Bridget Rooney has a life full of famous names. She comes from the well-known Rooney family. Her family has a long link with the Pittsburgh Steelers. She is also the aunt of actresses Kate Mara and Rooney Mara. But that is only one part of her story.
Bridget Rooney also has a strong link to Hollywood. In the 1990s, she had a short relationship with actor Kevin Costner. They had a son named Liam Costner. Years later, Bridget married billionaire businessman Bill Koch and started a new part of her life.
Today, Bridget lives a much more private life than many people around her. She has been an actress, a mother, a wife, and a supporter of education. So, who is Bridget Rooney, and what is her story? Here is a closer look at her early life, famous family, career, and personal life.
Who Is Bridget Rooney?
Bridget Rooney, also known as Bridget Rooney Koch, is an American former actress and charity supporter. Her full name is Bridget Mary Rooney. She became known because of her famous family, but her own life also brought her into the public eye.
Her family is closely linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., started the famous football team. Bridget also became known in Hollywood because of her past relationship with Kevin Costner. Their son, Liam Costner, was born in 1996.
Later, Bridget married William “Bill” Koch. He is a billionaire businessman, art collector, and member of the famous Koch family. This means Bridget Rooney has links to sports, Hollywood, and big business. Still, she has never tried to live like a full-time star.
Bridget Rooney’s and Early Life
Bridget Rooney was reportedly born on May 26, 1962, in California, United States. Based on that date, she is 64 years old in 2026. Some details about her birth are found mainly on bio websites, so her exact birthday is not as well proven as other parts of her life.
Bridget grew up in a large and well-known family. The Rooney name was already famous before she was born. Her family had money and strong ties to sports and business. Still, Bridget has kept many details about her childhood away from the public.
She also grew up in a family with Irish and Catholic roots. Some reports say she later studied business after high school. However, clear details about her college life are hard to find. This is why it is best not to make strong claims about her school years.
Bridget Rooney profile summary and bio
| Full Name | Bridget Mary Rooney Koch |
| Known As | Bridget Rooney |
| Birth Date | May 26, 1962 (reported) |
| Age | 64 in 2026 |
| Birthplace | California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Tim Rooney, June Rooney |
| Grandfather | Art Rooney Sr. |
| Siblings | 5 (reported) |
| Profession | Former actress, charity supporter |
| Known For | Bill Koch’s wife |
| Acting Credit | Zombie or Not Zombie (2011) |
| Husband | Bill Koch |
| Married | 2005 |
| Former Partner | Kevin Costner |
| Children | Liam Costner, Kaitlin Koch |
| Famous Nieces | Kate Mara, Rooney Mara |
| Family | Rooney family |
| School Work | Oxbridge Academy |
| Net Worth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Life Today | Family, education, charity |
Bridget Rooney’s Parents and Siblings
Bridget Rooney is the daughter of Timothy James “Tim” Rooney and June Marraccaini Rooney. Her father came from the famous Rooney family. He was the son of Art Rooney Sr., the man who started the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tim Rooney was also active in business. He was linked to Yonkers Raceway and the Palm Beach Kennel Club. So, Bridget grew up around both sports and business. Her family name opened the door to a world that very few people get to see.
Bridget reportedly grew up with five siblings. They include brothers Thomas Joseph Rooney and Timothy James Rooney Jr., as well as sisters Kathleen, Cara, and Margaret. One of these family links later connected Bridget to two famous Hollywood stars.
Bridget Rooney’s Famous Family
To understand Bridget Rooney, it helps to know a little about the Rooney family. Her grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. At first, the team was known as the Pittsburgh Pirates. It later became the Steelers.
The Rooney family stayed closely tied to the team for many years. Art Rooney Sr.’s son Dan Rooney later played a major role in running the Steelers. Over time, the team became one of the best-known names in American football.
The family also had other business interests. Art Rooney Sr. bought the Palm Beach Kennel Club in 1969. Other members of the family later helped run it. This is why the Rooney name became known far beyond football.
For Bridget, this meant growing up in a family with a long history. Yet she did not simply follow the same path as her grandfather or other family members. Her own life would soon connect the Rooney name with Hollywood in a very personal way.
