More than nine months after baseball legend Ryne Sandberg – the immortal “Ryno” of the Chicago Cubs – passed away from cancer, his wife, Margaret Sandberg, officially announced his will. The decision was deeply moving: the entire personal fortune and vast estate of the former Hall of Fame star will be donated entirely to cancer patients, especially those battling prostate cancer.

In an emotional press conference held this morning at Wrigley Field – Sandberg’s familiar home throughout his illustrious career – Margaret Sandberg, his wife of over 30 years, made her first public appearance since her husband’s passing. Her voice trembled, her eyes reddened, but her words were firm and full of love.

“Ryne always told me that if he couldn’t win this battle, he wanted his will to be a source of hope for others. He didn’t want our assets to sit idle in the bank or just be left to our children and grandchildren. He wanted it to live on through each treatment, each patient’s smile, each new research project on the disease that took his life,” Margaret shared, her voice choked with emotion.

According to the will released today, the entire value of Ryne Sandberg’s estate – estimated at tens of millions of dollars including real estate, advertising contracts, sports memorabilia, and investments – will be transferred to a new charity called the “Ryno’s Fight Foundation.” This foundation focuses on supporting three main areas:

Directly supporting the treatment costs for patients with late-stage prostate cancer, especially those in difficult circumstances.

Funding research to develop new early diagnosis and treatment methods.

Establishing a psychological support and companionship program for patients’ families.

Margaret said this was Ryne’s last wish, handwritten in his final days at his home in Lake Bluff, Illinois. “He told me, ‘Margaret, I played basketball to bring joy to the fans. Now I want to help them when they are in the most pain,’” she recounted.

Ryne Sandberg passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was first diagnosed in January 2024 and publicly shared his treatment journey to raise public awareness. However, the disease returned more aggressively in 2025.

With a brilliant career, Sandberg is one of the greatest second basemen in MLB history. He spent most of his career with the Chicago Cubs (1982-1994, 1996-1997), was a 10-time All-Star, a 9-time Gold Glove winner, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. His legendary moment on June 23, 1984, when he scored 7 RBIs in a single game, is still remembered as one of the greatest performances in Cubs history.

But behind the glamour was a humble, family-loving man. Margaret Koehnemann – his second wife, whom he married in 1995 – was his “silent hero” in his final months. She managed his entire treatment schedule and became his unwavering emotional support.

“Ryne called me his ‘hero.’ But he was actually my hero, the hero of our children, and the hero of millions of fans,” Margaret said emotionally at the press conference. She also expressed her deep gratitude to her former teammates, the Cubs’ leadership, and the fan community for their support over the past nine months.

News of Sandberg’s will quickly spread and received profound respect from the sports world. Cubs President Tom Ricketts stated: “Ryne was not only a legend on the field but also a shining example off the field. This decision is perfectly in line with who he was – always thinking of others before himself.”

Many MLB stars such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and former teammates like Mark Grace paid tribute on social media. Cubs fans in Wrigleyville today displayed banners reading “Thank you Ryno – Your fight continues” and lit candles in his memory.

Sandberg’s doctor said the newly established fund will begin operations in the third quarter of 2026, with an initial funding round of over $15 million. Many major hospitals in Chicago and the Midwest have expressed their desire to collaborate.

More than nine months after Ryne Sandberg’s passing, his will is not just a legal document but also a powerful message about compassion and the meaning of life. While his playing career inspired countless generations of young players, this final decision touched the hearts of millions – especially those battling cancer.

Margaret Sandberg concluded the press conference with a statement that brought tears to the eyes of everyone present: “Ryne has left us physically, but he is still here today, still fighting through every donation, every patient helped. He was never truly gone.”