Jim Irsay – owner of one of the world’s greatest guitar collections – dies at 65
Billionaire businessman Jim Irsay – CEO of the Indianapolis Colts and owner of one of the world’s most incredible guitar collections – has died at the age of 65.
In a post on social media, the Indianapolis Colts confirm Irsay “passed away peacefully in his sleep”, sharing sympathies with his family, to whom they say his love was “unsurpassed”.
READ MORE: The greatest guitar collection on Earth
While perhaps best known in the mainstream for heading the Colts since 1997 – leading them to a series of division titles as well as their first Super Bowl win in 2007 – Jim Irsay also held a deep passion for music, using his fortune to amass and often display one of the world’s greatest collections of guitars.
Said to be worth at least $1 billion, Irsay’s over-200-strong collection includes iconic guitars formerly owned by Eddie Van Halen, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash, Les Paul and many more.
Highlights also include the Gretsch 6120 Country Gentleman used by John Lennon on The Beatles’ 1966 track Paperback Writer, Kurt Cobain’s left-handed Fender Mustang – which he bought for a tidy $4.5 million – and David Gilmour’s renowned 1969 Black Strat, used on Pink Floyd albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall.
More recently, Irsay acquired Eric Clapton’s famous Gibson SG, “The Fool”, for $1.27 million.
“Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country,” the Colts write. “He made philanthropy a daily endeavour. He never hesitated to help countless organisations and individuals live better lives.
“Music was one of Jim’s passions and the ability to share his band and collection with millions of people across the world brought him tremendous joy. Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered.
“Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organisation, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit.”
pic.twitter.com/TZg4kMpdAj
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 21, 2025
Jim Irsay’s cause of death has not been revealed, but his health issues in recent years were well documented.
According to ESPN, Irsay suffered a “decades-long” battle with addiction, leading he and family to financially support causes which championed addiction recovery and mental health.
And in January of this year, he was wheeled out in a chair at a game which, according to the Daily Mail, was a StairSteady, “a device typically used in hospitals for patients without power in their legs”.
Jim Irsay off to the #Colts locker room.
Colts in their longest playoff drought in Irsay’s ownership. pic.twitter.com/VlpzZWxVBB
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) January 5, 2025
In January 2024, emergency responders found Irsay “unresponsive and labouring to breathe when called to his home in Carmel, Indiana. A subsequent police report logged the incident as a “suspected overdose”, according to Fox59.
You can learn more about the businessman’s remarkable guitar collection at jimirsaycollection.com.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
