Ann Romney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Romney
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Romney in 2015
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| First Lady of Massachusetts | |
| In role January 3, 2003 – January 4, 2007 |
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| Governor | Mitt Romney |
| Preceded by | Chuck Hunt (as First Gentleman) |
| Succeeded by | Diane Patrick |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ann Lois Davies
April 16, 1949 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Tagg |
| Parent |
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| Relatives | Romney family |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BA) |
Ann Lois Romney (born Ann Lois Davies on April 16, 1949) is an American author and philanthropist. She is married to the politician and businessman Mitt Romney. When her husband was the governor, she served as the First Lady of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007.
Ann grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In 1966, she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). She went to Brigham Young University (BYU) and married Mitt Romney in 1969. She earned a degree in French in 1975. As First Lady of Massachusetts, she helped connect the governor's office with faith-based groups. She also worked with many children's charities.
In 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and nerves. She says that a mix of regular and alternative treatments helps her live a full life. She is also a skilled horse rider and has competed in the sport of dressage. In 2014, she helped open the Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases in Boston. The center studies multiple sclerosis and other brain diseases.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ann Lois Davies was born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 16, 1949. She grew up in the town of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Her father, Edward Roderick Davies, was a successful businessman who co-founded a company that made large machines for ships.
Ann knew Mitt Romney when they were in elementary school. She attended Kingswood School, which was the sister school to Cranbrook School, where Mitt was a student. They started dating in March 1965.
After high school, Mitt went to France for two and a half years as a missionary for the Mormon church. While he was away, Ann decided to join the same church in 1966. Mitt's father, George W. Romney, who was the governor of Michigan, helped guide her and even baptized her.
Ann graduated from high school in 1967 and started at Brigham Young University (BYU). She even spent a semester studying in France.
Marriage and Family
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When Mitt returned from France in December 1968, he and Ann decided to get married right away. They had a civil ceremony on March 21, 1969, in her home. The next day, they flew to Utah for a ceremony in the Salt Lake Temple.
The couple's first son, Tagg, was born in 1970 while they were both students at BYU. After Mitt graduated, they moved to Massachusetts so he could attend Harvard University. Ann finished her degree in French from BYU in 1975 by taking night classes.
Ann was a stay-at-home mother and raised their five sons: Taggart (born 1970), Matthew (1971), Joshua (1975), Benjamin (1978), and Craig (1981). She was very involved in her children's lives, teaching them religious classes and helping at their schools. She also enjoyed playing tennis and became a very good player.
Health and Equestrianism
Living with Multiple Sclerosis
In 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a disease that can cause tiredness, numbness, and other problems. At first, she was very sick and frightened.
Over time, she found a mix of treatments that helped her feel much better. She uses both modern medicine and alternative therapies like reflexology and acupuncture. She now lives an active life with few limits from the disease.
Passion for Horse Riding
Ann is a passionate horse rider. She says that riding horses helped her recover after her MS diagnosis. It gave her joy and a reason to get out of bed, even when she felt very tired. The physical control needed for riding also helped strengthen her muscles.
She became very skilled in dressage, a type of horse riding that is like ballet on horseback. She has won national awards as an amateur rider. She also co-owned a horse named Rafalca, who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Public Life and Politics
First Lady of Massachusetts
When Mitt Romney was elected governor of Massachusetts in 2002, Ann became the First Lady. She held this role from 2003 to 2007. She mostly stayed out of the spotlight but worked on important issues.
She helped faith-based groups in the state get more federal money to support their community work. She also worked to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis.
Role in Presidential Campaigns
Ann was very active in her husband's campaigns when he ran for president in 2008 and 2012. She traveled across the country, gave speeches, and talked to voters. She often shared stories about their family and her experience with MS.
During the 2012 campaign, she gave a major speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention. She talked about her life and family to connect with voters, especially women. Although her husband did not win the election, she was a key part of his campaign.
Spouse of a U.S. Senator
In 2018, Ann encouraged her husband to run for the U.S. Senate in Utah. She supported him during the campaign, speaking about the need for kindness in politics. He won the election and took office in January 2019.
Charity Work and Advocacy
Ann Romney has been involved with many charities, especially those that help children. She has worked with groups that support girls in inner-city areas and promote safety for young people in cities.
In 2014, she helped create the Ann Romney Center for Neurological Diseases at a hospital in Boston. The center's goal is to raise $50 million for research on diseases like MS, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Ann serves as a Global Ambassador for the center, giving talks to inspire hope in people living with these conditions.
Books and Later Life
Ann Romney has written several books. In 2013, she published a cookbook called The Romney Family Table. In 2015, she released a memoir titled In This Together: My Story, where she wrote about her life with MS.
Today, Ann and Mitt Romney spend much of their time with their five sons and many grandchildren. They have homes in Utah and New Hampshire. Ann continues to be an advocate for people with neurological diseases and enjoys her family and her passion for horses.
Awards and Honors
- 2006: Lifetime Achievement Award from Operation Kids.
- 2008: Canterbury Medal from The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, shared with her husband.
- 2014: Honorary degree from Southern Utah University for her work helping children and families.
- 2019: Public Leadership in Neurology Award for her work in MS research and awareness.
See also
