Elton John and David Furnish

Admid rumors that they were splitting up, the twelve-year relationship of Elton John and David Furnish was formalized in a civil ceremony in Windsor. Here is information on how Elton and David met, their civil ceremony, quotes, and more.

Birthdates:

Reginald Kenneth Dwight (Sir Elton Hercules John CBE) was born on March 25, 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, England.

David Furnish was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 25, 1962.

How Elton and David Met:

Elton and David met in 1993 after a friend introduced them to one another at a dinner at Elton's mansion. Elton has said that David helped him overcome his addictions to alcohol and drugs.

Bachelor Party:

On the evening prior to their civil ceremony, Elton and David attended a joint bachelor party at the Too2Much in London's West End.

Guests at the party included Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Liz Hurley, Paul O'Grady, Sir Tim Rice, Bryan Adams, Cilla Black, Jake Shears, Jimmy Choo, Kid Rock, Lulu, Trinny Woodall, Susannah Constantine, and Gary Barlow.

Civil Ceremony:

Wearing traditional black morning suits, Elton, age 58, and David, age 43, formalized their relationship on December 21, 2005 at historic 17th century Guildhall in Windsor, England. Normally flamboyant Elton did wear purple spectacles.

Superintendent Registrar Clair Williams and Registrar Peter Edwards were the officiates for the ceremony.

Their parents were at the small ceremony and acted as witnesses. They took their parents to lunch in a black Rolls-Royce after the ceremony.

Hundreds of fans were along the streets near Guildhall Hall.

Reception:

A lavish $1.75 million party complete with lots of vintage pink champagne and lamb for 700 guests, including Victoria Beckham, George Michael, Lulu, Donatella Versace, Sting and his wife Trudi, Hugh Grant, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Naomi Campbell, Jemima Khan, Sharon Stone, Claudia Schiffer, and Elizabeth Hurley was held in two giant white tents erected on the grounds of Elton's mansion near Windsor.

Elton and David asked for donations to the Elton John Aids Foundation instead of gifts.

Honeymoon:

Their secret honeymoon has been planned by David for the beginning of 2006.

Education:

Elton attended the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Occupations:

Sir Elton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. He is a flamboyant Grammy award winning performer, composer, singer, and actor.

David is a filmmaker, producer, and director.

Interests:

Elton enjoys tennis and owns approximately 21 dogs.

Previous Marriages:

Elton was previously married to Renate Blauel on 2/14/1984 at St. Mark's Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia. Elton wore lavender and white at their wedding. They later had a second ceremony in England for John's family.

Elton and Renate met in mid-1982 while they were working on an album at AIR studio in London.

Their no-fault divorce was officially announced on November 18, 1988. Part of the divorce settlement for Renate was a 17th-century cottage in Surrey and reportedly $45 million.

Residences:

Elton's primary residence is Woodside, a country estate in old Windsor, England. He also has a home near Atlanta, Georgia in Buckhead and a lavish home in Nice.

Quotes about Relationships:

Elton, concerning the civil ceremony and their parents, 11/2005: "But the ceremony itself will be David's parents and my parents and the two of us. They'll be our witnesses ... Out of respect for their support, we want to just keep it small. Not to make a ballyhoo of the ceremony."
Source: BBC

David, about his relationship with Elton, 11/2005: "I've always considered myself committed to Elton and he's the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. So in that sense, I don't feel like the dynamic of our relationship is going to change."
Source: BBC

Elton, about his relationship with David: "Meeting David has been the greatest thing to happen to me. Yes, we spend a lot of time apart and it's hard, but we make it work."
Source: E! Online 4/25/2005.

