Former NFL running back Adrian Peterson returned to public attention following his arrest in Sugar Land, Texas, on October 26, 2025, on charges of driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon. The incident was his second DWI-related arrest that year and renewed interest in his personal life, particularly his marriage to Ashley Brown Peterson.
Peterson, who won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2012, has been married to Ashley since July 2014. The couple met during his college years at the University of Oklahoma and have three children together. Ashley has also established her own career as an entrepreneur and cosmetics business owner.
Who Is Adrian Peterson’s Wife Ashley Brown?
Adrian Peterson’s wife, Ashley Brown Peterson, is an American entrepreneur, former model and founder of Elizabella Cosmetics.
Ashley attended the University of Oklahoma, where she met Peterson while he was playing college football for the Sooners. She later pursued business opportunities outside her husband’s professional sports career.
In 2018, Ashley founded Elizabella Cosmetics, a beauty company offering cruelty-free cosmetic products. She developed the business around her longstanding interest in makeup and beauty.
Her entrepreneurial work received recognition in 2024 when she earned an Amazon Black Business Accelerator Award.
Ashley is also involved in charitable activities. She serves as president and director of the A&A Peterson Family Foundation, which she established with her husband to support education, community development and economic opportunities.
How Did Adrian Peterson Meet Ashley Brown?
Adrian Peterson and Ashley Brown met while attending the University of Oklahoma, where Peterson played football between 2004 and 2006.
Their relationship developed during their college years, although they reportedly dated intermittently before establishing a more permanent relationship.
Peterson entered the NFL in 2007 after being selected seventh overall by the Minnesota Vikings. Ashley remained part of his personal life as his professional football career developed.
The couple eventually married in a private ceremony in July 2014.
Their marriage became public when they attended the Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala in Minnesota wearing wedding rings.
During the event, Ashley introduced herself using the surname Peterson, confirming their marriage.
Adrian Peterson and Ashley Brown Have Three Children
Adrian Peterson and Ashley Brown have three children together: two sons and one daughter.
Their eldest son, Adrian Peterson Jr., was born in 2011. Their second son, Axyl Eugene Peterson, arrived on September 27, 2015.
Axyl was born on the same day Peterson was scheduled to play for the Minnesota Vikings against the San Diego Chargers.
The Vikings confirmed the birth before the game, and Peterson joined his teammates during pregame warmups approximately 75 minutes before kickoff.
The couple welcomed their daughter, Abrielle Peterson, on August 29, 2023.
Peterson also has children from previous relationships. Public reports have identified him as the father of eight children in total.
One of his sons, Tyrese Ruffin, died in 2013 after suffering injuries inflicted by a man who was dating the child’s mother. The man was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Adrian Peterson and Ashley Brown’s Marriage Faced Public Scrutiny
Peterson and Ashley’s marriage attracted significant media attention in February 2022 following an incident aboard a flight departing Los Angeles International Airport.
Police responded to reports of an alleged verbal and physical altercation between the couple. Peterson was removed from the aircraft and arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
Ashley subsequently addressed the incident in a public Instagram statement.
“On Sunday, Adrian and I had a verbal argument. Unfortunately, it was on an airplane. At no point did Adrian hit or strike me. This is a private matter between my husband and myself. We ask that everyone respect our privacy so we can focus on what matters most: our children,” she wrote.
In May 2022, Peterson agreed to complete 20 sessions of domestic violence and alcohol counseling through an alternative-to-prosecution process.
The incident did not result in a criminal prosecution.
Ashley Brown’s Career and Adrian Peterson’s Recent Legal Issues
Ashley has continued developing her cosmetics business while participating in the couple’s charitable foundation.
Peterson, meanwhile, has faced additional legal problems following the end of his NFL playing career.
In April 2025, he was arrested in Minnesota on suspicion of driving while impaired after police reportedly observed him traveling at 83 mph in a 55 mph zone. Authorities reported a blood alcohol concentration of 0.14%.
On October 26, 2025, Peterson was arrested again in Sugar Land, Texas, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and unlawfully carrying a weapon.
The former running back played 15 NFL seasons and finished with 14,918 rushing yards and 120 rushing touchdowns. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2012.
As of November 2026, Ashley Brown Peterson remains publicly identified as Adrian Peterson’s wife, with no verified announcement of a divorce. The couple have three children together, while the outcomes of Peterson’s 2025 legal cases have not been independently confirmed.
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