How Is Bridget Rooney Related to Kate and Rooney Mara?
Many people are surprised to learn that Bridget Rooney is related to Kate Mara and Rooney Mara. The two sisters are well-known actresses. Kate has appeared in movies and TV shows, while Rooney Mara has starred in several major films.
The family link is quite simple. Bridget’s sister Kathleen Rooney Mara is the mother of Kate and Rooney Mara. That makes Bridget their aunt. So, when you see the Mara sisters on screen, they are also part of Bridget Rooney’s wider family.
The family story becomes even more interesting here. Through their mother, Kate and Rooney Mara are part of the Rooney family linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Through their father, they are part of the Mara family linked to the New York Giants.
This gives the family a rare mix of football and Hollywood. Bridget Rooney sits right in the middle of that story. Yet unlike her famous nieces, acting never became a major career for her.
Bridget Rooney’s Short Acting Career
Bridget Rooney did try acting, but her time on screen was very short. She appeared in the 2011 short horror film Zombie or Not Zombie. The film was only about eight minutes long.
Bridget played Tess in the short film. This remains her best-known acting credit. There is no strong sign that she tried to turn this role into a long Hollywood career.
Because of this, calling Bridget Rooney a “Hollywood actress” can give readers the wrong idea. She did act, but movies were only a small part of her life. She became much better known for her family, her children, and her later work with Bill Koch.
Her acting story is still interesting. Bridget was already surrounded by Hollywood links. Her nieces became successful actresses, and one of the biggest movie stars of the 1990s would also become an important person in her life.
Bridget Rooney and Kevin Costner
Bridget Rooney’s name gained much more public attention in the mid-1990s because of Kevin Costner. At the time, Costner was already one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He was known for hit films such as Dances with Wolves, The Bodyguard, and Field of Dreams.
Kevin had ended his long marriage to his first wife, Cindy Silva, in 1994. Not long after that, he and Bridget had a short relationship. Older reports say Bridget was working at a TV station in Aspen around this period.
Their relationship did not last long, but it changed Bridget’s life. She became pregnant. The news soon reached the press because Kevin Costner was such a famous actor.
Some old reports made strong claims about how Kevin felt about the pregnancy. Those stories came from gossip reports and people around the couple, so they should not all be treated as proven facts. What is clear is that Bridget chose to have the baby and spoke with confidence about who the father was.
The child would become Liam Costner. His birth created a lasting family link between Bridget Rooney and one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. It also started a new chapter in Bridget’s life as a mother.
Bridget Rooney’s Son Liam Costner
Bridget Rooney gave birth to Liam Costner in November 1996. Some reports give his exact birth date as November 15. Liam is Bridget’s first child and Kevin Costner’s fourth child.
Older reports say a paternity test later confirmed that Kevin was Liam’s father. Reports also said Kevin set up a trust for his son. Bridget, however, remained the main person raising Liam during his early years.
Liam grew up very differently from some children of Hollywood stars. His mother kept much of his life private. Reports say Bridget later moved with him to Florida. Kevin reportedly spent some time with Liam, but old reports said the visits were not always regular.
Bridget Rooney and Bill Koch’s Love Story
After her relationship with Kevin Costner ended, Bridget Rooney moved on with her life. She was raising Liam and staying mostly away from Hollywood news. Then she met William “Bill” Koch, a rich American businessman.
Bill Koch comes from the famous Koch family. He built much of his business life around energy and started Oxbow Carbon. He is also known for his love of art, old items, wine, and sailing. In 1992, his team won the famous America’s Cup sailing race.
Bridget and Bill soon became close. One fun story from their early days shows Bridget’s strong side. Bill had played tennis for about 20 years. Bridget learned the game in only a few months. By the end of the summer, she was already beating him. It became a funny part of their love story.
The couple married in 2005. Their marriage brought together two very famous American families. Bridget came from the Rooney family, while Bill came from the Koch family. But behind those big family names, they started building a home and family of their own.
Bridget Rooney’s Children and Family Life
Bridget Rooney is the mother of two children. Her first child is Liam Costner, whom she shares with Kevin Costner. Her second child is a daughter named Kaitlin “K.K.” Koch, whom she shares with Bill Koch.