Elton, on his reasons for wanting to get married in England: 4/25/2005 "I’m not going to run away to Australia and get married. It’s very important that I get married in Britain, because I feel it’s the only place that I could do it."
Source: Scotsman.com

Elton, in November, 2004 interview about plans: "We haven't set a date and it surely won't be a big public ceremony but I would like to place my life in his hands with a wedding vow. I have never been so happy."
Source: The Age

Elton, about his marriage to Renate: "I regret it to this day because I was not honest with Renate. I married her while I knew that my truth was different. I find her a beautiful woman, she could have ruined me financially but she hasn't done that. That is what I call true friendship."
Source: Imdb.com

Elton, on why he married Renate: "Even though I knew I was gay, I thought this woman was attractive and that being married would cure me of everything wrong in my life."
Source: Scotsman.com

by : Sheri & Bob Stritof

Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson Marriage Profile

Successful Marriage Ended Tragically

In 2000, Natasha stayed by Liam's side as he recovered from a motorcycle accident. Liam rushed to be with Natasha after her ski accident. Here is more information about the close marriage of Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson.

News Updates:

3/18/2009: According to a family spokesperson, Natasha has died. “Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha. They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”
Source: "Actress Natasha Richardson has died." MSNBC.com. 3/18/2009.

3/18/2009: "As the morning sun draped Lenox Hill Hospital [in New York] on Wednesday, the family of Natasha Richardson were huddled inside after the actress suffered a potentially fatal head injury from what seemed at first like a benign skiing accident on Monday. Ms Richardson, 45, was flown from Montreal Tuesday night to the Upper East Side hospital ..."
Source: Patrick Healy, Liz Robbins. "Family Gathers Around Natasha Richardson." NYTimes.com. 3/18/2009.

3/16/2009: Natasha Richardson was seriously injured in a ski accident at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Canada. She is in a Montreal, Canada, hospital.
Natasha Richardson Skiing Accident: How a Brain Injury Shows Up Later

Born:

Natasha Jane Richardson: May 11, 1963 in London, England.

Liam Neeson aka William John Neeson: June 7, 1952 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Died:

Natasha: March 18, 2009 in New York City. Natasha died at the age of 45 after being injured in a skiing accident at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Canada.

How Natasha and Liam Met:

They worked together on the TV mini-series "Ellis Island" in 1984 and later reconnected in the early 1990s while working together on Broadway in "Anna Christie."

Natasha: "It was not an easy time when I met Liam. Working with him, what happened between us, and that becoming public knowledge in conjunction with my marriage falling apart, was kind of bad timing. So what can I say? Obviously I fell very much in love with him."
Source: Patrick Huguenin. "Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson's magical marriage takes tragic turn." NYDailyNews.com. 3/18/2009.

Wedding Date:

Natasha and Liam were married in a private ceremony on July 3, 1994 at their country home in New York. Natasha wore a wedding dress designed by Donna Karan. Actor Franco Nero gave the bride away when Natasha's mother, Vanessa Redgrave was a "no-show" due to her work on a movie in Italy.

There were 70 guests including Aidan Quinn, Lauren Bacall, Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, Mia Farrow, Emma Thompson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ron Shelton.

Beneath a "huge white tent", the "40-minute ceremony during which a priest conducted mass, a choir sang "Morning Has Broken," and a herd of cows chewed their cud in the nearby pasture, Natasha Richardson [31], of Britain's prolific Redgrave acting dynasty, and Liam Neeson [42], working-class Irish kid turned Hollywood hunk and Schindler's star, exchanged wedding vows."
Source: "Acting on Love." People.com. 7/18/1994.

Children:

Liam and Natasha have two sons.

• Micheal Richard Antonio Neeson: Born in 1995 in Dublin, Ireland.
• Daniel Jack Neeson: Born in 1996.

Occupations:

Natasha: Actress.

Liam: Actor.

Residences:

Liam and Natasha have a five-bedroom, 5,000-square-foot home in Millbrook, New York. The Colonial-style country home was built in 1810.

Previous Marriages:

Natasha was previous married to producer Robert Fox, from December 15, 1990 to June 30, 1993 when their marriage ended in divorce.

