Mary Pat Christie | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Christie in 2016 | |
| First Lady ofNew Jersey | |
| In role January 19, 2010 – January 16, 2018 | |
| Governor | Chris Christie |
| Preceded by | Mary Jo Codey(2006) |
| Succeeded by | Tammy Murphy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mary Pat Foster (1963-09-15)September 15, 1963 (age 62) Paoli,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Delaware (BA) Seton Hall University (MBA) |
Mary Pat Christie (néeFoster; born September 15, 1963) is an American investment banker who was the First Lady ofNew Jersey between 2010 and 2018. She is married to former New Jersey Governor and2016 and2024 presidential candidateChris Christie.
Christie was born to an Irish Catholic family in the Philadelphia suburb ofPaoli, Pennsylvania, the ninth of 10 children.[1][2][3] She was Class President of theUniversity of Delaware Class of 1985 (her husband was President of the Class of 1984).[4] Christie earned her MBA atSeton Hall University in New Jersey.[5]
The Christies, both then recent graduates of theUniversity of Delaware, were married in 1986. As newlyweds, they shared a studio apartment inSummit, New Jersey.[6] She and her husband have 4 children: Andrew (b. 1993), Sarah (b. 1996), Patrick (b. 2000) and Bridget (b. 2003).[7] The family resides inMendham Township.[8][9]
Governor Christie has cited his wife's success as a bond trader as enabling him to have a relatively low-paid political career.[10][11] When a colleague teased him about this, the Governor responded, "Listen, I just have three words for you: joint checking account. That money all lands in the same place, baby. It's fine by me."[10]
Mary Pat insisted that the family not move to the New JerseyGovernor's Mansion inPrinceton, New Jersey, so that the children would not have to change schools.[10]
Mary Pat Christie pursued a career ininvestment banking, eventually working at a Wall Street investment firm located two blocks from theWorld Trade Center.[12] On the day of theSeptember 11 attacks, she lost cell phone reception and was unable to contact her family.[13]
She became a managing director at theWall Street investment firmAngelo, Gordon & Co.[14][15] She left her position with Angelo, Gordon & Co. in April 2015, stating that she wanted to spend more time with her family.[16]
WhenHurricane Sandy devastated communities along the Jersey Shore in 2012, Mary Pat took a three-month leave from her job to set up and run theHurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.[17] Mary Pat heads the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, theDrumthwacket Foundation andNew Jersey Heroes.[18]
She used her fundraising prowess again to assist Christie'scampaign for President.[19]
Mary Pat accompanied the Governor as he campaigned in 2015.[3] When he had to return to New Jersey in January 2016 as theblizzard of 2016 bore down on his state, Mary Pat stayed inNew Hampshire and substituted for the Governor at scheduled campaign stops.[20][21]