Elizabeth Edwards has faced the death of her oldest son and stage 4 cancer with dignity and courage. Read about this not-so-typical political wife.
Mary Elizabeth Edwards (nee Anania) was born in Jacksonville, Florida on July 3, 1949. She spend her childhood throughout the world, as her father Vincent was a Navy U-2 pilot.
Education and Career
Edwards earned a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She completed three years of graduate study at UNC in American Literature, but then decided to earn a law degree instead. At the University of North Carolina School of Law , she met fellow student John Edwards, who was four years her junior. Elizabeth and John married on July 30, 1977—days after she passed the bar exam.
After her marriage, Edwards built a family and a law career. Son Wade was born in 1979, followed by daughter Catharine (Cate) in 1982. Edwards began her career as a clerk for a federal judge in Virginia and then worked at the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. She practiced law in both Memphis and Raleigh and also taught legal writing as an adjunct. Until 1996, she went by her maiden name, Elizabeth Anania.
Death of Wade Edwards
The Edwards’ lives changed forever in 1996, when sixteen-year-old Wade lost control of his Jeep on a windy highway and was killed. Devastated, the couple made drastic changes in their lives. Elizabeth Edwards abandoned her law career and took her husband’s last name. She and John founded the Wade Edwards Foundation, and Edwards devoted much of her time to the administration of this educational foundation. John Edwards also left his legal practice (he had hoped Wade would follow in his footsteps) and successfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 1996.
The Edwards’ also decided to have two children at a very late age. With the help of reproductive therapies, Elizabeth Edwards gave birth to Emma Claire in 1998 at the age of 48, and then to John Atticus (Jack) in 2000 at the age of 50.
Recent Headlines
In 2004, Elizabeth Edwards was thrown into the spotlight when John became the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate under John Kerry. She was received favorably by the public, who saw her as down-to-earth.
Late in her husband’s campaign, Edwards was shocked to find a lump in her breast. She was diagnosed with breast cancer the day after Kerry conceded. After treatment, Edwards was declared cancer free. She then wrote Saving Graces, an emotional and inspirational autobiography highlighted by the death of her son and her battle with breast cancer.
John Edwards entered the 2008 presidential campaign. On March 22, 2007, the Edwards announced that Elizabeth’s cancer was back and had spread. She now had metastatic (stage 4) cancer that was considered treatable but not curable. John Edwards announced that with his wife’s guidance, he had decided not to suspend his campaign. This decision was met with criticism by some, but with a good deal of support by most of the public.
The copyright of the article Profile of Elizabeth Edwards in Newspaper Publishing is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Profile of Elizabeth Edwards in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Elizabeth, you are an amazing lady. May God bless you.
May 16, 2008 7:48 AM
Guest :
A strong and beautiful wife, mother and demonstrates a love for life. May
God touch her body and remove that vile curse. She and her husband are
wonderful trudging through their setback in life. Elizabeth dear, stay
strong...
May 16, 2008 7:55 AM
Guest :
May God watch over you Elizabeth and always beleive in miracles.
May 16, 2008 8:33 AM
Guest :
Elizabeth, you are indeed an inspiration to mothers who have lost children
and have acquired a sickness, stay strong and believe in your God and He
will bring you through your trials and tribulations. May your faith never
fade away.
J
May 16, 2008 8:41 AM
Guest :
God has not brought you and your family Elizabeth this far to leave you.
Keep the faith and know that Jesus still heals. Believe in spite of...God
Bless you all ways.
May 16, 2008 8:58 AM
Guest :
You are always in my prayers, keep the faith.
May 16, 2008 9:11 AM
Guest :
The power of prayer knows no limits and miracles are very real, my grandson
is prove of this. When Drs. told us they could do no more for him
(lukemia) and that he was hours and maybe minutes from death, he is our
living, breathing miracle. Never give up!!
May 16, 2008 9:13 AM
Guest :
Upon hearing of the Edwards' efforts to have more children after the death
of Wade, I felt that they were trying to replace him with another son. I
also felt that Cate was probably neglected during their time of grieving.
When the 2 younger children were born she was made to feel that she was
enough child for them.
May 16, 2008 9:57 AM
Guest :
Life is a roller coaster, we human being take life for granted. I feel
deeply for Elizabeth and the struggles she is going through. I dont know
how she may have peace and tranquility after so much has happened in her
life however I do know there is a super natural power who shall surely help
the Edwards find eternal happiness!
Elizabeth - have faith and
remain strong! You are a woman of essence!
regards, Ben Toronto, Canada
May 16, 2008 11:22 AM
Guest :
I really admire Elizabeth,to go thru what she has gone thru and still have
a positive attitude and be a example for others takes courage.I wish her
all the BEST.
May 16, 2008 11:30 AM
Guest :
May the force be with you and the stars shine bright
May 16, 2008 11:55 AM
Guest :
You are a compassionate and caring woman. God will bless you and your
family to help you through these difficult times.
best
regards,
Hazel
May 16, 2008 12:00 PM
Guest :
I will wish for your quick recovery in my bedtime prayers
May 16, 2008 12:23 PM
Guest :
I think you are an inspiration to many women and I do think your husband
was given a raw deal on this last presidential campaign. The media never
gave him a chance, but both of you show a great deal of poise and manners
in behaving the way you did,I would have voted for him, NowI just probably
won't vote at all.
