Ellen Heidingsfelder is an American attorney from New Orleans. She is also known as the wife of Cooper Manning and the mother of May, Arch, and Heid Manning.
Ellen has built a legal career of her own and also has a strong sports background. She played volleyball and track when she was younger and later became part of the Academy of the Sacred Heart Athletics Hall of Fame.
Ellen Heidingsfelder’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ellen Heidingsfelder |
| Married name | Ellen Manning / Ellen Heidingsfelder Manning |
| Reported date of birth | December 20, 1968 |
| Age | 57 in 2026 |
| Birthplace | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Attorney |
| College | University of Virginia |
| Law school | Loyola University New Orleans College of Law |
| Husband | Cooper Manning |
| Married | 1999 |
| Children | May, Arch, and Heid Manning |
| Known for | Legal career and connection to the Manning family |
| Social media | No known public account |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Ellen Heidingsfelder’s Age and Early Life
Ellen Heidingsfelder was reportedly born on December 20, 1968, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
That makes her 57 years old in 2026.
She grew up in New Orleans and is reported to have been raised in a Catholic family.
Her Parents and Siblings
Ellen’s father is reported as Charles E. Heidingsfelder.
Her mother is listed as Dot Heidingsfelder in one source and Dota Heidingsfelder in another.
The sources also differ on her siblings. Jane and Molly are both mentioned, while another source also lists Silvia.
Because the information is inconsistent, the exact number of her siblings is not fully clear.
Her Education
Ellen attended the University of Virginia for her undergraduate studies.
She later studied law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
After earning her law degree, she began working as an attorney in New Orleans.
Her School Sports Career
Ellen was active in sports when she was younger.
She played:
- Volleyball
- Track and field
She was a student at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans.
She became a standout volleyball player and reportedly helped the school win a state championship.
Volleyball Achievement
Ellen was named MVP of the 1986 state championship game.
Her athletic background later received further recognition.
In 2015, she was reportedly inducted into the Academy of the Sacred Heart Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its first class.
Her Legal Career
Ellen Heidingsfelder has worked as an attorney in New Orleans for many years.
One source says she has more than 30 years of legal experience.
She has been linked to the law firm Winsberg, Heidingsfelder & Gamble, LLC.
The supplied sources disagree about her exact legal specialty.
One says her work includes:
- Insurance defense
- Products liability
Another says she works in family law and handles matters such as:
- Divorce
- Child custody
- Child support
- Property division
- Prenuptial agreements
- Domestic abuse cases
- Intrafamily adoptions
Because the sources conflict, it is safest to describe Ellen as an experienced New Orleans attorney without limiting her work to one area.
How Ellen Met Cooper Manning

Ellen Heidingsfelder and Cooper Manning knew each other when they were young.
Both were raised in New Orleans and reportedly had mutual friends.
One source says they began dating after Cooper’s football career ended because of a serious spinal condition.
Marriage to Cooper Manning
Ellen Heidingsfelder and Cooper married in 1999.
One source gives March 1999 as the wedding month.
By 2026, they have been married for about 27 years.
They have three children together.
Their Daughter May Manning
May Manning is Ellen and Cooper’s oldest child.
She was born on March 12, 2002.
Like her mother, May played volleyball at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
She was part of the school team that won the 2020 Division IV state volleyball championship.
May’s Education and Career
May later attended the University of Virginia, the same university her mother reportedly attended.
She graduated in May 2025 with:
- A degree in business
- A minor in entrepreneurship
Since August 2025, she has reportedly worked as a Brand Marketing Coordinator at Excel Sports Management.
Their Son Arch Manning
Archibald Charles Manning, known as Arch Manning, was born on April 27, 2004.
He attended Isidore Newman School in New Orleans and became a standout quarterback.
He was team captain during his senior season in 2022.
Arch later joined the University of Texas at Austin and became a quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
He made his college debut in 2023.
Their Son Heid Manning
Heid Manning was born on April 20, 2006.
He also attended Isidore Newman School.
He played football as a center on the offensive line and often snapped the ball to his older brother Arch.
He has also been linked to lacrosse.
He later attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Who Is Cooper Manning?
Cooper Manning is an American television personality, entrepreneur, and former football player.
He is the oldest son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning.
His younger brothers are:
- Peyton Manning
- Eli Manning
Both Peyton and Eli became famous NFL quarterbacks.
Cooper Manning’s Football Career
Cooper was also a talented football player when he was younger.
His playing career ended after he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 1992.
He later had surgery and moved into business and television instead of professional football.
Ellen’s Connection to the Manning Family
Through her marriage to Cooper, Ellen is part of one of the best-known football families in the United States.
Her father-in-law is Archie Manning.
Her mother-in-law is Olivia Manning.
Her brothers-in-law are Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.
Her son Arch is continuing the family football tradition at the college level.
Charity and Community Work
One source says Ellen has been involved in the Manning family’s work with Children’s Hospital New Orleans.
The family became connected to the Manning Family Children’s Hospital project in 2025.
The reported plans include improvements to pediatric care and hospital facilities.
This work has been described as part of a larger effort to support children and families in the Gulf South.
Social Media
Ellen Heidingsfelder keeps a low public profile.
The supplied sources say she does not have a known public:
- Instagram account
- LinkedIn profile
- Other major social media account
She often appears in family photos shared by Cooper Manning.
Ellen Heidingsfelder’s Net Worth
Ellen Heidingsfelder’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some websites estimate it at between $800,000 and $1 million, but these figures are not supported by verified financial records.
What Is Ellen Heidingsfelder Doing Now?
Ellen Heidingsfelder continues to be known for her legal career and family life in New Orleans.
She remains connected to the Manning family and has also been linked to community and charitable work.
She does not maintain a highly public profile.
Facts About Ellen Heidingsfelder
- Ellen is an American attorney from New Orleans.
- She was reportedly born on December 20, 1968.
- She attended the University of Virginia.
- She later studied law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
- She played volleyball and track when she was younger.
- She was reportedly the MVP of a 1986 state volleyball championship game.
- She was inducted into the Academy of the Sacred Heart Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
- She married Cooper Manning in 1999.
- They have three children: May, Arch, and Heid.
- Her son Arch plays quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.
- Her daughter May also played championship volleyball.
- Ellen does not have a widely known public social media account.
- Her personal net worth is not reliably known.
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