Mark Teixeira, a former MLB first baseman renowned for his powerful switch-hitting and successful stints with teams like the Rangers, Braves, Angels, and Yankees, attributes much of his success to his strong family foundation.
Leigh Williams is at the heart of his life. He has been married to her for over 22 years.
Together, they have built a life filled with love, giving back, and supporting each other, all away from the public eye.
As Mark steps into a new chapter with his recent announcement of running for Congress in Texas, Leigh remains his steadfast partner.
Mark Teixeira’s Wife, Leigh, was Born and Raised in Georgia, a State with Deep Roots in her Family
Williams grew up there and later attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she studied industrial design and graduated in 2001.
It was during her time at the university that she met Mark Teixeira, a fellow student and rising baseball star.
Mark, originally from Baltimore, had chosen Georgia Tech partly for its strong baseball program.
He often describes meeting Leigh as the best decision of his life, saying it allowed him to jumpstart his professional baseball career three years ahead of schedule by turning pro after his junior year.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe couple’s connection was immediate and intense. They dated for about a year before getting married on December 7, 2002.
Georgia remains a vital place for families. Leigh’s parents still live there, and the Teixeiras make it a point to spend holidays with them.
Both Mark and Leigh stay loyal supporters of Georgia Tech, often visiting the campus and contributing to its programs.
In fact, Mark even returned to complete his degree in 2022, encouraged by Leigh, who reminded him of the value of finishing what he started.
After graduation, the couple moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where Mark began his MLB career with the Texas Rangers.
They welcomed three children: sons Jack Gordon and William Charles, and daughter Addison Leigh.
Family has always been their priority, and they have worked hard to maintain a sense of normalcy despite Mark’s high-profile career.
In March 2009, as Mark joined the New York Yankees, they purchased a stunning mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut, for $6.7 million.
This became their family home for over a decade, offering a peaceful retreat from the demands of baseball.
They eventually sold the property in August 2021 for $7 million, marking a new phase in their lives.
The family also owned a luxurious home in the Vaquero golf community in Dallas, which they auctioned off in 2018 as Mark’s career wound down.
Mark and Leigh value their privacy. Neither is active on social media, preferring to keep their personal lives private.
Still, they have been spotted together at baseball events, supporting the sport that has brought them so much joy.
Leigh has been by Mark’s side through the highs and lows of his professional and personal life, offering quiet strength and support.
The Teixeiras have Always Believed in Using Their Platform for Good
In 2006, while living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, they established the Mark Teixeira Charitable Fund.
This initiative awards six $5,000 scholarships annually to deserving students from three local high schools.
Their giving extends beyond that. They also created a scholarship at Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Mark’s alma mater, in honor of a close friend who tragically died in a car accident.
Leigh’s influence is evident in their charitable work. As a Georgia native and Tech alumna, she shares Mark’s commitment to education and community.
The couple has supported various causes, including renovations at Georgia Tech’s Russ Chandler Stadium, reflecting their ongoing ties to the school that brought them together.
Embed from Getty ImagesThroughout Mark’s 14-year MLB career, where he hit 409 home runs, earned three All-Star selections, and won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009, Leigh was his biggest cheerleader.
She stood by him during injuries, trades, and the pressures of free agency. In a memorable moment during his 2008 free agency period, Mark recalled asking Leigh for her honest opinion on where he should sign.
She kept saying, “I just want you to be happy.” But on a date night, when he pressed her further, she admitted, “I want you to be a Yankee.”
That input helped seal his decision to join New York, a move that defined the later part of his career.
Leigh’s support didn’t waver even as Mark transitioned out of baseball. He retired in 2016 and has since worked as an ESPN analyst, investor, and now, a political hopeful.
In a surprise announcement on August 28, 2025, Mark Teixeira declared his candidacy for Congress in Texas’s 21st District as a Republican.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
Big news: I’m ready to go!
— Mark Teixeira (@teixeiramark25) August 28, 2025
As a lifelong conservative who loves this country, I’m running for Congress to fight for the principles that make Texas and America great.
It takes teamwork to win – I’m ready to help defend President Trump’s America First agenda, Texas families,… pic.twitter.com/bVb6j9qP6i
The news has sparked mixed reactions. Some fans and conservatives praise his entry into politics, seeing it as a natural extension of his leadership on the field.
Others criticize the decision, questioning his experience or political alignment. Regardless, Leigh stands beside him, just as she has through every major life change.
The family has ties to Texas dating back to Mark’s early playing days with the Rangers, and this move could bring them back to the state full-time.
Today, settled in Greenwich but with hearts in Georgia and Texas, Mark and Leigh continue to focus on their children, their faith, and their shared values.
Leigh Williams may not seek the limelight, but her role as Mark Teixeira’s wife has been pivotal in shaping a legacy that goes far beyond baseball.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mark Charles Teixeira grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, the son of Margaret “Margy” Canterna and John Teixeira.
- The Boston Red Sox selected Teixeira in the ninth round of the 1998 MLB draft.
- Teixeira is a devout Catholic.
