Katarina Miketin: Entrepreneur, Model, and NFL Coach’s Mike Zimmer Fiance

Katarina Elizabeth Miketin, born November 17, 1982, in Duluth, Minnesota, is a businesswoman and model. She has worked in banking, real estate, entrepreneurship, and modeling, and is engaged to Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.”

Katarina Miketin Bio/Wiki

FactsDetails
Full NameKatarina Elizabeth Miketin
Age42 (born November 17, 1982)
BirthplaceDuluth, Minnesota
HeritageSerbian
EducationBA Psychology, MBA Finance (Northwestern)
BusinessesOneTen Cycles, Real Estate, Outdoors Inc.
FiancéMike Zimmer (Dallas Cowboys)
Estimated Net Worth~$600,000
Instagram@katarina_elizabeth (400k followers)

Personal Background and Heritage

Katarina Miketin Personal Background and Heritage
photoshoot of Maxim Australia cover feature model Katarina Miketin. Image credit: Instagram profile @katarina_elizabeth, (modified by author)

Katarina’s parents moved to America from Yugoslavia/Serbia seeking better opportunities for their family.Serbian is my first language and growing up all I knew was Serbian music. My parents moved from Yugoslavia/Serbia for a better life for their future children, she said during her 2021 Maxim Australia interview. This cultural foundation shaped her strong work ethic and family values.

The Miketin family experienced both success and hardship. Her brother serves in the U.S. Air Force, while her sister Tina uses a wheelchair after a drunk driving accident at age 18. 

Her parents owned rental properties and taught all three children about business from a young age. This early exposure to real estate and customer service would later influence Katarina’s own business ventures. The family’s immigrant struggle instilled values of hard work and perseverance.

Katarina Miketin Education and Academic Success

At The College of St. Scholastica, Katarina earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and was “president of The National Honour Society for Psychology” during her undergraduate studies. She initially planned to attend law school after graduation. Her academic performance opened doors to competitive graduate programs.

Many people doubted she could gain acceptance to Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. A lot of people, and I mean a lot, told me I couldn’t get into the program. All of this negativity fueled me more, she told Maxim Australia about getting into Northwestern’s MBA program. In 2015, she graduated with an MBA in Finance.

One of the proudest moments of my life was having my family fly to Chicago to watch me graduate, she shared with Maxim Australia about her MBA graduation. The Northwestern degree provided crucial knowledge for her later banking career and business investments. Her education combined psychology insights with financial expertise.

Banking and Finance Career

Katarina spent nearly two decades in banking across multiple financial institutions. She started as a credit analyst and advanced to executive positions through consistent performance. Her banking experience included roles at MidCountry Bank, TCF Bank, Frandsen Bank & Trust, and Wells Fargo, according to her professional career history [LinkedIn].

At MidCountry Bank from 2007-2015, she earned promotion to Vice President in 2012. She later held Market Vice President positions, managing complex client relationships and loan portfolios. Her banking career provided deep knowledge of finance and business operations.

This foundation proved valuable when she transitioned to entrepreneurship in 2021. The banking experience taught her about business financing, risk assessment, and financial planning. These skills directly supported her later business ventures.

Katarina Miketin Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship

In 2004, Katarina founded Miketin Real Estate Investments, her first major business venture. The company reflected lessons learned from her family’s rental property background. This real estate business continues operating after more than 20 years.

Her biggest career shift came in 2021 when she left banking to purchase OneTen Cycles, a Minnesota-based women-owned bike shop [MARCA]. This women-owned bike shop in Minnesota combines her passion for cycling with business ownership. Her “affinity for cycling, especially gravel riding” traces back to her childhood. The shop serves the local cycling community with focus on female cyclists.

She also launched Miketin Outdoors, Inc. in 2021, creating an outdoor adventure company. Her business portfolio now spans real estate, cycling, and outdoor recreation. Each venture reflects her personal interests while generating income.

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Modeling Career and Media Recognition

Katarina Miketin Modeling Career and Media Recognition
Image source: Instagram profile of Katarina, (modified by author)

Katarina’s modeling career brought national attention through features in major publications. Sports Illustrated, Maxim Australia, Maxim South Africa, and M&F Hers Magazine have showcased her work. She appeared on the Maxim Australia cover twice, including December 2021, which she described as a “dream” achievement.

Her Instagram account (@katarina_elizabeth) has grown to nearly 400,000 followers. The platform showcases fitness lifestyle content, outdoor adventures, and business activities. She focuses on authentic content rather than typical influencer posts.

During her 2021 Maxim interview, she shared insights about balancing multiple roles. She reads approximately 100 books yearly, mostly non-fiction, after eliminating television from her routine. The gym remains central to her daily schedule and confidence.

Personal Life and Daily Routine

Katarina balances motherhood with business ownership while maintaining strict privacy about her daughter. She rarely features her child on social media, protecting her from public attention. It is very hard juggling being a mother, a business owner, staying fit and being an influencer, but I have realized that by cutting out certain things [like TV], I can get a lot done, she shared about work-life balance (People Magazine). 

She follows a daily routine that includes early morning workouts before school drop-off and business activities. Family values guide her decisions about work-life balance.

