The Shocking Truth: Was Travis Kelce Married Before Taylor Swift? Unpacking His Complete Relationship Timeline

The simple, definitive answer to the question "Was Travis Kelce married before?" is a resounding no. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has never been legally married, despite his high-profile dating life and lengthy relationships. His romantic journey, which has been under an intense spotlight since he began dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, includes a reality television romance and a five-year, on-again, off-again partnership that many fans assumed would lead to the altar.

This deep dive into Travis Kelce’s relationship history separates fact from fiction, exploring the women who held his heart before his current, globally-followed engagement. From the winner of his own dating show to his most serious long-term girlfriend, the timeline reveals a complex path that directly addresses the intense curiosity surrounding his marital status and past commitments.

Travis Kelce's Complete Biography and Relationship Profile

To fully understand the context of Travis Kelce's dating history, it is essential to look at the man behind the helmet. His profile provides the foundation for the high-profile relationships that have defined his life off the football field.

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• Full Name: Travis Michael Kelce
• Date of Birth: October 5, 1989
• Age (as of 2025): 35
• Hometown: Westlake, Ohio
• Parents: Donna Kelce and Ed Kelce (divorced after 25 years of marriage)
• Brother: Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles center)
• NFL Draft: 2013, 3rd round (63rd overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Tight End (TE)
• Super Bowl Wins: Multiple (with the Kansas City Chiefs)
• Marital Status: Never Married (Currently Engaged to Taylor Swift)
• Reality TV Appearance: Star of the E! dating show Catching Kelce (2016)

Kelce’s family background, particularly the 25-year marriage and subsequent divorce of his parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, has influenced his public commentary on the subject of marriage and long-term commitment. He has openly discussed the complexities of relationships, often noting that he wants to avoid the mistakes of his parents' split.

The Reality TV Romance: Maya Benberry and 'Catching Kelce' (2016)

Before his career reached its current superstar status, Travis Kelce took an unconventional route to find love: starring in his own reality dating show. The E! series, titled Catching Kelce, premiered in 2016 and featured 50 women—one from every U.S. state—competing for his heart.

The Winner and the Short-Lived Relationship

The final woman standing was Maya Benberry, a marketing and brand consultant hailing from Kentucky. Their relationship, which was the culmination of the dating series, was short-lived. Despite the fanfare of the show's finale, the couple split in early 2017, just a few months after the show concluded. Sources close to the NFL star indicated that the relationship "didn't amount to much," with Kelce himself reportedly telling TMZ that they only dated for about a month after filming.

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While the show was a major moment in his public life, Kelce rarely addresses his history with the series now, preferring to focus on his football career and current relationships. The brief nature of this romance confirms that Maya Benberry was never a candidate for the title of "Travis Kelce's first wife."

The Five-Year Commitment: Unpacking the Kayla Nicole Relationship (2017–2022)

The most serious and long-term relationship in Travis Kelce’s life before his current partner was with Kayla Nicole. A sports broadcaster and social media influencer, Kayla Nicole was a fixture in Kelce's life for five years, from 2017 until their final split in 2022.

A Partnership Marked by Public Appearances

Kayla Nicole was a consistent presence at Kansas City Chiefs games, often seen cheering on the tight end alongside his family, including his mother, Donna Kelce. Their relationship was an on-again, off-again romance that spanned multiple seasons and Super Bowl runs. They were widely considered a power couple in the sports world, leading many fans and media outlets to speculate about an impending engagement or marriage.

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Despite the public expectation, the couple never got engaged. Their final breakup in 2022 was surrounded by significant media speculation, including rumors of infidelity and disputes over finances. One widely circulated (but unconfirmed) rumor, reported by Barstool Sports, suggested the relationship ended because Kelce wanted Nicole to pay half of their shared expenses. Kelce vehemently denied this rumor, calling it "fake news" and a "lie," while also denying rumors of infidelity. Kayla Nicole has since addressed the persistent "cheap" rumors, particularly amid the intense scrutiny following Kelce's new relationship.

The Current Chapter: From Dating to Engagement with Taylor Swift

The most recent and significant development in Travis Kelce’s love life has been his relationship with singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. The romance began publicly in late 2023 after Kelce famously tried and failed to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it at her Eras Tour show.

The Definitive Answer to His Future Marital Status

The relationship quickly became one of the most high-profile pairings in the world, generating massive media coverage, boosting NFL viewership, and creating a cultural phenomenon known as the "Taylor and Travis effect." This whirlwind romance culminated in a major announcement: Travis Kelce is now engaged to Taylor Swift. The couple reportedly confirmed the news with a joint social media post, with Swift referring to Kelce as her "fiancé."

While the exact date of their future wedding remains private, the engagement officially closes the chapter on the question of whether Kelce was ever married before. He was not. He is now set to marry Taylor Swift, marking his first-ever marriage and the most anticipated celebrity wedding in years. The news of the engagement even reportedly interrupted live commentary during the 2025 US Open, highlighting the immense public interest in their union.

Summary of Travis Kelce's Key Relationships and Marital Status

To summarize the relationship timeline that leads to his current engagement, the key entities and milestones are clear:

• Relationship 1: Maya Benberry (2016–2017)
  • Duration: A few months.
  • Context: Winner of the E! reality show Catching Kelce.
  • Marital Status: Never married.
• Relationship 2: Kayla Nicole (2017–2022)
  • Duration: Five years (on-again, off-again).
  • Context: Long-term, serious relationship with a sports broadcaster.
  • Marital Status: Never married.
• Relationship 3: Taylor Swift (2023–Present)
  • Duration: Ongoing.
  • Context: Global superstar, relationship confirmed with public appearances and engagement.
  • Marital Status: Engaged (Future wife).

In conclusion, the focus on Travis Kelce's past relationships confirms that his path to the altar has been a long one, but it is a journey he has never completed until now. All the speculation about a secret wife or a previous marriage is unfounded. The Chiefs star’s first marriage will be to Taylor Swift, cementing his place not just as an NFL legend, but as half of one of the world's most famous couples.