Alex Brandon/AP Images
There’s a quiet but powerful force at work in the White House.
Her name is Karen Pence.
The Second Lady’s influence often goes unnoticed amidst the noisy exits and vicious power struggles that characterize the Trump White House.
But she is in fact the closest advisor to her husband, US Vice President Mike Pence — President Donald Trump’s second-in-command.
Karen Pence has even been a focus in some recent controversies, like the couple’s expensive decision to walk out of a NFL game over flag protests.
The Washington Post reports Karen Pence has often asserted that she never attempts to sway policy. However, her 32 year marriage to the former Indiana governor has been a major influence on him throughout his political career. Karen — who Mike Pence refers to as “Mother,” according to the Rolling Stone’s extensive profile — is a major player behind the scenes.
Here’s a look inside the marriage of Mike and Karen Pence:
Before she met Mike, the future Second Lady was married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. John Steven Whitaker. The Washington Post reported Karen’s first marriage ended in divorce, partly due to the couple’s youth and Whitaker’s intense medical school schedule.
Olivier Matthys/AP Images
Source: The Washington Post
Mike and Karen first met in 1983, in the parking lot outside of Indianapolis’ St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Karen played the guitar there during Mass, according to the Republic.
Michael Conroy/AP Images
Source: The Republic, Indianapolis Monthly
At the time, Karen was teaching shop at a local school, while Mike was studying law at Indiana University, along with one of Karen’s sisters. According to the IndyStar, after their first meet-up at church, Mike begged the school’s registrar for Karen’s sister’s number.
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Source: IndyStar
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