Mary Pat and Chris Christie Marriage Profile

It was good to learn that while making major decisions regarding his political career and family life, Christie's wife Mary Pat was an active participant in the decision making.

Christoper James "Chris" Christie: September 6, 1962 in Newark, New Jersey.

Mary Pat Foster: Abt. 1964 in Paoli, Pennsylvania.

Mary Pat and Chris met at the University of Delaware when Chris was a sophomore and Mary Pat was a freshman. Because she was "smart and articulate", Christie asked her in spring 1983 to run as secretary on his ticket for president of the student body. They started dating in the winter of 1984 and he proposed in December 1984.

"They won the election, and two years later, Christie proposed again -— this time for marriage."
Source: Amy Timmes. "Candid Candidate." ParkPlaceMag.com. 3/2009.

According to an New York Post article about their 25th anniversary, Chris and Pat were married on March 8, 1986.

Mary Pat and Chris have four children, two sons and two daughters.

• Andrew Christie: Born in 1993.
• Sarah Christie: Born in 1996.
• Patrick Christie: Born in 2000.
• Bridget Christie: Born in 2003.

Chris: 55th Governor of New Jersey since January 19, 2010; attorney; registered lobbyist.

Mary Pat: Investment banker, bond trader.

Chris and Mary Pat decided to not live in the official governor's mansion (Drumthwacket) and remain in their home that is about 35 miles away in Mendham, New Jersey.

Joe Kyrillos: “She [Mary Pat] does not get pushed around. She’s a tough Irish woman. She comes from a family of 10 kids! ... she’s a co-equal branch of the enterprise ... Off stage, she was as involved as anybody ... She was part of every meeting, part of every conference call, part of every briefing ... You don't mess around with Mary Pat.”
Source: Michelle Cottle. "Christie's Feisty First Lady." TheDailyBeast.com. 9/30/2011.

Chris: “I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman. I wouldn’t sign a bill like the one that was in New York.”
Source: Charlie Spiering. "Gov. Chris Christie: 'I believe marriage should be between one man and one woman.'" WashingtonExaminer.com. 6/26/2011.

Mary Pat: "Chris has an unbelievable ability to succinctly analysis a problem, come up with solutions. There's no better communicator."
Source: Piers Morgan Tonight CNN.comm. 6/14/2011.

Chris on what his mother Sondra Christie said: “My mother said to me all the time, ‘Christopher, you’re going to have choices in your life between being loved and being respected. ‘And you should choose respected. Because if you’re respected, love can come.’ She said, ‘But seeking love without also being respected —- well that love doesn’t last.’”
Source: Matt Bai. "How Chris Christie Did His Homework." NYTimes.com. 2/24/2011.

Mary Pat: "I rarely tell him he goes too far. I really encourage what he’s doing and I just really believe in what he’s doing. I’m not just saying that."
Source: Josh Margolin. "Mary Pat Christie readies for role as state's first lady." NJ.com. 1/02/2010.

Josh Margolin: "And she [Mary Pat] has told her husband that, in addition to their Sunday night family dinners, she will insist he has supper with her and the kids at least once a week, because 'Chris is such an important presence for us.'"
Source: Josh Margolin. "Mary Pat Christie readies for role as state's first lady." NJ.com. 1/02/2010.