Teresa Earnhardt, the widow of legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, has been one of the most prominent figures in the sport for over two decades. Since the death of her husband in a crash during the 2001 Daytona 500, Teresa has been involved in various business ventures and charitable causes. In this article, we will take a closer look at what Teresa Earnhardt is doing now.
Teresa Earnhardt’s Early Life and Career
Before we delve into what Teresa Earnhardt is doing now, let’s take a quick look at her early life and career. Teresa Houston was born on October 29, 1958, in Hickory, North Carolina. She met Dale Earnhardt for the first time in 1974 when she was just 16 years old. The two got married in 1982 and had a daughter, Taylor Nicole, in 1988.
Teresa was an integral part of Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI), the racing team and business that Dale Earnhardt founded in 1996. She served as the CEO of DEI after Dale’s death until the company was sold to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2009. Under Teresa’s leadership, DEI won numerous championships and became one of the most successful racing teams in NASCAR history.
Teresa Earnhardt’s Business Ventures
After DEI was sold, Teresa Earnhardt focused on various business ventures. She founded the Teresa Earnhardt Collection, a line of home furnishings and accessories, in 2010. The collection includes bedding, bath linens, dinnerware, and other home decor items. Teresa has also been involved in real estate development, owning several properties in North Carolina and Florida.
In 2013, Teresa filed a lawsuit against Kerry Earnhardt, the eldest son of Dale Earnhardt, over the use of the name “Earnhardt Collection.” Kerry had launched a line of homes under the name “Earnhardt Collection by Schumacher Homes,” which Teresa claimed was too similar to her own brand. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2015, and both parties agreed to use different names for their respective brands.
Teresa Earnhardt’s Charitable Work
Teresa Earnhardt has also been involved in various charitable causes over the years. She founded the Dale Earnhardt Foundation in 2002, shortly after Dale’s death, to honor his memory and support charitable organizations. The foundation has raised millions of dollars for causes such as children’s charities, education, and wildlife conservation.
In addition to her work with the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, Teresa has also been involved with the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has donated millions of dollars to the medical center’s cancer research and treatment programs. In 2014, the center named its Comprehensive Cancer Center after Teresa in recognition of her contributions.
Teresa Earnhardt’s Personal Life
Teresa Earnhardt has been notoriously private about her personal life since Dale’s death. She rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances, preferring to keep a low profile. However, she has been romantically linked to several men over the years, including former DEI executive Max Siegel and former NFL player Jerome Bettis.
Teresa currently resides in Mooresville, North Carolina, where she owns a 300-acre estate known as “Dale’s Place.” The estate includes a 200,000-square-foot facility that houses Dale Earnhardt Inc. memorabilia and serves as a tribute to Dale’s life and career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Teresa Earnhardt has been involved in various business ventures and charitable causes since the death of her husband Dale Earnhardt. She founded the Dale Earnhardt Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars for charitable organizations, and has also been involved in real estate development and home furnishings. Despite her high public profile, she has remained private about her personal life and rarely gives interviews.
