Inside the Trump-endorsed marriage of Mike Pence, who calls his wife 'mother' and refuses to dine with other women

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 amid the noisy exits and vicious power struggles that characterize the Trump White House.

But she is in fact the closest adviser to her husband, US Vice President Mike Pence President Donald Trump's second-in-command.

At the 2018 Conservative Political Action Conference, when Karen Pence took to the stage to introduce her husband , she revealed that he enjoys winding down on Friday nights with a "supreme thin crust" pizza and a bottle of O'Doul's alcohol-free beer. She also told the crowd that her husband is a talented cartoonist and an avid reader.

Karen Pence has sometimes 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 reported that she has often asserted she never attempts to sway policy.

But 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 in 2017 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 Karens first marriage ended in divorce, partly due to the couples youth and Whitakers intense medical school schedule.

BusinessInsider USA Images

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.

BusinessInsider USA Images

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 Karens sisters. According to the IndyStar, after their first meet-up at church, Mike begged the schools registrar for Karens sisters number.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Source: IndyStar

The registrar eventually gave Mike the digits, but the first date almost didnt happen. Karen was at her sisters house, babysitting her niece and nephew. When she answered the phone, Mike panicked and hung up.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Source: IndyStar

Mike did end up calling again. Karen told him to come over for a taco salad dinner and asked him to go ice-skating. The IndyStar reported Mike, Karen, and her niece and nephew went skating at the Pepsi Coliseum a few days later. Afterwards, Karens niece made a $1 bet that Mike would marry her aunt.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Source: IndyStar

Karen said she thought the first date went well, too. "When I first met Mike Pence, it was love at first sight," she later said, in a 2012 gubernatorial campaign ad.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Source: CNN

But, for Mike and Karen, the budding relationship took a backseat to one thing. The Second Lady has told CBN that her then-boyfriend encouraged her to always put God before him.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Fernando Vergara/AP Images

Source: Business Insider , CBN

After eight months of dating, Karen had the word "yes" engraved on a gold cross. She carried it around in her purse, in anticipation of Mikes marriage proposal, according to the Washington Post.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Images

Source: The Washington Post

Karen was able to give Mike her golden cross about a month later, along a canal in Indianapolis where the couple often strolled and fed ducks. Mike had hollowed out two loaves of bread, stowing a bottle of champagne into one and the ring in the other. The Washington Post reported the Pences later shellacked the bread to save as a keepsake.

BusinessInsider USA Images

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Source: The Washington Post

On June 8, 1985, the couple was married at St. Christophers Roman Catholic Church in Speedway, Indiana. The Indiana University registrar who had given Mike Karens sisters phone number was in attendance, too.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Images

Source: Death and Taxes Magazine

The Catholic Church does not recognize civil divorces, so Karens first marriage may have been annulled. Either way, the newlyweds reception was held at the Midway Motor Lodge, and they planned to travel to Nassau for their honeymoon, according to The Columbus Herald.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Alex Brandon/AP Images

Source: Death and Taxes Magazine , Newspapers.com

During the first six years of their marriage, the Pences dealt with infertility. "We didnt tell anybody we were struggling," Karen told The Federalist. "... Its hard because people who dont go through infertility, I really dont think they can really feel what it feels like when you just want that baby more than anything, and it just isnt happening."

BusinessInsider USA Images

Yuri Gripas/Reuters

Source: The Federalist

But the couple went on to have three children. The eldest, Michael Pence Jr., is a Marine. Middle child Charlotte is training to be an agent at United Talent Agency. Audrey, the youngest of the Pence siblings, is studying law at Yale.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Michael Conroy/AP Images

Source: USA Today , SMH , The DePaulia , Us Magazine , The Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun

The couple frequently exercises together, even going on lengthy cycling trips.

BusinessInsider USA Images

CBS News/Youtube

Source: Washington Post

Pence does not attend events with alcohol without Karen. He also does not dine alone with other women. Some have criticized this rule as sexist.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Lee Jin-man/AP Images

Source: Washington Post

At some point during their marriage, the Pences left the Catholic Church and became evangelical Christians. Mikes former colleague Mark Bailey told The New York Times Karen was a huge part of her husbands "faith journey" and that he often referred to her as the familys "prayer warrior."

BusinessInsider USA Images

Eric Gay/AP Images

Source: The New York Times

Now that theyve moved to DC, the Pences have been spotted attending service at Sanibel Community Church in Florida and the Anglican Falls Church in Virginia.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Source: Religion News , Free Republic

Karen previously told The Republic that shes had a major say in some of her husbands biggest career decisions: "Weve always approached it that way. It would be difficult to do this separately."

