Myra Kraft, Wife of Patriots Owner Robert Kraft, Dies

Myra Kraft, wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, died after a courageous battle with cancer this morning. She was 68 years-old.

A statement was released by the New England Patriots.

“Words cannot express the deep sorrow that we feel in learning of the passing of Myra Hiatt Kraft,’’ the statement said. “Myra passed away early this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. We are all heartbroken. The global philanthropic community and the New England Patriots family have suffered a great loss.”

Myra Kraft was heavily involved in the NFL team's philanthropic efforts. She was president of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and was named the “Most Powerful Women in Boston” by Boston Magazine in February of 2011. 

Mrs. Kraft was recently honored for her work as President of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, based out of Foxborough. She dedicated her time to giving back to communities by directing funds from the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation to finance efforts such as after-school sports programs for children.

The primary mission of the foundation is to help the youth and families of New England through donations to a variety of programs.

To date, the foundation has donated Patriots/Revolution tickets to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston as well as donating to support numerous health initiatives including the Robert K. Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Mrs. Kraft and her husband have given away more than $100 million since 1963 to a variety of organizations involved in everything including changing lives in Israel.

Not only has Patriot nation lost a leader but so has the rest of the world.

"I am very saddened by the news today of the passing of Myra Kraft," said Walpole resident and New England Patriot sports blogger Russell Goldman. "She was a wonderful philanthropist here in this community and what she has done here, and in Israel is so admirable. She will be missed, but her legacy will go on."

Foxborough resident James Dunn was shocked when he heard the news of Mrs. Kraft's passing while visiting Patriot Place this morning.

"She (Myra) has done so much for not only the community of Foxborough, where I live, but the rest of the world as well," he said.

Mrs. Kraft leaves behind her husband Robert Kraft, who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Kraft organization and the couple’s children. Their oldest son Jonathan is president and chief operating officer of the Kraft Group. Their second oldest, Daniel, is president-international and their youngest children, Josh, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and David, who also works at their organization.

She also leaves behind her sister, Janice, and six grandchildren.