Quotes About the Marriage of Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson:

Natasha: "We have a joke that I see the glass half full and he sees it half empty. He's more laid back, happy to see what happens, whereas I'm a doer and I plan ahead. The differences sometimes get in the way but they can be the very things that feed a marriage too."
Source: Anita Singh. "Natasha Richardson skiing accident in Canada: profile of actress." Telegraph.co.uk. 3/17/2009.

Liam on the secret to a happy marriage: "Never take it for granted. That’s what I constantly do. Work at it."
Source: "Liam Neeson: I Never Take It for Granted." OKMagazine.com. 1/30/2009.

Liam: "... sitting down to eat in our house, talking about the day, is very important."
Source: Allison Adato. "Sex Symbol:. Liam Neeson ..." People Weekly. 11/22/2004. pg. 85.

Liam about his motorcycle accident in 2000: "His wife Natasha was, he says, "an angel during my recovery. She was there every minute holding my hand, which was a wonderful inspiration. She's a good girl. Seeing her gave me a little extra strength each day."
Source: Cindy Pearlman. "I could have died -- but Natasha's love gave me the strength to pull through." The Evening Standard." 7/18/2002.

Natasha about his motorcyle crash in 2000: "It reinforced what I already knew. That you have to really appreciate life and what you have, because things can change."
Source: Nick Curtis. "Keeping it in the Family." The Evening Standard. 5/8/2003. pg. 20.

Liam: "She [Natasha] pushed all the right buttons. Certain people push one or tow. But she pushed buttons I didn't even know I had."
Source: "Liam Neeson recalls love at first push." Intelligencer. 5/05/1995. pg. 2.

_{Other Sources:
Natalie Clarke. "Why the Sun is Shining on Family Love, New Love and Forgiving Love." The Daily Mail. 6/23/1999.
"Neeson, Richardson tie knot." Winnipeg Free Press. 7/5/1994. pg. 25.
"Neeson, Richardson decide to get married." Alton Telegraph. 7/10/1994. pg. 44.
Ruth Ryon. "Guess Who's Moving." Chronicle Telegram. 7/10/1994. pg. 74.
Bill Zwecker. "Vanessa Sends Love, Lecture to Nuptials." Chicago sun - Times. 7/8/1994. pg. 18.}

source by : about.com

Jack Tweed and Jade Goody Marriage Profile

They had a short and turbulent relationship prior to their wedding and Jade Goody and Jack Tweed will have a short marriage due to her diagnosis of terminal cancer. Here is information on how Jade and Jack met, their wedding, and more.

Born:

Jade Cerisa Lorraine Goody: June 5, 1981 in London, England.

Jack Andrew Tweed: July 7, 1987.

How Jack and Jade Met:

According to her autobiography, Jade and Jack first met in a nightclub in 2005.

Wedding Date and Info:

Jade, 27, and Tweed, 21, were married in eastern England's Hatfield Heath on the Hertfordshire-Essex border, at the 18th-century Down Hall Country House Hotel on February 22, 2009. Her 70-year old grandfather, John Caddock, was there to give her away during the 45-minute wedding ceremony.
Wedding Pictures

In order to pay for the education of her sons, the wedding was autioned off to the highest media bidder.

Jade's ivory and cream silk wedding dress was created by Manuel Mota for Pronovias.

"The wedding dress, which media reports say includes a pouch to hold Goody's medication, has been donated by Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed. Goody's bridesmaids were seen with the TV star Saturday, wearing plastic bald caps in a show of solidarity at the impact of her chemotherapy treatment."
Source: "Terminally-ill reality TV star Jade Goody marries." Cnn.com. 2/22/2009.

Their approximately 150 guests "mingled inside a marquee with the laughter of family and friends as they enjoyed a reception feast of jellied eels, mussels and lobster tagliatelle before gathering outside to watch a fireworks display in the heavens."
Source: "Jade Goody's Wedding" Lovetriper.com. 2/22/2009.

Children:

Jade has two sons.

• Bobby Jack Brazier: Born in 2003. His father is Jeff Brazier.
• Freddie Brazier: Born in 2004. His father is Jeff Brazier.
• Miscarriage: In 2007.