Her border collie Chloe joined the family in 2016 as a trail running companion. The dog frequently appears in outdoor adventure posts and accompanies Katarina on cycling trips.

Katarina Miketin Relationship with Mike Zimmer

Katarina Miketin Relationship with Mike Zimmer
Katarina Miketin (L) get engaged with NFL coach Mike Zimmer (R). Image source: Instagram

Mutual friends introduced Mike Zimmer and Katarina approximately five years before their engagement announcement on January 3, 2025. Dating rumors began in 2020 when they attended a Minnesota Vikings game together. She publicly confirmed their romance in 2021.

Zimmer and Miketin have a 26-year age difference, which has been noted in some reports. Zimmer was previously married to Vikki for 27 years until her death in 2009. The family also experienced tragedy when Zimmer’s son Adam Zimmer died in 2022.

As reported by SportsKeeda, on January 3, 2025, Miketin announced their engagement, noting that mutual friends had introduced them five years earlier. 

Current Business Operations

OneTen Cycles operates daily from 11am to 6pm with Katarina managing operations and customer relationships. The shop promotes cycling among women and families.

Miketin Real Estate Investments continues after more than 20 years, handling property investments throughout Minnesota, as confirmed by Essentially Sports. Her childhood exposure to real estate prepared her for long-term success in property management. The business provides steady income alongside her newer ventures.

Miketin Outdoors, Inc. focuses on outdoor adventure equipment and experiences. The company aligns with her interests in paddleboarding, hiking, and outdoor recreation. All three businesses reflect her strategy of combining passion with profit.

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Lifestyle and Interests

Katarina’s fitness lifestyle centers on early morning workouts and outdoor activities. She enjoys gravel biking, paddleboarding, and trail cycling throughout Minnesota. She described herself as formerly thinking she was “a mermaid – any water I saw I wanted to be in doing something!” Water activities continue to appeal to her active lifestyle.

Miketin has stated that she regularly reads non-fiction books on business and self-improvement. She eliminated television to create time for reading and other priorities.

Chloe serves as a regular adventure partner during outdoor activities. The border collie appears in social media posts about hiking and cycling trips. Pet companionship adds enjoyment to her active lifestyle.

Katarina Miketin Financial Status and Independence

Industry estimates place Katarina’s net worth around $600,000 as of 2025. This wealth stems from her multi-industry career in banking, modeling, and business ownership. Her financial independence was established before her high-profile relationship. (Tuko)

Her diversified income includes business and modeling revenue streams independent of Zimmer’s NFL career. The combination of real estate investments, business ownership, and modeling creates financial stability. Her banking background helps manage these various interests.

She built this foundation over two decades of professional work. Her success shows the value of education, hard work, and strategic decisions.

Public Recognition and Media Attention

Media coverage often emphasizes Katarina’s relationship with Mike Zimmer over her independent achievements. Her social media presence allows control over much of her public narrative. She uses Instagram to showcase businesses, fitness routine, and outdoor lifestyle.

She admitted she “went off of Instagram for two years due to the bullying and the affect it had on dating.” Miketin has spoken in past interviews about the challenges of balancing her public modeling profile with her private life. Public reaction to their engagement announcement varied, with some focusing on their age difference.

Her Serbian heritage and immigrant family story connects with followers sharing similar backgrounds. Her approach to privacy, especially regarding her daughter, earns respect from observers. She maintains professional boundaries while sharing business and fitness content.

Looking Ahead

Katarina Elizabeth Miketin has earned degrees in psychology and finance, and has worked in banking, real estate, and entrepreneurship. Her path from Serbian immigrant family to successful entrepreneur shows the power of hard work and vision. She built recognition and wealth independently before her relationship brought additional attention.

Her business portfolio reflects genuine interests rather than quick profit schemes. The modeling career and social media presence complement her business achievements without overshadowing them. Family values and resilience continue guiding her decisions.

Moving forward, Katarina faces balancing established businesses with increased attention as Zimmer’s fiancée. She continues to manage her businesses while being engaged to NFL coach Mike Zimmer. The foundation she built positions her well for future opportunities.

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FAQ’s About Katarina Miketin

How old is Katarina Miketin? 

Born November 17, 1982, she is 42 years old as of 2025.

What businesses does Katarina Miketin own? 

She owns OneTen Cycles (bike shop), Miketin Real Estate Investments (since 2004), and Miketin Outdoors, Inc. (launched 2021).

When did Katarina and Mike Zimmer get engaged? 

They announced their engagement on January 3, 2025.

What education does Katarina Miketin have? 

She earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from The College of St. Scholastica and an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School.

How many Instagram followers does she have? 

Her account (@katarina_elizabeth) has nearly 400,000 followers.

Which magazines featured Katarina Miketin? 

Sports Illustrated, Maxim Australia, Maxim South Africa, and M&F Hers Magazine.

Disclaimer: This article about Katarina Miketin is based on publicly available information, media interviews, and reliable online sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details such as net worth figures are estimates and may not reflect the exact current status. The content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or financial advice. We respect the privacy of individuals and have avoided disclosing personal information that is not publicly available.

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