Pat Bowlen was best known as the longtime majority owner of the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). He played a central leadership role that helped bring multiple Super Bowl championships to Denver, solidifying his legacy in both local and professional sports history.
Patrick Dennis Bowlen was born on February 18, 1944, in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, to Arvella and Paul Dennis Bowlen. His father, a successful figure in the Canadian oil industry, laid the foundation for the family's business ventures. That business is currently managed by Pat’s brother, John Bowlen.
Pat Bowlen became CEO and principal owner of the Denver Broncos in 1984, after purchasing the team from Edgar Kaiser for $78 million. Under his leadership, the Broncos transformed into one of the NFL’s most consistently competitive franchises. The team faced legal disputes related to ownership with the late Edgar Kaiser’s estate between 1999 and 2008, but ultimately remained under Bowlen family control.
During Bowlen’s ownership, the Broncos made seven Super Bowl appearances and won three titles: Super Bowl XXXII, XXXIII, and 50. His impact on the franchise was acknowledged through various honors, including induction into the Broncos Ring of Fame in 2015 and into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. He was also inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2015. Notably, references to the “Steinfeld Cup” and “ArenaBowl XIX” are not associated with Bowlen and have been removed for accuracy.
At the time of his passing, Pat Bowlen’s net worth was estimated in the hundreds of millions, reflecting decades of business acumen in sports and oil. His legacy includes transforming the Broncos into a model NFL franchise and championing numerous philanthropic causes in Colorado. Throughout his tenure, Denver became recognized as a thriving football city under his stewardship.
Bowlen was married to Annabel Bowlen for over 35 years, and the couple had five children together. Several of Bowlen’s children have been involved with the Broncos in varying capacities. His eldest son, Patrick Bowlen, served as the team’s Director of Facilities. His second son, John Bowlen, formerly worked in the team’s public relations and game-day operations department. John was once a wide receiver at the University of San Diego but retired from football due to injuries.
Their daughter Brittany Bowlen worked as a business analyst within the Broncos’ finance department before pursuing her graduate degree at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Notre Dame. Another daughter, Annabel Bowlen, studied at the University of Colorado Denver. Less is publicly known about the youngest daughter, Christianna Bowlen.
Bowlen also had two daughters from a previous marriage to Sally Parker. Jane Elizabeth “Beth” Bowlen Wallace previously served as the team’s Director of Special Projects and Events before leaving to study law at the University of Denver. His daughter Amie Bowlen Klemmer lives in Hawaii and has remained largely out of the public eye.
Pat Bowlen passed away on June 13, 2019, at the age of 75, following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. His death marked a profound moment for the city of Denver and the broader football community. Under Bowlen’s direction, the Broncos became emblematic of success and excellence in the NFL, making him one of the most respected owners in league history.
| Birth Date: | 18 Feb, 1944 |
| Age: | 76 yrs |
| Occupations: | Businessperson |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Prairie du Chien |
| Education: | University of Oklahoma |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American football executive |
| Net Worth 2021: | 1 billion |