Health Issues:

Jade is dying of cervical cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer in August 2008. After a radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, it was revealed in February 2009 that Jade's cancer had spread to her liver, bowel, and groin.

Occupations:

Jade: Reality television star, entrepreneur.

Jack: Model, reality television star. After assaulting a teenager with a golf club, Jack Tweed is on probation.

"Although Tweed is under curfew, he was given special dispensation by Britain's Justice Ministry allowing him to spend Sunday evening with his bride."
Source: Raphael G. Satter. "Dying TV star Jade Goody's marriage grips Britain." News.yahoo.com. 2/22/2009.

Quotes About the Marriage of Jade and Jack:

Jack about their wedding: "It's weird, but it's like a film, I'm happy, but then I'm sad, obviously ... I've got things to say, like how proud I am of her and what she's achieved and everything, and obviously how beautiful she looks."
Source: "Tweed speaks out over sick Goody." BBC.co.uk. 2/19/2009.

Max Clifford: “This is their one night together. It might be their only night together. They’ll be spending the night together here, compliments of Jack Straw. We’re very grateful to him for that. “I know that both Jade and Jack are thrilled that they can spend the one night together. Then probably she’ll go home at some point tomorrow.”
Source: "Jade Goody wedding takes place amid media blackout." Timesonline.co.uk. 2/22/2009.

"Jade Goody once said that she dreamt of “a timeless wedding that I can look back on in 80 years' time”.
Source: Carol Midgley, Lucy Bannerman. "Jade Good's poignant celebrity wedding." Timesonline.co.uk. 2/21/2009.

Jade: "I don't really know how it happened, but Jack somehow managed to win me back round. And since then, thank goodness, he's never scared me in that way again."
Source: Jade Goody. Jade: Catch a Falliing Star. 2008. pg. 182.

Jade before her reconciliation with Jack: "There were just too many reasons to make a clean break. I’m 26 and Jack is only 20, so there’s a big age gap. Some days, I felt more like his mum than his lover. He’d become very needy and suddenly, I knew there was no going back. I just don’t need him in my life ... I’ll never date a toy boy again ..."
Source: Sarah Nathan. "Jade Goody has finally found a 'decent man' after ditching Jack Tweed for good." TheSun.co.uk. 5/20/2008.

source by : Sheri and Bob Stritof

Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg Marriage Profile

Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg have tried to protect their privacy and to remain out of the public spotlight. Aware of the toll that a political career can place on a marriage and family life, Caroline has carried on the family legacy of public service, but not politics. Here is information on how Caroliine and Edwin met, their wedding, children, and more.

Born:

Caroline Bouvier Kennedy: November 27, 1957 in New York, New York. Caroline was baptized in St. Patricks Cathedral on December 13, 1957.

Edwin Arthur Schlossberg: July 19, 1945 in New York, New York.

How Caroline and Edwin Met:

Edwin and Caroline met one in December 1981 in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In March 1986, Caroline and Edwin announced their engagement.

Wedding Date:

After an evening rehearsal at the church, Caroline and Ed attended a bridal dinner for 100 at the Hyannis Port Club.

When they were married on July 19, 1986 at Hyannis Port, Caroline was 28 and Ed was 41.

Their wedding, planned by Jackie Kennedy, was held at the Church of Our Lady of Victory in Centerville, Massachusetts. The afternoon ceremony did not include a mass. The church was decorated with summer flowers from Cape Cod.

Caroline's wedding attire was a white silk organza gown with a long waist, short sleeves, a twenty-five-foot train, and rounded neck designed by Carolina Herrera. The bodice of the wedding dress was appliqued with embroidered white shamrocks. She wore a tulle veil and carried a bouquet of white phaleonopsis orchids. Caroline wore diamond and pearl earrings that were a gift to her mother from her father.

Edward wore a Willi Smith designed blue linen suit with a silver linen tie. His boutonniere was made of stephapotis.

