As the longest-serving Senate party leader, Mitch McConnell has become a significant piece of the U.S. conservative movement. Although a famous conservative lawmaker, his beliefs weren’t always on the far-right end of the political spectrum.
The Republican probably wouldn’t have achieved this status without the help of the women in his life, including his ex-wife, Sherrill Redmon. Aside from building a family with Redmon, McConnell leaned on her political knowledge in the early days of his career.
The longest-serving senate republican leader’s ex-wife, Redmon, is a retired feminist scholar. The duo married in the late 1960s and were a power couple. However, they parted ways twelve years after tying the knot, with Sherrill Redmon living away from the limelight.
Here’s what we know about her.
Who Is Sherrill Redmon?
Sherrill Redmon was born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America, to politician parents Charles Redmon and Doris in February 1943. Hence, she is 80 years old. Although there are few details about her early life, Redmon holds American nationality and is of mixed ethnicity, thanks to her parents.
In addition, she grew up in Louisville with her parents and three siblings, Walter, David, and Lee Ann Redmon. While details about her elementary education elude the media, Redmon reportedly attended Seneca High School.
After graduating high school, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Afterward, she enrolled for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in American History at the University of Kentucky and graduated in 1974.
Where Did Sherrill Redmon and Mitch McConnell Meet?
Mitch McConnell and Sherrill Redmon were college sweethearts. The former couple met in 1962 while studying at the University of Louisville. Although there are no details regarding when the lovebirds started dating, they dated for some time before taking their relationship to the next level. McConnell and Redmon exchanged wedding vows in 1968.
Nine years after his wedding to Redmon, McConnell became the Judge of Jefferson County in December 1977. Hence, he spent most of his time away from home. However, twelve years into their marriage, Sherrill Redmon and McConnell agreed to separate. The couple’s separation in 1980 confused many people as they never stated the primary reason behind their divorce.
Following their divorce, Mitch McConnell married Elaine Chao in 1993. Like McConnell’s first wife, Chao is politically active. She was the Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump.
What Does Mitch McConnell’s First Wife Do?
Sherrill Redmon is a retired feminist scholar and a progressive activist for women’s rights and empowerment. The lives of millions of women in the U.S. have improved due to Redmon’s feminist ideas, initiatives, and projects.
Following her divorce from McConnell in 1980, Redmon, who has a Ph.D. in American History, moved to Massachusetts. There, she worked on the Voices of Feminism Oral History Project with the feminist icon Gloria Steinem.
In addition, she enrolled at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, as a feminist scholar. Afterwards, she became the school’s director for the Sophia Smith Collection of the Women’s History Archives in 1993. The collection comprises documents about women’s progress and challenges in the U.S. However, Redmon made the group racially and culturally diverse before retiring from Smith College in 2012.
Aside from her feminist activism, McConnell’s first wife actively collects charitable donations for people and animals. Consequently, she is also the director of the “Take On Wall Street” campaign, which comprises over 20 labor unions and activist groups championing reforms in the American financial industry. In addition, the unions and groups demand regulations for the economic power of banks and the world’s billionaires.
How Many Children Does Sherrill Redmon Have?
Sherrill Redmon has three daughters from her twelve-year-long marriage to Mitch McConnell. Redmon and her ex-husband welcomed their first child, Eleanor “Elly” McConnell, in 1972. According to reports, Elly is an environmentalist and a registered Democrat.
Afterwards, the former couple had their second daughter, Claire McConnell, in 1976. According to reports, Claire taught at the Hawthorne Valley School in New York in 2003. However, it is unclear whether she is still an educator.
Lastly, Redmon and her then-husband welcomed a daughter, Porter McConnell, in 1979, a year before their divorce. Like her mom, Porter is a feminist, activist, and politician. She is the campaign director for “Take on Wall Street,” a left-wing advocacy coalition. On Twitter, Porter describes herself as an activist for “economic, racial and gender justice.”
Is Mitch McConnell’s First Wife Still Alive?
Yes, she is. Although several rumors have been flying that Mitch McConnell’s first wife is dead, there is no proof to validate the claims. Following her divorce from the renowned lawmaker, Sherrill Redmon kept a low profile. Hence, it is unclear whether she remarried or not. However, she resides in Whately, Massachusetts, USA, with her cats, Nick and Nell.
Like Sherrill Redmon, another celebrity spouse who has gained media attention is Sean Hannity’s ex-wife, Jill Rhodes.
