Martha Hart Named 2026 Calgarian of the Year for Owen Hart Foundation Work

Dr. Martha Hart has been recognized with one of her hometown’s most prestigious honors, named the 2026 Calgarian of the Year at the Calgary Awards ceremony held Wednesday, June 17 at City Hall in downtown Calgary.

The founder of the Owen Hart Foundation, Dr. Hart holds a PhD and trained as a researcher at Cambridge. Her recognition speaks to a body of work that extends well beyond the wrestling world — she has dedicated years to advocacy centered on education, housing, and philanthropy, channeling the tragedy of losing her husband Owen Hart in 1999 into lasting positive impact through the Foundation that bears his name.

The Owen Hart Foundation has long operated as a charitable organization in Calgary, providing support and opportunities to those in need in the community Owen called home. Martha’s tireless commitment to steering that mission forward clearly resonated with Calgary officials, who selected her from among the city’s many accomplished residents for this annual distinction.

For wrestling fans, Martha Hart remains a deeply significant figure — not only as the widow of one of the most beloved performers in the history of the sport, but as someone who has fiercely protected Owen’s legacy while simultaneously building something meaningful in his memory. Her relationship with the wrestling business has been complex over the years, but her humanitarian work has always stood apart from those complications.

Being named Calgarian of the Year is a fitting tribute to a woman who has turned grief into purpose, and it ensures that Owen Hart’s name continues to stand for something far bigger than any championship or match.