Ellen Heidingsfelder is best known to many football fans as the wife of TV host and businessman Cooper Manning. But her own story stands strong. She is a New Orleans attorney, a long-time community member, and a dedicated mother of three. This article gives a clear picture of her life in simple English, using verified, reliable facts.
Personal Information
Fact | Detail |
---|---|
Full name | Ellen Heidingsfelder (Ellen Heidingsfelder Manning) |
Profession | Attorney (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
Practice areas | Insurance defense, products liability |
Education | B.A., University of Virginia (1991); J.D., Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (1994) |
Bar admission | Louisiana (since 1994) |
Spouse | Cooper Manning (married 1999) |
Children | May (2002), Arch (2004), Heid (2006) |
Ties to New Orleans | Lifelong connection; family life and legal work based in New Orleans |
Honors | Academy of the Sacred Heart (New Orleans) Athletics Hall of Fame inductee (2015) |
Early life and education
Ellen grew up in New Orleans and stayed close to her hometown values: faith, family, school, and team spirit. After high school, she left Louisiana for college at the University of Virginia, where she earned a B.A. in 1991. She then returned to New Orleans to study law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, finishing her J.D. in 1994. Soon after, she was admitted to the Louisiana Bar. These details are listed on respected legal directories and professional records.
Ellen also keeps a link to her school community in New Orleans. The Academy of the Sacred Heart recognized her with an induction into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, which shows her long history with local school life and sport.
Legal career
Ellen works as an attorney in New Orleans. Public legal directories list her practice in areas like insurance defense and products liability, and note her active status in Louisiana. These listings also confirm her UVA degree year and Loyola law degree, giving a simple, verifiable view of her career path. While she is not a public-facing media figure, her steady legal work is clear from these sources.
A separate attorney listing places her contact base in Uptown New Orleans, further showing her long-term local practice. Together, these records paint a picture of a professional who chose stability and service in her home city.

Marriage to Cooper Manning
Ellen married Cooper Manning in 1999. Cooper is known for hosting “The Manning Hour” and for his role in business and sports media. Their wedding year and family details are confirmed by reputable people-focused outlets.
The couple has three children:
- May Manning (born 2002)
- Arch Manning (born 2004)
- Heid Manning (born 2006)
These dates and names are reported by respected publications.
Family life and community
Ellen and Cooper have raised their family in New Orleans. Their children all grew up with school sports and team values.
- May became a standout volleyball player at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, helping the team win at the state level.
- Arch is a well-known quarterback who now plays for the Texas Longhorns. National sports outlets often mention Ellen when they share Arch’s story and family background.
- Heid played center on the offensive line in high school and later joined his brother at Texas.
This mix of strong academics, sports, and close family shows the kind of home Ellen and Cooper have built together. The family stays supportive, often seen cheering each other on.
Public image
Ellen keeps a low profile. Unlike many people connected to famous families, she does not push for attention. Reliable sports and news sites that cover the Manning family mention her mainly in the context of motherhood, law, and community. She is known as a Louisiana native and an accomplished attorney in New Orleans.
Her choice to place family first, while continuing her legal career, helps explain why there are few direct interviews or long profiles about her. What we do have are solid records from legal directories and trusted outlets that confirm the key facts of her life.
Why her story matters
Ellen’s story is simple and strong. She shows that it is possible to balance work and family over many years. She chose a legal path, served clients in her own city, and supported her children as they chased their goals in school and sport. For many readers, this picture feels real and relatable.
- It is not about fame. It is about steady work.
- It is not only about football. It is also about education and community.
- It is not loud. It is consistent, with values that many families share.

Final thoughts
Ellen Heidingsfelder’s life is not about headlines. It is about family, law, and home. She studied hard, built a career in her city, and helped raise three children who found their own paths in sports and school. The records are clear: degrees from UVA and Loyola Law, a long-standing Louisiana law license, a 1999 marriage to Cooper, and three children who carry on the family’s competitive spirit. That steady path is inspiring in its own way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who is Ellen Heidingsfelder?
She is a New Orleans attorney and the wife of TV host and businessman Cooper Manning. - What does she do for work?
She practices law in Louisiana, with listed areas including insurance defense and products liability. - Where did she go to school?
She earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia (1991) and a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (1994). - When did she marry Cooper Manning?
They married in 1999. - How many children do they have?
They have three children: May, Arch, and Heid. - Is she active on social media?
Major profiles focus on her work and family; she keeps a low public profile, and coverage about her usually comes from news and sports outlets rather than her own accounts. - Was Ellen an athlete in school?
Her school community recognizes her legacy: she was inducted into the Academy of the Sacred Heart Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. - What sports do her children play?
May played volleyball and won state honors; Arch plays quarterback for the Texas Longhorns; Heid played center in high school and joined Arch at Texas. - Where does Ellen live and work?
She lives and works in New Orleans, Louisiana, where her legal practice is based. - Is there an official lawyer profile for her?
Yes, several directories list her education, practice areas, and bar information.
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