Bernie Williams Wife: Who Is He Married To? (2026)
Former New York Yankees center fielder Bernie Williams was married to Waleska Williams (née Ortega) for nearly three decades before their divorce.
Who Is Waleska Williams?
Waleska Williams, née Ortega, was the wife of Yankees star Bernie Williams. The couple married on February 23, 1990, when Williams was still a minor-league prospect in the Yankees system. They raised three children together and lived in Armonk, New York, after purchasing a home there in 1999. Waleska largely stayed out of the public spotlight during Williams' playing career, though the family split time between New Jersey and Puerto Rico during his early years in baseball.
Marriage Timeline
Bernie and Waleska married on February 23, 1990 — one year before Williams made his major-league debut with the Yankees in 1991. Their marriage spanned his entire 16-season big-league career and the four World Series championships he won with the Yankees (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000). On June 14, 2018, Williams publicly stated he was divorced during an appearance on ESPN's Highly Questionable. Waleska was notably absent from his 2015 Yankees number-retirement ceremony at Monument Park, where his mother, brother, and three children attended.
Children
Bernie and Waleska Williams had three children: Bernie Jr., Beatriz, and Bianca. Music runs in the family — Williams named songs after his children on his albums, including "Lullaby for Beatriz" on his 2009 release Moving Forward, performed with his brother Hiram Williams on cello. Beatriz earned a Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University and a Master's Degree in Art Therapy from New York University, pursuing a career as a visual artist.
Career Highlights
Bernabe "Bernie" Williams Figueroa Jr. (born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) played his entire 16-season MLB career (1991–2006) with the New York Yankees. A switch-hitting center fielder, he won four World Series titles, five All-Star selections, four Gold Glove Awards, and the 1996 ALCS MVP. He finished with a .297 career batting average, 2,336 hits, 286 home runs, and 1,257 RBIs. At the time of his retirement he held career postseason records for games (121), doubles (29), RBIs (80), and extra-base hits (51). The Yankees retired his number 51 in 2015 and honored him with a Monument Park plaque.
Williams is also a classically trained guitarist. His major-label debut album, The Journey Within (2003), featured collaborations with Ruben Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Béla Fleck, and he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall.
FAQ
Who was Bernie Williams' wife?
Bernie Williams was married to Waleska Williams (née Ortega) from February 23, 1990, until their divorce, which he confirmed publicly in June 2018.
How many children does Bernie Williams have?
Three: Bernie Jr., Beatriz, and Bianca.
How many World Series did Bernie Williams win?
Four — with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000.
Is Bernie Williams a musician?
Yes. He is a classically trained guitarist who released the albums The Journey Within (2003) and Moving Forward (2009).
Related reading: Yankees dynasty families of the late 1990s and MLB players who became professional musicians.