Caroline was escorted down the aisle by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger was matron of honor. John F. Kennedy Jr. was best man. Caroline had 7 bridesmaids wearing lavender and white and two flower girls wearing blue and white. Edwin had ten ushers who wore white trousers, gray ties, and blue blazers.

The wedding reception was held in a white tent on the lawn of Rose Kennedy's home at the family compound. The menu consisted of cold pea soup with mint, shrimp and apples, roast chicken with rice, cold sirloin of beef, a four-tiered yellow butter cake with chocolate filling and white icing, and vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream.

Some of the 400 guests at Caroline and Edwin's wedding reception included Art Buchwald, John Kenneth Galbraith, Arthur Schlesinger, Sen. Abraham Ribicoff, Sen. John Culver, Theodore Sorensen, McGeorge Bundy, Robert McNamara, Paul Fay, Dean Rusk, Douglas Dillon, Edward Koch, Hugh Carey, Leonard Bernstein, Byron White, and Jasper Johns. Carly Simon sang at the reception.

George Plimpton who gave a fireworks display to the newlyweds described their wedding: "... very convivial, very traditional."
Source: The News, Frederick, MD. 7/21/1986.

Caroline and Edwin honeymooned in Hawaii and Japan.

Children:

Edwin and Caroline have three children.

• Rose Kennedy Schlossberg: Born in 1988 in New York, New York.
• Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg: Born in 1990 in New York, New York.
• John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg: Born in 1993 in New York, New York.

Residence:

New York City. Edwin and Caroline own other properties.

Occupations:

Caroline: Lawyer, President of the JFK Library Foundation, author.

Edwin: Exhibit designer, interactive-media designer, author, poet, artist, cultural historian. Founder of ESI Design. Edwin is well known for his interactive-media exhibit at the Ellis Island American Family Immigration History Center.

Quotes about the Marriage of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg:

Paul Kirk Jr. about Caroline: "She is first and foremost a wife and mother. That's a key priority for her. She saw how important it was to her as a child."
Source: CNN.com

C. David Heyman: "During their five-year courtship, Ed had demonstrated his loyalty, his devotion, his basic decency, and his ability to protect Caroline. Above all, he shared with his bride a deep and abiding desire for a quiet, peaceful, and private existence."
Source: C. David Heymann. American Legacy: The Story of John and Caroline Kennedy. pg 290.

source by :Sheri & Bob Stritof

Maria and Nat King Cole Marriage Profile (1)

Maria and Nat King Cole Marriage Profile

The marriage of Maria and Nat King Cole lasted nearly 17 years and ended with his untimely death. Here is information on how they met, their wedding, children, and more.

Born:

Nat King Cole aka Nathaniel Adams Coles: March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Maria Hawkins Ellington aka Marie Antoinette Hawkins, Marie Winter: August 1, 1922 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Died:

Nat King Cole: February 15, 1965 of lung cancer at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California. He was interred in the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.

"We wanted to bury him with the dignity in which he lived." [People present at his funeral]: Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, George Burns, Jack Benny, George jessel, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean martin, Jerry Lewis, Rosemary Clooney, Jose Ferrer, Billy Daniels, Peter Lawford and others." Also in attendance: Frankie Laine, Vic Damone, Danny Thomas, Eddie (Rochester) Anderson, Edie Adams.
Source: Louie Robinson. "The Life and Death of Nat King Cole." Ebony. April 1965. pg. 123.

How Nat and Maria Met:

Maria and Nat met in 1947 while they were both performing at the Club Zanzibar in New York, New York. Reportedly, Eddie (Rochester) Anderson introduced Nat to Maria.

Wedding Date:

Six days after his divorce from Nadine Robinson, Nat and Maria were married on Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948 at Harlem's Abyssianian Baptist Church. Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Jr was the officiant at their large, expensive wedding.

Their wedding cake had five tiers. The couple honeymooned in Mexico City and Acapulco.

