Cris Carter is a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver who became one of the most feared pass-catchers of the 1990s during his years with the Minnesota Vikings. Off the field, his personal life includes a decades-long first marriage that ended in a public divorce, followed by a second marriage to a woman he met during his broadcasting career. Here’s a full look at what’s known about Cris Carter’s life, both marriages, and his career.
Who is Cris Carter?
Cris Carter is a retired American football wide receiver and current sports broadcaster, best known for his 12 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
He grew up in Troy, Ohio, alongside five siblings — including brother Butch Carter, who briefly played in the NBA — and starred at Middletown High School before playing college football at Ohio State University.
Carter was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 after a career that included eight Pro Bowl selections, three All-Pro honors, and stints leading the NFL in receptions (1994) and receiving touchdowns (1995, 1997, 1999).
Cris Carter’s Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cris Darryl Carter |
| Nickname | Not publicly known |
| Profession | Retired NFL Wide Receiver, Sports Broadcaster, Ordained Minister |
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1965 |
| Birthplace | Troy, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings |
Carter began his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles before being claimed off waivers by the Vikings in 1990, where he built the bulk of his Hall of Fame résumé.
He also played briefly for the Miami Dolphins at the end of his career and later became an ordained minister and a fixture in sports media, including a long run on Fox Sports 1’s First Things First.
Who is Cris Carter Wife?
Cris Carter has been married twice. He was first married to Melanie Carter, formerly Melanie Morgan, starting in 1990 — the same year he signed with the Vikings.
Carter and Melanie were together for 27 years before divorcing, with court filings from around 2016–2017 describing the marriage as “irretrievably broken” after years of separation. The divorce became contentious, with disputes over alimony, access to financial records, and the couple’s Boca Raton, Florida home, which Melanie was ultimately awarded and later listed for $2.3 million.
Carter later married Susannah Baumann, whom he met while working at ESPN, where she was a makeup artist for the network. The two wed in 2018 and have a son together named Austin; both have kept a relatively private, low-key social media presence since marrying.
Family and Kids
Cris Carter and his first wife, Melanie, had two children together: son Duron Carter, who went on to play professional football himself, including stints in the Canadian Football League, and daughter Monterae Carter.
With his second wife, Susannah, Carter has a son named Austin, and the couple is reported to live in New York City.
Divorce and Public Incidents
Carter’s split from Melanie drew media attention beyond the courtroom. In 2014, while the two were still married, Melanie was involved in a widely reported altercation at a doubles tennis match in Boca Raton, Florida, where she and another player got into a physical dispute that ended with both women receiving minor injuries; no arrests were made.
His relationship with Susannah Baumann also became public in 2015, while Carter was still married to Melanie, contributing to the circumstances surrounding his eventual divorce.
Cris Carter’s Net Worth 2026
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $16 million |
Carter’s wealth comes primarily from his NFL playing career, along with years of work as a television analyst and additional business ventures, including a security company he owned with his brothers that was sold in 2012.
As with most figures tied to athletes and broadcasters, exact net worth estimates vary by source and should be treated as approximations.
Career
Carter was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987 but was released in 1990 after a locker room dispute with then-coach Buddy Ryan, who famously said Carter “only knew how to catch touchdowns.”
He was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings later that year and went on to become one of the franchise’s greatest receivers, retiring as one of the NFL’s all-time leaders in career receptions and touchdown catches.
After retiring from playing, Carter transitioned into sports broadcasting, working for ESPN before joining Fox Sports 1, where he became a longtime co-host of First Things First.
Lesser-Known Facts About Cris Carter
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Ordained minister | Became an ordained minister following his playing career |
| Family athletics | Brother Butch Carter played in the NBA; son Duron played pro football in the CFL |
| Buddy Ryan cut | Was released by the Eagles in 1990 over a dispute with head coach Buddy Ryan |
| Hall of Fame class | Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 |
| Business background | Co-owned a security company in Atlanta with his brothers, sold in 2012 |
Carter’s release from the Eagles early in his career is often cited as one of the more infamous personnel decisions in NFL history, given how his career unfolded afterward in Minnesota.
Cris Carter Social Media
Cris Carter remains a public figure through his broadcasting work, though details about his current marriage to Susannah Baumann are rarely shared publicly, as the couple keeps their family life largely private.
FAQs
Q: Who is Cris Carter’s wife?
A: He’s currently married to Susannah Baumann, whom he wed in 2018. He was previously married to Melanie Carter for 27 years before their divorce.
Q: How old is Cris Carter?
A: He was born on November 25, 1965, making him 60 years old as of 2026.
Q: What is Cris Carter’s net worth?
A: Estimates place it at around $16 million.
Q: Does Cris Carter have kids?
A: Yes, he has two children, Duron and Monterae, with his first wife, Melanie, and a son, Austin, with his second wife, Susannah.