Ava Frances Manning is the eldest daughter of retired NFL quarterback Eli Manning and philanthropist Abby McGrew Manning. Born on March 21, 2011, she is part of the most well-known football family in American sports history — one that includes her grandfather, Archie Manning, and her uncle, Peyton Manning, both celebrated NFL figures. As of 2026, Ava is 14 years old and growing up largely outside the public eye, by the deliberate choice of her parents.
The Manning family has consistently kept their children shielded from media attention despite Eli’s two Super Bowl championships and his status as one of the most recognizable athletes in New York Giants history. Ava Frances has appeared at select public events alongside her family, but her day-to-day life focuses on school, sports, and family. Her story reflects how celebrity parents navigate the tension between public fame and private family life.
Quick Bio: Ava Frances Manning
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ava Frances Manning |
| Date of Birth | March 21, 2011 |
| Age (2026) | 14 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | Eli Manning (former NFL quarterback, New York Giants) |
| Mother | Abby McGrew Manning (philanthropist) |
| Siblings | Lucy Thomas Manning, Caroline Olivia Manning, Charles “Charlie” Elisha Manning |
| Grandfather | Archie Manning (former NFL quarterback) |
| Uncles | Peyton Manning, Cooper Manning |
| Current Residence | Summit, New Jersey |
| Known For | Eldest daughter of Eli Manning; the Manning football dynasty |
| Sports | Cheerleading, tennis, soccer |
Early Life and Birth
Ava Frances Manning was born on March 21, 2011, in the United States. Her birth made headlines almost immediately — not for anything she did, but for who her father was. Eli Manning had already won Super Bowl XLII in February 2008 and was one of the most popular athletes in New York. When ESPN’s Chris Mortensen first reported her arrival, she weighed seven pounds and four ounces.
Eli Manning described fatherhood in terms that carried more weight than most post-game interviews. “The greatest thing about being a dad is that you never realize you can love something immediately in your life,” he told People magazine. “The first time that you see your daughter, every day, just wanting to be around her and telling her that you love her.”
Ava was born into a family that had already defined football in America across multiple generations. Her grandfather, Archie Manning, played for the New Orleans Saints and was regarded as one of the most talented quarterbacks of the 1970s. Her father, Eli, and uncle, Peyton Manning, carried that legacy forward, between them winning four Super Bowl championships.
The Manning Family Legacy
The Manning name carries a specific weight in American sports culture. Archie Manning played 13 NFL seasons and became one of the most admired players in New Orleans Saints history. His three sons — Cooper, Peyton, and Eli — each built careers shaped by their father’s example, though Eli and Peyton were the two who played at the highest professional level.
Eli Manning quarterbacked the New York Giants for 16 seasons from 2004 to 2019. He won Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, defeating the previously undefeated New England Patriots, and repeated the feat with Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012. Both times, he earned Super Bowl MVP honors. Peyton Manning won two Super Bowls of his own — with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 and the Denver Broncos in 2016.
Ava Frances Manning grew up watching her father’s career from the stands and at home. As the eldest, she carries an awareness of that history, even if her parents have worked hard to make sure it does not define or pressure her.
Siblings and Home Life
Ava has three younger siblings. Lucy Thomas Manning was born on June 17, 2013. Caroline Olivia Manning followed on January 29, 2015. The youngest, Charles “Charlie” Elisha Manning, was born on February 3, 2019 — Super Bowl Sunday — a timing that Eli Manning could not have scripted better himself.
The Manning family lives in Summit, New Jersey. Eli has spoken openly about how much he values ordinary family time since retiring from the NFL in January 2020. “Just getting some car time with my kids can be the best time,” he said in one interview. He has been seen at his children’s school events, sporting activities, and recitals in the years since stepping away from professional football.
Each child has developed their own interests. Ava and Lucy have been involved in cheerleading. Caroline took up hockey and is described as particularly competitive. Charlie has been practicing football with his father at home, though Eli has been clear that he would never pressure his son toward the sport. Ava has also played tennis and soccer.