"The bride wore a blue off-shoulder satin gown and carried a bouquet of white roses ... About three thousand people attended the church ceremony ... Sarah Vaughan, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and a great number of other celebrities attended. Eddie Cole was Nat's best man, Maria's sister Charlotte was matron of honor, her other sister Carol was a bridesmaid and Carol's little daughter, also named Carol, was a flower girl."
Source: Marianne Ruuth. Nat King Cole. 1992. pg. 90-91.

Children:

Nat and Maria had five children.

• Carole "Cookie" Cole: Born in 1944 in Massachusetts.
Adopted in 1949 by Maria and Nat after Carole's mother, Maria's sister, died of tuberculosis. Carol became an actress.
• Natalie Maria Cole: Born in 1950 in Los Angeles, California. Natalie is an actress, singer, composer, and producer. Nataline has one child from her first marriage. She has been married three times. NatalieCole.com
• Nat Kelly Cole: Born in 1959. Adopted by Maria and Nat. Nat Kelly was an actor. He died on October 24, 1995 of from complications from AIDS.
• Timolin Cole: Born in 1961.
• Casey Cole: Born in 1961.

Occupations:

Nat: Singer, jazz pianist, actor.

Maria: Singer, band vocalist, philanthropist.

Residence:

Maria and Nat lived in a 6,800-square-foot ivy-covered brick English Tudor mansion in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The 20-room home was built in 1924. When sold in 1999, the home had "five bedrooms plus maid's quarters, a library with a fireplace, a master suite with a fireplace, a guest house, pool house, pool and two patios."
Source: "People Are Talking About ..." Jet. 8/9/1999. pg. 22.

Previous / Other Marriages:

Nat had one previous marriage:

• Nadine Robinson: Nat met Nadine, a dancer from St. Louis who was about ten years older than Nat, when they both worked on the musical revue Shuffle Along. Nat was only 17 years old when they were married by a judge on January 27, 1937 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. They were divorced on March 22, 1948.

Maria had one previous marriage and one marriage after Nat's death.

• Spurgeon Ellington: Maria and Spurgeon, an Army Air Force serviceman, were married from March 1943 until his death during a military accident in December 1945.
• Gary DeVore: After Nat's death, Maria married writer and producer Gary DeVore on October 17, 1969 in Los Angeles, California. They divorced in June 1976. Gary married three more times. Gary died in 1997 after an apparent automobile accident.

Quotes About the Marriage of Maria and Nat King Cole

<sub>Other Sources:
Lynn Norment. "The best weddings of the last 50 years." Ebony. June 1995.
"Cole's widow says new stamp has incorrect date of birth." Jet. Sept 5, 1994. pg. 56.

Source by : Sheri and Bob Stritof</sub>

Bob Hope and Dolores Reade Marriage Profile

Bob Hope and Dolores Reade Marriage Profile

If you are looking for a positive example of a celebrity marriage, you don't have to look any further than the life long union of Bob Hope and Dolores Reade.

Sixty-nine years ago, it was love at first sight for Bob Hope and a young singer named Dolores Reade. According to an interview in the Desert Sun, Dolores has said that Bob often told folks that "it was love at first song."

After they were introduced to one another by George Murphy, Dolores told her mother that she had met her future husband. In the same interview, Dolores describes Bob as not only very good-looking, but very neat and very warm. They married three months later in Erie, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1934. They adopted four children, and enjoyed four grandchildren. The couple often toured together and spent a great deal of their time with one another on the road.

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We remember hearing Bob and Dolores share many, many years ago on a television interview that they had some rough times in their marriage journey. They revealed that what kept them together was not only their love and respect for each other, but their firm belief in the vows they made to one another when they married. Unlike many celebrity marriages, there was no hint of scandal about the Hope household.

When the Desert Sun reporter asked Dolores about her long-term marriage, she responded, "It’s all been pretty good. It’s all been pretty good." Wouldn't it be great if we all could say that after 69 years of marriage?

Birth Name: Leslie Townes Hope
Born: May 29, 1903 in London (Eltham), England.
Died: July 27, 2003 at his home in Toluca Lake, California of pneumonia.

