Ann Romney
Ann Romney is the wife of Republican leader Mitt Romney. She is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She was born Ann Lois Davies on April 16, 1949, to Edward R. Davies and Lois Davies. Her father was from Wales, a self-made businessman. Ann cited her humble roots in Wales during the 2012 presidential campaign.
She grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and dated Mitt Romney when she attended the private Kingswood School, a school for girls. Mitt attended Kingswood's sister school, a school for boys — Cranbrook School. Mitt Romney went to Stanford for his first year of college and then left on an LDS mission to France for 30 months. While he was gone, Ann converted to Mormonism. (Her two brothers followed her into the LDS Church.)
After graduating from high school (Mitt is 2 years older than she), she attended Brigham Young University. She also spent a semester at the University of Grenoble in France during her freshman year. Shortly after Mitt's return from his mission, the two married on March 21, 1969, at her Bloomfield Hills home, with a reception afterward at a local country club. This was a civil ceremony officiated by an LDS Elder. The following day the couple flew to Utah for a wedding ceremony inside the Salt Lake Temple.
Mitt and Ann both attended BYU, renting a $75 per month basement apartment. Their first of five sons was born during this time, in 1970. After Mitt graduated, the couple moved to Boston so that he could attend Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School. Splitting her time between motherhood and education, Ann completed her undergraduate education through the Extension School at Harvard University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree with a concentration in French language in 1975.
Ann was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998. Very ill at the time, she has enjoyed a long period of remission, crediting her enthusiastic participation in equestrianism (horseback riding and dressage), medical help, and natural products. She appreciates the benefits of both Eastern and Western medicine. She is a board member for the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and has been given the MS Society's Annual Hope Award. Ann competed professionally in Equestrian Grand Prix. In 2008, she was also diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive type of breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy in December of the same year and has since been cancer-free. [1]
While Mitt Romney was the governor of Massachusetts, she served as the governor's liaison for federal faith-based initiatives. She is involved with a number of charities, including Operation Kids and Best Friends. She worked extensively with the Ten Point Coalition in Boston and with other groups that promoted better safety and opportunities for urban youths. She has also served as a board member for the United Way of America and helped found United Way Faith and Action.
The Romneys' (as of 2012) have two homes — one in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, along Lake Winnipesaukee, and another on the oceanfront in La Jolla, San Diego, California. Both locations are near some of the Romneys' grandchildren, who by 2012 numbered sixteen, and the La Jolla location is near where she rides horses and is well-situated for her multiple sclerosis therapies and for recovering from her pre-cancer treatments. (Wikipedia)
Ann Romney has been a positive influence on her husband's run for the Republican presidential nomination during 2011 - 2012. She finds favor among people of all persuasions, partly for her calm, personable nature, and partly because of the family values she represents and trials she's overcome.
