10 Things You Didn't Know About Ann Romney

Compiled by the U.S.News & World Report library staff

1. Ann Davies was born on April 16, 1949. Her father, Edward Davies, once served as part-time mayor of her hometown, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. She has two brothers, Jim and Rod.

2. She met Mitt at a party in 1965 when she was a sophomore at the Kingswood School, a high school in Bloomfield Hills. For their first date, Mitt took Ann to see the movie The Sound of Music.

3. Ann and Mitt endured a long-distance relationship while he spent a year at Stanford University. After his freshman year, he went to France for two years on a mission with the Mormon Church. Ann was interested in Mitt's religion early in their relationship. While Mitt was away, Ann often went to church with Mitt's father, George, and soon converted to Mormonism. Ann asked George to baptize her. Soon after, both of Ann's brothers also converted.

4. Ann graduated from Brigham Young University, earning a bachelor's degree with a concentration in French. She enrolled while Mitt was in France. Upon his return, he joined Ann at BYU.

5. Ann and Mitt were married on March 21, 1969, a few months after Mitt returned from his mission work.

6. The Romneys have five sons, who range in age from 26 to 37. Their firstborn, Taggart, was born on their first wedding anniversary.

7. In 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which is in remission. Along with eating healthfully and exercise, Ann uses alternative treatments including meditation and reflexology.

8. She is an award-winning equestrian. Ann won medals in 2005 and 2006 from the United States Dressage Federation at the Grand Prix level.

9. Ann's long commitment to charities continued when her husband became governor of Massachusetts in 2003. While she was the state's first lady, Ann was involved in causes that focused on underprivileged children and the prevention of teen pregnancy. In 2005 she took the unpaid position of liaison to assist Massachusetts's charitable and faith-based organizations in applying for federal funding.

10. Ann and Mitt have 11 grandchildren.

Sources:
Associated Press
Boston Globe
Boston Herald
Florida Times-Union
mittromney.com
People
Salt Lake Tribune
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
St. Petersburg Times
USA Today