Hyla Ross is a pediatric nurse from Tallahassee, Florida, known primarily as the ex-wife of former MLB player and Chicago Cubs manager David Ross. Born in December 1977, she spent 15 years married to David before their divorce in 2020. She has three children and continues working in healthcare while maintaining a private life away from the media attention that followed her marriage.
Who Hyla Ross Is Today
Hyla Ross is 47 years old and lives in Tallahassee, where she was born and raised. She works as a pediatric nurse with over 20 years of experience in the field. Unlike many people connected to professional sports, she has kept a low profile throughout her marriage and after her divorce.
She stands about 6 feet tall with hazel eyes and brown hair. Those who know her describe her as someone who values privacy and focuses on her work and family rather than public attention. She still lives in the same Florida community where she met David Ross during high school.
Her daily life centers on her nursing career and raising her three children. She has built financial independence through her work in healthcare and maintains connections to her hometown community. Friends and colleagues know her for her work in pediatric care, not for her connection to baseball.
Building a Career in Pediatric Nursing
Hyla Ross chose pediatric nursing as her profession, a field that requires specialized training and emotional resilience. Pediatric nurses work with children from infancy through adolescence, handling everything from routine checkups to critical care situations.
In Florida, experienced pediatric nurses earn between $77,000 and $97,000 annually, depending on their specialization and location. Tallahassee’s cost of living is lower than major Florida cities like Miami or Tampa, which affects salary ranges. Nurses with certifications like Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) typically earn at the higher end of this scale.
Her career developed alongside David’s baseball journey. MLB players move frequently based on trades and team changes. David played for seven different teams between 2002 and 2016, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs. Each move required Hyla to find new employment, obtain state nursing licenses, and establish herself in new hospital systems.
Life as an MLB Wife and Mother
Hyla and David Ross met as teenagers in Tallahassee. They began dating in high school and maintained their relationship as David pursued professional baseball. After dating for several years, they got engaged in 2001 and married in 2005.
The couple has three children. Landri Ross, their eldest, was born in the early 2000s and is now around 19 years old. She plays volleyball and attended Maclay High School in Tallahassee. Cole Ross was born on May 1, 2009, making him 16 in 2025. Harper Lynn Ross, their youngest, was born in 2015 and is now about 10 years old. Harper was born prematurely, which required extended hospital care and added stress to the family.
Being married to a professional athlete meant Hyla managed most household responsibilities alone. Baseball seasons run from February through October, with players traveling for half their games. During these months, David was frequently away for days or weeks at a time. Hyla handled school schedules, medical appointments, and daily parenting duties largely on her own.
The 2020 Divorce and What Changed
Hyla and David Ross finalized their divorce in 2020 after 15 years of marriage. Neither has publicly discussed the specific reasons for their separation, choosing to keep details private for their children’s benefit.
Sources close to the couple suggested that David’s demanding post-retirement career created challenges. His role as Cubs manager required extensive travel and media commitments. The time apart, combined with years of similar pressures during his playing career, strained the relationship.
David’s concussion history also affected family life. He suffered multiple concussions during his career, including a significant one in 2013. Head injuries can change personality, mood, and cognitive function. While neither David nor Hyla has discussed this publicly, concussions add stress to any marriage.
Hyla has not been publicly linked to anyone since the divorce. She continues living in Tallahassee and focuses on her nursing career and children.
Her Three Children in 2025
Landri Ross is the eldest at approximately 19 years old. She graduated from Maclay High School, a private college preparatory school in Tallahassee, in 2024. She played volleyball throughout high school and showed talent in the sport. As of 2025, she is likely in her first year of college, though her specific school and plans have not been made public.
Cole Ross turned 16 in May 2025. He is in high school and, like many teenagers, exploring various interests. His parents have kept details about his activities private. Given his father’s athletic background, sports may play a role in his life, but no public information confirms specific activities.
Harper Lynn Ross is 10 years old in 2025. As the youngest, she remains largely out of public view. Her premature birth in 2015 required medical intervention, an experience that likely shaped Hyla’s perspective both as a mother and as a pediatric nurse. Harper is in elementary school and, like her siblings, lives primarily in Tallahassee with her mother.
Net Worth and Financial Reality
Hyla Ross has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million. This figure comes primarily from her nursing career, not from her marriage or divorce settlement. Understanding how this accumulates requires looking at nursing salaries and financial planning over two decades.
A pediatric nurse in Florida earning $85,000 annually (mid-range for experienced nurses) would gross roughly $1.7 million over 20 years before taxes. After taxes, living expenses, and raising three children, accumulating $1 million in net worth represents solid financial management. This includes home equity, retirement accounts like 401(k) plans, and any personal investments.
Nurses typically contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans. Over 20 years, consistent contributions plus employer matching can build substantial retirement savings. If Hyla contributed 10% of her salary with a typical employer match, she could have $300,000 to $400,000 in retirement accounts alone, depending on market performance.
Where She Is Now and What’s Next
In 2025, Hyla Ross continues working as a pediatric nurse in Tallahassee. At 47, she is in the middle of her career with potentially 15 to 20 years before retirement. Her children are growing up quickly, with Landri already in college and Cole approaching graduation in a few years.
She maintains her connection to the Tallahassee community where she grew up. Her family and childhood friends still live in the area, providing a support network that proved valuable during her marriage and after her divorce. This stability contrasts with the years of moving for David’s baseball career.
Reports suggest she volunteers with local children’s health organizations, though she does not publicize this involvement. Healthcare professionals often contribute to community health initiatives, extending their work beyond hospital walls.
Her life is entering a new phase. As her children become more independent, she will have more time for personal interests and career development. Some nurses at her career stage pursue leadership roles, specialized certifications, or teaching positions. Others scale back hours to enjoy more personal time.
