Kim Pegula, co-owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, suffered a medical emergency in June 2022 when she went into cardiac arrest. The incident caused a significant brain injury, leaving her with expressive aphasia, which makes it difficult to communicate, and memory issues. This life-changing event led to ongoing health challenges that have impacted her ability to take part in her business roles.
Following her health crisis, Kim was declared legally incapacitated in March 2023. A court appointed her husband, Terry Pegula, as her plenary guardian to manage her affairs. Her ownership interests were placed into a trust overseen by Terry and a business associate. In addition, their daughter, Laura Pegula, has been given a minority share of the Buffalo Bills, ensuring family involvement in the team’s operations while Kim continues her recovery.
Despite her limitations, Kim has shown signs of progress. In July 2024, she made a rare public appearance at Bills training camp. She was helped onto the field, joined the players in a post-practice huddle, and shared smiles and encouragement. This moment was celebrated by fans, players, and staff as an important step forward in her recovery journey.
However, Kim still faces serious challenges. While she can read, write, and understand much of what is said to her, she continues to struggle with expressing herself and with memory recall. Her daughter, tennis star Jessica Pegula, has shared that her mother’s progress is ongoing but that her full recovery is uncertain. Intensive therapy remains a key part of her daily life.
Kim Pegula
Kim Pegula’s health has improved enough for her to make special public appearances, but she continues to live with significant cognitive and communication difficulties. She remains legally incapacitated, and leadership responsibilities have shifted to her family and trusted associates. Her recovery has been marked by resilience, and the Buffalo community continues to support her with hope and encouragement for the future.
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