Who is Sheri Kersch Schultz? Her Life, Work, and Family as Howard Schultz’s Wife
Sheri Kersch Schultz is an American philanthropist and business leader who co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation alongside her husband, Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks. While many people know Howard Schultz for building Starbucks into a worldwide coffee company, fewer recognize the important role Sheri has played in both his success and in creating opportunities for young people and veterans across America.
Detailed Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sheri Kersch Schultz |
| Birth Date | April 2, 1954 |
| Age | 71 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Lima, Ohio, United States |
| Education | Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, University of Denver |
| Occupation | Philanthropist, Foundation President, Business Executive |
| Known For | Co-founder and President of Schultz Family Foundation |
| Spouse | Howard Schultz (married since 1982) |
| Children | Two (Jordan Schultz and Addison Schultz) |
| Current Residence | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3-4 billion (shared with husband) |
Early Life and Education
Sheri Kersch Schultz grew up in Lima, Ohio, in the American Midwest. She came from a close and loving family with strong traditional values. Her childhood was quite different from her future husband’s experience growing up in Brooklyn housing projects.
After finishing high school in Ohio, Sheri went to the University of Denver, where she studied political science and earned her degree. Later, she also studied interior design, which helped her in the early days of Starbucks when she contributed to designing the company’s first stores.
Meeting Howard Schultz
The story of how Sheri and Howard met is quite romantic. On July 4th weekend in 1978, they both happened to be at the beach in the Hamptons, New York. Howard was immediately attracted to Sheri. In his book “Pour Your Heart Into It,” he wrote about her wavy blonde hair, natural energy, and impressive style. But what really caught his attention was that she was well-grounded with solid Midwest values.
They started dating, and Howard quickly realized that Sheri was a wonderful person. After four years of being together, they got married in 1982. At that time, Howard was just starting his career and did not have much money, so they had a simple wedding ceremony.
The Woman Behind Starbucks’ Success
Many people do not realize that Sheri played a critical role in making Starbucks possible. When Howard was trying to build the company in its early days, the couple had very little money. Sheri was eight months pregnant with their first child and still working at her job to support the family. Howard was not earning any salary while trying to create his coffee business.
During this difficult time, Sheri’s father told Howard to give up his coffee hobby and get a real job. Howard became upset and cried, but Sheri disagreed with her father. She told Howard, “We’re going to follow these dreams that you have. We’re going to see this through.” Without her support and courage during those tough months, Starbucks might never have existed.
Schultz Family Foundation: Creating Opportunities
In 1996, Sheri and Howard co-founded the Schultz Family Foundation together. Sheri has served as president of the foundation since it started. The foundation works on a simple but powerful idea: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
The foundation focuses on two main groups of people:
Young People: The foundation helps young adults between 16 and 24 years old who are not in school and do not have jobs. About 4.6 million young Americans fall into this category. Sheri believes these young people have potential but need the right opportunities to succeed.
Military Veterans: The foundation also helps military veterans who served after September 11, 2001. Through a program called Onward Veterans, they help these men and women move from military life to civilian life successfully.
Sheri Kersch Schultz works hard to bring together businesses, non-profit organizations, and government leaders to create new solutions. She is passionate about making sure every person can access the American dream, regardless of where they come from.
Family Life and Children
Sheri and Howard have been married for over 40 years and have two children together:
Jordan Schultz (also known as Eliahu Jordan Schultz) was born in 1986. He is a sports writer and NFL insider who currently works for Bleacher Report. He previously wrote for The Huffington Post and worked as an analyst for ESPN and Yahoo Sports. Jordan is married to Breanna Hawes Schultz, and they have children together.
Addison Schultz was born in 1990. She graduated from New York University and works as a social work clinician at the New York Foundling. Like her mother, Addison cares about helping others. She married Tal Hirshberg in June 2017. Tal is a Duke and Emory graduate who works in entertainment and public affairs.
The Schultz family lives in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood in Washington State. They also own a luxury property in Greenwich Village, New York, and have a summer home in East Hampton.
Sheri’s Work Style and Values
People who work with Sheri describe her as hands-on and innovative in her approach to helping others. She does not just write checks; she gets involved in understanding the problems and finding real solutions. She has been a volunteer and advocate for at-risk youth for many years.
Sheri Kersch Schultz recognized early in her work that the system of social support in America was broken. Many motivated people could not escape poverty or homelessness, even when they wanted to improve their lives. This understanding drives her work at the foundation.
She has spoken at many events, including being the keynote speaker at YouthBuild USA, where she shared the foundation’s mission and work. Her husband Howard praised her dedication, calling it “an inspiration.”
Supporting Important Causes
Beyond the Schultz Family Foundation, Sheri supports many other causes. She attended the GLSEN Respect Awards, which supports LGBTQ+ youth in schools. She has also been involved with events supporting environmental causes and education programs.
Her work shows that she believes in creating a fair society where everyone has chances to succeed, regardless of their background.
The Schultz Partnership
What makes Howard and Sheri’s relationship special is how they complement each other. Howard is known for his business skills and big vision for Starbucks. Sheri brings grounded values, careful thinking, and a deep commitment to helping others.
They both share a belief in treating people with dignity and creating opportunities. When Starbucks went public in 1992, the company was worth $250 million, and Sheri and Howard were worth $25 million. Today, with Starbucks valued at much more, they are billionaires who use their wealth to help others.
The couple has shown that success is not just about making money but about using that success to make positive changes in the world.
Conclusion
Sheri Kersch Schultz is much more than “Howard Schultz’s wife.” She is a dedicated philanthropist, a supportive partner who made Starbucks possible, and a leader working to create opportunities for young people and veterans. Her quiet but powerful influence shows that real leadership does not always need the spotlight. Through the Schultz Family Foundation and her personal values, Sheri continues to make a difference in thousands of lives across America.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How did Sheri Kersch Schultz meet Howard Schultz?
They met on July 4th weekend in 1978 at the beach in the Hamptons, New York. They dated for four years and married in 1982.
2. What does the Schultz Family Foundation do?
The foundation helps young people aged 16-24 who are not in school or working, and military veterans transitioning to civilian life through various programs and opportunities.
3. What role did Sheri play in Starbucks’ early success?
Sheri supported the family financially while eight months pregnant when Howard had no income. She encouraged him to follow his dreams and helped design the early Starbucks stores.
4. How many children do Sheri and Howard Schultz have?
They have two children: Jordan Schultz (born 1986), a sports writer for Bleacher Report, and Addison Schultz (born 1990), a social work clinician.
5. Where does Sheri Kersch Schultz live now?
Sheri lives in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood with her husband. They also own properties in Greenwich Village, New York, and East Hampton.
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