BusinessInsider USA Images

Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Images

Source: The Republic

Because Karen is one of Mikes most formidable advisors, the Washington Post reported that Trump personally apologized to her after the bombshell "Access Hollywood" scandal.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Images

Source: Washington Post

Trump has since praised the Pences relationship, saying they have "one hell of a good marriage going."

BusinessInsider USA Images

Alex Brandon/AP Images

Source: Business Insider

Given the nature of their relationship, The Washington Post describes Karen as her husbands "gut check and shield." The vice president has said she is "the best part of my life," telling the IndyStar, "Everything we do in public life, we do together. I cant imagine it any other way."

BusinessInsider USA Images

Michael Conroy/AP Images

Source: Washington Post , Mic , IndyStar

Karen told CNN shes still learning about being a spouse through watching her son Michaels wife, Sarah. "She insists that [Michael] has his responsibilities in the house and she has hers. And I tend to say, Oh, you know, the vice president is really busy, Ill do this for him, and really its better if you dont."

BusinessInsider USA Images

AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

Source: CNN

Inside the Trump-endorsed marriage of Mike Pence, who calls his wife 'mother' and refuses to dine with other women

Recommended articles

Before she met Mike, the future Second Lady was married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. John Steven Whitaker. The Washington Post reported Karens first marriage ended in divorce, partly due to the couples youth and Whitakers intense medical school schedule.

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.

At the time, Karen was teaching shop at a local school, while Mike was studying law at Indiana University, along with one of Karens sisters. According to the IndyStar, after their first meet-up at church, Mike begged the schools registrar for Karens sisters number.

The registrar eventually gave Mike the digits, but the first date almost didnt happen. Karen was at her sisters house, babysitting her niece and nephew. When she answered the phone, Mike panicked and hung up.

Mike did end up calling again. Karen told him to come over for a taco salad dinner and asked him to go ice-skating. The IndyStar reported Mike, Karen, and her niece and nephew went skating at the Pepsi Coliseum a few days later. Afterwards, Karens niece made a $1 bet that Mike would marry her aunt.

Karen said she thought the first date went well, too. "When I first met Mike Pence, it was love at first sight," she later said, in a 2012 gubernatorial campaign ad.

But, for Mike and Karen, the budding relationship took a backseat to one thing. The Second Lady has told CBN that her then-boyfriend encouraged her to always put God before him.

After eight months of dating, Karen had the word "yes" engraved on a gold cross. She carried it around in her purse, in anticipation of Mikes marriage proposal, according to the Washington Post.

On June 8, 1985, the couple was married at St. Christophers Roman Catholic Church in Speedway, Indiana. The Indiana University registrar who had given Mike Karens sisters phone number was in attendance, too.

The Catholic Church does not recognize civil divorces, so Karens first marriage may have been annulled. Either way, the newlyweds reception was held at the Midway Motor Lodge, and they planned to travel to Nassau for their honeymoon, according to The Columbus Herald.

But the couple went on to have three children. The eldest, Michael Pence Jr., is a Marine. Middle child Charlotte is training to be an agent at United Talent Agency. Audrey, the youngest of the Pence siblings, is studying law at Yale.

The couple frequently exercises together, even going on lengthy cycling trips.

Pence does not attend events with alcohol without Karen. He also does not dine alone with other women. Some have criticized this rule as sexist.

At some point during their marriage, the Pences left the Catholic Church and became evangelical Christians. Mikes former colleague Mark Bailey told The New York Times Karen was a huge part of her husbands "faith journey" and that he often referred to her as the familys "prayer warrior."

Now that theyve moved to DC, the Pences have been spotted attending service at Sanibel Community Church in Florida and the Anglican Falls Church in Virginia.

Karen previously told The Republic that shes had a major say in some of her husbands biggest career decisions: "Weve always approached it that way. It would be difficult to do this separately."

Because Karen is one of Mikes most formidable advisors, the Washington Post reported that Trump personally apologized to her after the bombshell "Access Hollywood" scandal.

Trump has since praised the Pences relationship, saying they have "one hell of a good marriage going."

Given the nature of their relationship, The Washington Post describes Karen as her husbands "gut check and shield." The vice president has said she is "the best part of my life," telling the IndyStar, "Everything we do in public life, we do together. I cant imagine it any other way."