Growing Up Under Public Scrutiny
Growing up as Eli Manning’s daughter means dealing with public curiosity from an early age. Fans, media outlets, and sports writers have tracked Ava Frances since before she could walk — her first public appearance with her father at a New York Mets game on Father’s Day 2012 drew significant coverage when Eli held her in his arms at Citi Field.
Despite this, the Mannings have maintained a firm boundary between their public lives and their family’s private world. Eli rarely posts detailed family content on social media, and Abby maintains a similarly low profile. Ava has not been given her own public social media presence. This approach has been consistent throughout her childhood and reflects a deliberate parenting philosophy rather than a reaction to any particular incident.
Eli told People magazine that Ava had gotten into cheerleading at her middle school’s football games, which he attended as a fan in the crowd. “I do have one that is cheerleading,” he said. Manning, who spent 16 years being cheered from the stands, found himself in the position of a parent in the bleachers rooting for his daughter instead.
Education and Activities
Ava attends school in New Jersey, and the family has consistently prioritized private schooling and personal development over public visibility. Her academic life has not been disclosed in any verified public records, which aligns with how the Mannings manage information about their children.
Her involvement in sports has been broad but not specialized. She has tried cheerleading, soccer, tennis, and other activities. Eli Manning has been vocal about wanting his children to experience a range of sports without being pushed toward any one in particular — a reflection of his own upbringing under Archie Manning, who encouraged all three of his sons to explore their interests without pressure.
“Athletics are great tools for learning hard work, dealing with ups and downs, and staying committed,” Eli has said. That philosophy appears to guide how Ava and her siblings approach their own sporting lives.
Manning Family Philanthropy
Ava Frances Manning grew up in a household where charitable work was a consistent part of daily life. Eli and Abby Manning made a $1 million pledge to Children’s of Mississippi as part of a $100 million capital campaign aimed at improving healthcare access for mothers and children in Mississippi. Abby Manning has been particularly active in children’s health and education initiatives.
Eli’s post-retirement career has also carried a philanthropic dimension. He became a part-owner of Gotham FC, a New York-based National Women’s Soccer League team. His motivation was partly personal. “As a dad, I want to make sure my daughters have all the athletic opportunities I had,” he explained when discussing the investment. That comment pointed directly to Ava and her sisters as a reason behind a professional business decision.
The Manning family’s broader philanthropic history includes years of community involvement in both Mississippi and New York, dating back to Archie Manning’s time as a player in New Orleans.
Ava Frances Manning in 2026
As of 2026, Ava Frances Manning is 14 years old. She remains a private figure, consistent with how her parents have managed her public presence since birth. No verified social media accounts are linked to her, and the Manning family has not issued any public statements about her current academic or athletic focus.
What is known is that she is the eldest child in a household that takes family seriously, and that she has grown up with consistent access to sports, education, and the kind of grounded parenting that her father frequently credits for his own values. The public curiosity around her reflects the broader fascination with NFL royalty rather than anything Ava herself has sought out.
Her story, at 14, is still largely unwritten. That appears to be exactly how her family prefers it.
FAQs
Who is Ava Frances Manning?
She is the eldest daughter of retired New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his wife, Abby McGrew Manning. She was born on March 21, 2011.
How many siblings does Ava Frances Manning have?
She has three younger siblings: Lucy Thomas Manning (born 2013), Caroline Olivia Manning (born 2015), and Charles “Charlie” Elisha Manning (born 2019).
Who are Ava Frances Manning’s grandparents?
Her paternal grandfather is Archie Manning, the former New Orleans Saints quarterback. Her paternal grandmother is Olivia Manning.
Does Ava Frances Manning play sports?
Yes. She has participated in cheerleading, tennis, and soccer. Her father has spoken about encouraging all his children to try different sports without pressure.
Where does Ava Frances Manning live?
The Manning family lives in Summit, New Jersey.
Is Ava Frances Manning on social media?
No verified social media accounts exist for Ava Frances Manning. Her parents manage their family’s public presence carefully and have kept their children off social media.
