas have shown that the strength of a relationship is not measured in years of difference, but in the depth of commitment, shared vision, and unconditional support for one another.
Today, as Jessica continues to compete at the highest levels of tennis, she carries with her the resilience of her mother and the determined spirit of her father—a powerful combination forged from a love story that defiantly beat the odds.