Birth Name: Dolores Reade
Born: May 27, 1909

Marriage: February 19, 1934 - til his death.

Children: Kelly, Zachary, Linda, and Tony

Grandchildren: Four

source by: Sheri & Bob Stritof

Barack and Michelle Obama Marriage Profile

What You Can Learn From the Marriage of Michelle and Barack Obama:

Barack and Michelle understand the importance of putting a priority on their time together. Even with both of their busy schedules, Barack and Michelle make time for one another.

In an ABC interview, Michelle said that "Barack didn't pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise he's delivered." She also said as part of the division of labor in their house, Barack did the grocery shopping. Read more about their marriage in the spotlight.

News Updates:

01/20/09: Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States.

11/04/08: "Barack Obama, a first-term US senator from Illinois who campaigned on a message of hope and change, was elected the country's first African-American president tonight."
Source: Michael Kranish, Scott Helman. "Obama wins historic election." Boston.com. 11/04/08.

Election Night PDA

Born:

Barack "Barry" Hussein Obama, Jr.: August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His name Barack means "one who is blessed" in Swahili. He was raised in Hawaii and Indonesia.

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson: January 17, 1964 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Barack and Michelle Met:

In 1989, Michelle was working at a downtown law firm and assigned the role of advisor to a summer associate from Harvard, Barack Obama. He reportedly didn't have much interest in corporate law, but did have a lot of interest in Michelle.

She said "she fell in love with him for the same reason many other people respect him; his connection with people."
Source: Journal Gazette/Times-Courier Online

After refusing to go out with Barack for a month, Michelle agreed to spend the day with him. They went to the art institute, had lunch at an outdoor cafe, walked and talked, saw the movie Do the Right Thing, and had a drink on the 99th floor of the John Hancock building.

In a CNN interview with Suzanne Malveau, Michelle said "We clicked right away ... by the end of that date it was over ... I was sold."

Obama: "I think it's fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me. We might not have married. The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship."
Source: Mark Dagostino. "The Obamas' Secret to Love? Stevie Wonder." People.com. 2/26/09.

Wedding Date and Info:

Michelle and Barack's wedding ceremony was performed in October 1992 by Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois. The reception was held at the South Shore Cultural Center.

Stevie Wonder's song, "You and I" was Michelle and Obama's wedding song.

It was “one of the happier weddings that I had been to,” says MacArthur, “because people understood that putting the two of them together was like putting hydrogen and oxygen together to create this unbelievable life force. Everybody knew it. We understood that together they were going to be so much more than they would have been individually.”
Source: Carol Felsenthal. "The Making of a First Lady." ChicagoMag.com. 2/2009.

Obama Wedding & Anniversary Album
Obamas' Greatest PDA Moments Slideshow
More Barack and Michelle Obama PDA Moments

Children:

Barack and Michelle have two daughters.

• Malia Ann Obama: Born in 1998.
• Natasha Obama: Born in 2001.

Residence:

While their official residence is the White House, Barack and Michelle own a historic, $1.6 million Georgian revival home on Chicago's South Side with lots of play space for their girls. The home was purchased in 2005.

While in the Senate, Barack tried to make it a priority to be home every weekend from Thursday to Sunday.

Religion:

In a letter written 5/30/08 by Barack and Michelle, the couple resigned their membership in the Trinity United Church of Christ. Barack had been a member of the Chicago church for twenty years. More Info

Trivia:

Barack and Michelle returned most every Christmas to Hawaii where his grandmother and sister still lived.

Occupations:

Barack: President of the U.S.; elected in November 2004 as U.S. Senator representing Illinois; community organizer; civil rights lawyer; in 1997 elected as Illinois State Senator representing the 13th Senate District on Chicago's South Side; senior lecturer specializing in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School. Barack has served on the boards of several civic and philanthropic organizations.

Michelle: First Lady of the U.S, former Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. In May 2007, she announced she would quit her job: "It's a bit disconcerting," she said. "But it's not like I'll be bored."

Source: MSNBC.com