Meet Eric Johnson, Jessica Simpson’s husband and ‘incredible’ dad: the former NFL tight end for the San Francisco 49ers and his pop star wife boast millions combined – and live it up with their 3 kids

May 26 , 2024

Eric Johnson and his wife Jessica Simpson pose outside their home before going on a date night in August 2021. Photo: @jessicasimpson/Instagram

Eric Johnson is known as a former professional American football star who spent several seasons playing in the NFL. These days, though, he’s more famous for being the husband of American I Wanna Love You Forever singer, actress and fashion mogul Jessica Simpson, and a loving and devoted father of three young children.

The couple have been together since 2010 and have built a happy, supportive family, creating a life where they can each be their best. If Simpson’s Instagram is anything to go by, the family also enjoys plenty of holidays during their down time.

So what do we know about the now-retired NFL tight end? Let’s take a closer look.

Eric Johnson enjoyed an impressive football career

Eric Johnson in his San Francisco 49s uniform in a game in California, in 2004. Photo: Getty Images

Before coming into the public eye as the partner of a famous blonde American pop star, Johnson had a successful career in American football, both at the collegiate level as a wide receiver and professionally in the NFL as a tight end.

Per Hollywoodlife, the 190cm tall (6ft 3 inch) athlete played football while at Yale University, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2001. Some years later, in 2007, after skipping two seasons due to injuries, he was signed with the New Orleans Saints, but he retired from the sport soon after in 2008.

How did Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson meet?

Eric Johnson with wife Jessica Simpson while on a family holiday in Aspen, Colorado, in 2022. Photo: @jessicasimpson/Instagram

Both Johnson and Simpson had previous marriages. Simpson was famously married to Nick Lachey, 98 Degrees lead singer and American TV personality. She’d also famously had relationships with singer John Mayer and Dallas Cowboys footballer Tony Romo.

Johnson’s first wife of five years was stylist Keri D’Angelo. The couple were married from 2005 to 2010, per ET Online. In fact, they were still legally married and in the process of getting divorced when Johnson first met and started dating the American pop star in May 2010.

When Simpson released her memoir Open Book in 2020, she revealed that the couple met when a mutual friend invited the former footballer to a party at Simpson’s house … and their connection was undeniable.

In a 2020 interview with ET, Simpson said of their meeting, “It was definitely instant. I think he moved in, like, a month later!” She continued, “We were both ready for the real deal.”

What is Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson’s relationship like?

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson pose together while on holiday in March 2023. Photo: @jessicasimpson/Instagram

The famous pair said their “I dos” four years after they started dating. Per People, the fairy tale wedding took place over the 2014 Fourth of July weekend at a private ceremony on a Californian ranch. More than 250 guests attended the wedding, including the bride’s famous sister Ashlee Simpson, as well as celebrities like Jessica Alba and Scrubs star Donald Faison.

Jessica Simpson shared this snap with husband Eric Johnson and their daughter, Birdie, in March 2023. Photo: @jessicasimpson/Instagram

In 2024, almost 10 years after the couple’s dreamy nuptials, Simpson and Johnson are still the definition of couple goals. This is despite recent rumours of trouble in paradise that were fuelled by Simpson posting pictures of herself on Instagram without her wedding ring, per US Weekly.

According to TMZ, however, the couple were seen out in public in February enjoying a romantic Valentine’s Day date night. Simpson further shut down any speculation of a split on Instagram when she shared some happy snapshots of the family’s spring break holiday in Mexico.

How many children do Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson have?

Jessica Simpson shared this family photo with husband Eric Johnson and children Birdie, Maxwell and Ace, in May 2023. Photo: @jessicasimpson/Instagram

Over the course of their relationship, Simpson has proclaimed publicly both on her social media and in her book how great of a husband and father Johnson is. The couple share three kids together: Maxwell, 11, Ace, 10 and Birdie, five.

Johnson is such a supportive partner that when Simpson decided to quit drinking in 2017, the former footballer did the same, going sober in support of his wife’s efforts. In her memoir, Simpson recalled, “Eric gave up drinking the second I did … He said, ‘I’ll do it with you, babe.’ It was, like, no biggie, and he hasn’t gone back or looked back.”

“It’s just the way he is,” she continued. “He’s a very selfless and loving person who is the most incredible father on the planet.”

What is Eric Johnson’s net worth?

Eric Johnson on a spring break staycation with wife Jessica Simpson. Photo: @jessicasimpson/Instagram

Johnson has amassed an impressive personal fortune. According to Celebrity Net Worth, although much of his wealth is a result of his marriage to superstar and successful businesswoman Simpson, Johnson’s estimated net worth is some US$10 million. Combined with his wife’s mega millions, the couple are reportedly worth a whopping US$210 million.

Fame and celebrity

Johnson spent several seasons as a pro footballer in the NFL; he was drafted in 2001 by the San Francisco 49s but was beset by injuries before moving to the New Orleans Saints and retiring in 2008
He met his now wife Simpson at a house party in 2010, and the pair knew instantly they’d found the ‘real deal’ – they married 4 years later and now share 3 children