Elizabeth Edwards | |
|---|---|
_(2).jpg) Edwards in 2008 | |
| Born | Mary Elizabeth Anania July 3, 1949 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | December 7, 2010 (aged 61) |
| Resting place | Historic Oakwood Cemetery |
| Education | University of Mary Washington University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA, JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including Cate |
Mary Elizabeth Anania Edwards (July 3, 1949 – December 7, 2010) was an American attorney, author, and health care activist. She was married to John Edwards, the former U.S. Senator from North Carolina who was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
Edwards lived a private life until her husband's rise as senator and ultimately unsuccessful vice presidential and presidential campaigns. She was his chief policy advisor during his presidential bid,[1] and was instrumental in pushing him towards more liberal stances on subjects such as universal health care.[1] She was also an advocate for gay marriage,[2] and was against the Iraq War,[1] both topics about which she and her husband disagreed.[1]
In the final years of her life, Edwards publicly dealt with her husband's admission of an extramarital affair and her breast cancer, writing two books and making numerous media appearances.[3][4] She separated from John Edwards in early 2010.[5] On December 6, 2010, her family announced that her cancer had spread and that her doctors had stated that further treatment would be unproductive. She died the next day.[6]
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, Patricia (December 7, 2010). "Lived her private pain on a public stage". The Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
- ^ Evans, Vanessa (December 8, 2010). "Elizabeth Edwards Supported Gay Marriage and Equality". Yahoo News contributor. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
- ^ Edwards, Elizabeth (September 2006). Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers. Random House. ISBN 978-0-7679-2537-2.
- ^ Edwards, Elizabeth (2009). Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities. Random House. ISBN 978-0-7679-3136-6.
- ^ "Elizabeth Edwards says she's separated from John". USA Today. January 27, 2010. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ Kennedy, Helen (December 7, 2010). "Elizabeth Edwards, 61, dies after battle with cancer, surrounded by family, estranged husband John". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 13, 2010.