The affair was with a "dear friend" of eight years. Jenny knew about the affair for about five months after finding a love letter. Jenny and Mark, according to some reports, attended marriage counseling sessions. Here's more information about the marriage and divorce of Jenny and philandering governor Mark Sanford.
"This came after many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation, yet I am still dedicated to keeping the process that lies ahead peaceful for our family." Full Text of Statements From First Lady and Governor
Source: Bruce Smith. "SC first lady files for divorce from cheating gov." SFGate.com. 12/11/2009.
Born:
Marshall Clement "Mark" Sanford, Jr: May 28, 1960 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.Jennifer "Jenny" Sullivan: Abt. 1962 in Winnetka, Illinois.
Jenny: “It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. It was more like friendship at first sight.”
Source: Monica Davey. "In Political Storm, Governor’s Wife Is Hurt but Unbowed." NYTimes.com. 6/27/2009.
Wedding Date:
Mark and Jenny were married on November 4, 1989 at Christ Memorial Chapel on Jupiter Island, Florida. The Rev. Leo O'Donovan, S.J., president of Georgetown University, performed the wedding ceremony. Jenny's sister Kathleen Sullivan was maid of honor and Mark's brother William Sanford was the best man.- Marshall Sanford
- Landon Sanford
- Bolton Sanford
- Blake Sanford
Occupations:
Jenny: Campaign manager, investment banker.Mark: South Carolina Governor, US Congressman, real estate agent, owner of Norton and Sanford Real Estate Investment.
Residence:
Mark and Jenny have a home on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.08/09/09: According to news reports, Jenny "moved out of the governor's official residence on Friday with their sons and plans to spend the school year at the family's beach house."
Jenny on if she would have stood beside Mark when he publicly confessed to the affair: “I wouldn't have. If he had asked me, I would have said no ... Certainly his actions hurt me, and they caused consequences for me, but they don't in any way take away my own self-esteem. They reflect poorly on him."
Source: Tim Smith. "What people didn't know was that I had asked Mark to leave." GreenvilleOnline.com. 12/09/2009.
Lee Ferran: "Marriage and family therapist Bethany Marshall said the first thing the Sanfords would need to work on is the governor's "appalling and remarkable lack of empathy" for his wife."
Source: Lee Ferran, Huma Khan. "S.C. Gov. Sanford Had 'Appalling ... Lack of Empathy,' an Expert Says." ABCNews.go.com. 7/1/2009.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty: "It's a sad and troubling situation with Jenny and Mark Sanford. I know them. I'm proud of Jenny for her strength and her commitment to her family and keeping that family together. Frankly, I was glad to see her not standing at the press conference like many have, and kind of charting her own path. Saying, look, I'm willing to forgive him, but I'm not going to stand here and condone this in any way."
Source: Sam Stein. "Pawlenty Whacks Sanford: 'Troubling And Hypocritical.'" HuffingtonPost.com. 6/28/2009.
Mark: "Jenny is my best friend; I trust her with anything I have, including my fortunes in running for governor."
Source: Henry Eichel. "Ex-Congressman Sanford Likes to Stir Up Politics ..." The Charlotte Observer. 10/27/2002. pg. 1Y.
