Who Is Mike Johnson's Wife What to Know About Kelly Johnson and Their Covenant Marriage

After former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from his position in October 2023, the Republican Party selected Louisiana Representative Mike Johnson as his successor. During his acceptance speech on October 25th, Johnson expressed his gratitude to his wife of over two decades, Kelly Johnson, who was unable to attend the event as it was a sudden development. Johnson mentioned, "I want to thank my dedicated wife of almost 25 years, Kelly. She's not here; we couldn't secure a flight in time. This happened sort of suddenly." He added, "She's spent the last couple of weeks on her knees in prayer to the Lord. And, um, she's a little worn out. We all are." Mike Johnson, a far-right congressman from Louisiana, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016. His tenure has been characterized by his strong opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. He and Kelly tied the knot in 1999 and have four children together – Hannah, Abigail, Jack, and Will. The couple often shares updates about their children's lives and interests on their Facebook profiles. Of note is their unique "covenant marriage." Kelly Johnson received her degree in elementary education from Louisiana Tech University and later became a certified teacher. She taught elementary and secondary education in both private and public schools across Louisiana before pivoting to work as a licensed pastoral counselor at Onward Christian Counseling Services, where she is the founder and president. This practice offers religious-based individual, marriage, and family counseling to people throughout the state. Additionally, since 2018, Kelly has served as a director and advisor to the Louisiana Right to Life organization. The love story between Mike and Kelly began while he was pursuing his law degree at Louisiana State University. They first met, and astonishingly, Johnson confessed his love for her just three weeks later. In a heartfelt Facebook post, he recalled the early days of their relationship, stating, "I told Kelly I loved her about three weeks after we met(!), and I really did. But I couldn't have known then how that early infatuation would mature over the years into the deep, soulful appreciation I now have for everything about this amazing woman who has birthed our children, stood by my side in triumph and defeat, and become even more beautiful to me with each passing day." Their journey as a couple began when they exchanged vows on May 1, 1999. They celebrated 24 years of marriage in 2023, and to commemorate the occasion, Johnson shared a quote by Franz Schubert on Facebook: "Happy is the man who finds a true friend, and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife." One noteworthy aspect of their relationship is their covenant marriage, a type of marriage arrangement that restricts divorce until at least two years after the wedding and only under specific circumstances. Covenant marriages are legally recognized in only three states, including Louisiana. In a 2001 interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, both Mike and Kelly Johnson elaborated on their decision. Kelly mentioned, "From a woman's perspective, I've been in some bad relationships before, and I just knew that when I met the man that I was supposed to marry, I wanted to know it was for a lifetime. It gives me such peace and security." Mike Johnson revealed that part of his motivation for a covenant marriage stemmed from the trauma of his own parents' divorce. He emphasized his commitment to marriage, fidelity, and the emotional toll that divorce can inflict on a family. Kelly echoed these sentiments, adding that Mike's willingness to enter a covenant marriage was a sign of his desire for a lifelong commitment. She stated that it would have been a "red flag" if her partner had been unwilling to engage in a covenant marriage. In addition to their strong commitment to each other, the Johnsons are the proud parents of four children: two daughters, Hannah and Abigail, and two sons, Jack and Will. Hannah graduated from Louisiana State University in 2022 and is currently pursuing a law degree. Abigail is in the final stages of her undergraduate studies and plans to attend law school as well. Despite the demands of Mike's political career, their children have consistently demonstrated resilience and determination, much to their parents' pride. In a heartfelt Facebook post in June 2023, Johnson expressed his and Kelly's immense pride in their children, acknowledging the sacrifices they make to support their parents and their unwavering commitment to their own pursuits.

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