Kaitlin was reportedly born in 2006, about one year after Bridget and Bill married. Unlike children from many rich and famous families, she has mostly stayed away from the public eye. Bridget and Bill have not shared every part of their daughter’s life with the media.
When Bridget married Bill, she also became part of his larger family. Bill already had children from earlier relationships. They include Wyatt, Charlotte, William, and Robin. Bridget therefore became a stepmother as well as a mother of two.
Liam also became part of this new family. Reports over the years have said that Bill formed a close bond with him. One profile even described Bill as taking Liam into his family as his own. This gave Liam a family life that went beyond his famous biological father.
Family also seems very important to Bill. He has spoken about wanting his children to get along after he is gone. His own family had long fights over money and business, and he has said he does not want his children to face the same problems.
For Bridget Rooney, this part of her life appears to be very important. She could have spent years chasing Hollywood fame. Instead, much of her adult life has centered on her children, husband, and home.
Bridget Rooney and Oxbridge Academy
One of the most meaningful parts of Bridget Rooney’s story is her work in education. Bridget and Bill Koch helped start Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. The school opened in 2011.
The idea was not simply to build another private school. Bill wanted students to learn by doing things, asking questions, and working on real projects. Bridget has also spoken proudly about the school and what it gives young people.
Bridget once joked about Bill’s role in creating the school by saying he had basically “added water.” It was a light way of talking about a very large project. The school became one of the things the couple was most proud to support.
Money has also been given to help students attend Oxbridge. Financial aid has been an important part of the school. This means some students can attend even if their families cannot pay the full cost.
Bridget and Bill have also hosted events to raise money for the school. At one event held at their Palm Beach home, millions of dollars were raised for school programs. Their names have continued to appear among Oxbridge supporters in more recent school reports.
This part of Bridget’s life tells us something important. Her story is not only about being Kevin Costner’s former partner or Bill Koch’s wife. Education became a major part of the life she built with her husband.
Bridget Rooney’s Charity Work and Life Today
Bridget Rooney has also spent time supporting charity causes. She has appeared at many school and charity events over the years, mainly around Palm Beach. Photos have shown her attending events that support children, schools, and local groups.
Some online reports connect Bridget with several other charity groups. However, not every claim has strong public proof. What we can clearly see is her long link with Oxbridge Academy and her support for education.
Bridget has also attended major social events with Bill. Still, she does not appear to chase media attention. She is very different from a star who shares every part of life with the public. She often appears at an event and then returns to a much quieter family life.
Her marriage has also lasted for more than 20 years. Bridget and Bill married in 2005, and they remain known publicly as a couple in 2026. Their long marriage is another important part of her story.
(FAQs)
Who is Bridget Rooney’s son?
Bridget Rooney’s son is Liam Costner, born in 1996. His father is Hollywood star Kevin Costner.
How old is Bridget Rooney and when is her birthday?
Bridget Rooney is 64 years old in 2026. Her birthday is widely reported as May 26, 1962, though the exact date is not strongly confirmed by major sources
What is Bridget Rooney’s net worth?
Her exact net worth is not publicly known. Online estimates range from $2 million to $20 million, but these numbers are not confirmed.
Who is Bridget Rooney’s husband?
Bridget Rooney’s husband is billionaire businessman William “Bill” Koch. They married in 2005 and have a daughter named Kaitlin.
What is Bridget Rooney’s nationality?
Bridget Rooney is American. She was reportedly born in California and comes from the famous Rooney family
Final Thoughts
Bridget Rooney has lived a life connected to some very famous people. She was born into the Rooney family, which has deep ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers. She is also the aunt of Hollywood actresses Kate Mara and Rooney Mara.
Her own Hollywood link became much bigger when she had a short relationship with Kevin Costner. Their son, Liam Costner, was born in 1996. Although that relationship ended, it remains one of the main reasons people first became interested in Bridget’s personal life.
But Bridget’s story did not stop with Kevin Costner. She later found love with billionaire businessman Bill Koch. They married in 2005, had daughter Kaitlin, and built a large family together.
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