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

US and French governments are lobbying Nigeria to host their military bases - report

Russian aid arrives in Niger amid growing bilateral ties

Kentucky Derby betting sites 2024: Where to bet on the races online

10 least powerful African passports in 2024

Top 10 African countries with the largest labor force

Video footage of Asian man beating two Africans sparks racism comments online

East Africa’s future in energy shines brighter on the continent

Infinix NOTE 40 Series takes centre stage with all-round fastcharge 2.0

Here are the new causes of Nigeria’s inflation according to the CBN governor

Inside the Trump-endorsed marriage of Mike Pence, who calls his wife 'mother' and refuses to dine with other women

Recommended articles

Before she met Mike, the future Second Lady was married to her high school sweetheart, Dr. John Steven Whitaker. The Washington Post reported Karens first marriage ended in divorce, partly due to the couples youth and Whitakers intense medical school schedule.

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.

At the time, Karen was teaching shop at a local school, while Mike was studying law at Indiana University, along with one of Karens sisters. According to the IndyStar, after their first meet-up at church, Mike begged the schools registrar for Karens sisters number.

The registrar eventually gave Mike the digits, but the first date almost didnt happen. Karen was at her sisters house, babysitting her niece and nephew. When she answered the phone, Mike panicked and hung up.

Mike did end up calling again. Karen told him to come over for a taco salad dinner and asked him to go ice-skating. The IndyStar reported Mike, Karen, and her niece and nephew went skating at the Pepsi Coliseum a few days later. Afterwards, Karens niece made a $1 bet that Mike would marry her aunt.

Karen said she thought the first date went well, too. "When I first met Mike Pence, it was love at first sight," she later said, in a 2012 gubernatorial campaign ad.

But, for Mike and Karen, the budding relationship took a backseat to one thing. The Second Lady has told CBN that her then-boyfriend encouraged her to always put God before him.

After eight months of dating, Karen had the word "yes" engraved on a gold cross. She carried it around in her purse, in anticipation of Mikes marriage proposal, according to the Washington Post.

On June 8, 1985, the couple was married at St. Christophers Roman Catholic Church in Speedway, Indiana. The Indiana University registrar who had given Mike Karens sisters phone number was in attendance, too.

The Catholic Church does not recognize civil divorces, so Karens first marriage may have been annulled. Either way, the newlyweds reception was held at the Midway Motor Lodge, and they planned to travel to Nassau for their honeymoon, according to The Columbus Herald.

But the couple went on to have three children. The eldest, Michael Pence Jr., is a Marine. Middle child Charlotte is training to be an agent at United Talent Agency. Audrey, the youngest of the Pence siblings, is studying law at Yale.

The couple frequently exercises together, even going on lengthy cycling trips.

Pence does not attend events with alcohol without Karen. He also does not dine alone with other women. Some have criticized this rule as sexist.

At some point during their marriage, the Pences left the Catholic Church and became evangelical Christians. Mikes former colleague Mark Bailey told The New York Times Karen was a huge part of her husbands "faith journey" and that he often referred to her as the familys "prayer warrior."

Now that theyve moved to DC, the Pences have been spotted attending service at Sanibel Community Church in Florida and the Anglican Falls Church in Virginia.

Karen previously told The Republic that shes had a major say in some of her husbands biggest career decisions: "Weve always approached it that way. It would be difficult to do this separately."

Because Karen is one of Mikes most formidable advisors, the Washington Post reported that Trump personally apologized to her after the bombshell "Access Hollywood" scandal.

Trump has since praised the Pences relationship, saying they have "one hell of a good marriage going."

Given the nature of their relationship, The Washington Post describes Karen as her husbands "gut check and shield." The vice president has said she is "the best part of my life," telling the IndyStar, "Everything we do in public life, we do together. I cant imagine it any other way."

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

US and French governments are lobbying Nigeria to host their military bases - report

Russian aid arrives in Niger amid growing bilateral ties

Kentucky Derby betting sites 2024: Where to bet on the races online

10 least powerful African passports in 2024

Top 10 African countries with the largest labor force

Video footage of Asian man beating two Africans sparks racism comments online

East Africa’s future in energy shines brighter on the continent

Infinix NOTE 40 Series takes centre stage with all-round fastcharge 2.0

Here are the new causes of Nigeria’s inflation according to the CBN governor

Trending

The rise and fall of Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, the ex-Binance CEO who pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering charges

Boohoo stock tumbles 30%, wiping $1.25 billion off its market value, after an explosive report into working conditions at one of its factories

Check out Taylor Swift's $100 million real estate portfolio, with houses from Nashville to Beverly Hills

Here's what 93-year-old Warren Buffett and YouTuber Ryan Trahan, 25, have in common