Patricia Blagojevich
| Patricia Blagojevich | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Illinois | |
|
In office January 13, 2003 – January 29, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Lura Lynn Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Diana Rauner |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Patricia Mell April 9, 1965 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Rod Blagojevich |
| Relations |
Deb (sister) Richard (brother) |
| Children | two daughters |
| Parents |
Richard Mell Marge Mell |
Patricia Mell "Patti" Blagojevich (born April 9, 1965), née Mell, was the First Lady of Illinois from January 2003 to January 2009. Her husband is former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office. She was a contestant on the NBC reality show I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here in June 2009.[1] She placed 4th in the competition.
Personal life
Blagojevich was born Patricia Mell, the daughter of former Chicago alderman, Richard Mell. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.[1][2] Her sister, Deb Mell served in the Illinois State House of Representatives from 2009 to 2013, and on the Chicago City Council since 2013. She is friends with ex-professional basketball player John Salley.
First Lady
As First Lady of Illinois, Blagojevich supported the illiteracy eradication initiatives and the Illinois Pediatric Vision Initiative.
In 2009 she was fired from a $100,000 a year fund raising job after controversy regarding alleged taped statements.[3] Blagojevich was also subpoenaed in February 2009 for documents related to her husband's political campaign and her work as a real estate agent.[1]
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me out of Here!
In 2009, after her husband was removed as Governor of Illinois, Blagojevich appeared as a contestant on NBC reality show, I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here.[1] She placed fourth on the show.
References
- 1 2 3 4 Saulney, Susan (2009-06-05). "A Blagojevich Tries Reality TV". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
- ↑ "Governor Spouse's Information, Illinois, Patricia Blagojevich". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ↑ "Patricia Blagojevich fired from fundraising job." Chicago Tribune. Thursday January 22, 2009. Retrieved on January 22, 2009.
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lura Lynn Ryan |
First Lady of Illinois 2003–2009 |
Succeeded by Diana Rauner |
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