Ann Romney: Survivor and Fighter

During the 2008 Presidential election, Ann Romney became a well-known figure in American politics. As her husband, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, traveled the country, attempting to win the hearts and minds of Americans, Mrs. Romney was by his side. But there is much more to her than being the wife of a former Governor and Presidential candidate. Here is a look at the life of Ann Romney:

Ann Lois Davies was born in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 1949 to Edward and Lois Davies. She grew up in Michigan and met the man who would later become her husband as an elementary student at Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, but they would not begin dating until she was sixteen and after his senior prom. In 1969, when Governor Romney returned home from missionary work in France, the couple was married. Mrs. Romney, who had begun her college career at Brigham Young, graduated from Harvard Extension School with a degree in French Language. While her husband was taking on the world of business and politics, she took pleasure in taking care of the couple's five sons, Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben, and Craig and teaching scripture classes.

In 1998, Ann Romney was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but has worked hard to overcome the condition. In a 2007 interview with People Magazine, Mrs. Romney said,

"The thing people are most curious about is that I have MS and then the fact that I've overcome it. When you're used to being healthy and strong and vibrant and everything and then – bang – overnight you're desperately ill, it's frightening. People liken it to the same stages you go through grieving a death, where it takes a long time to accept it. Now that I've had it a number of years, I spend a lot of time on the phone privately talking to people who have just been recently diagnosed. That's my way of helping others. I always recommend going to a good doctor, doing the right medicines and then combining that with holistic treatments."

In late 2008, Mrs. Romney faced another health scare, but like her battle with Multiple Sclerosis, she overcame it. Following a routine mammogram, Romney was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Sutu which is often called the early stages of breast cancer, even though it's non-invasive. After the diagnosis, she underwent a lumpectomy and has been cancer-free ever since.

Mrs. Romney's spent much of her time as First Lady of Massachusetts doing charity work. One of her main focuses was on teen pregnancy prevention efforts and she spent a lot of time involved with a number of children's charities. She served as director of the inner city-oriented group, Best Friends and Operation Kids of Salt Lake City presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She also served as a board member for the United Way and as Governor's Liaison to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, along with becoming a member of the New England chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Chapter.

When she isn't involved with charity, her husband, five sons, or eleven grandchildren, Mrs. Romney is an avid equestrian. She has even received awards in dressage at adult amateur and national levels. In 2006, she earned a gold medal and in 2005, she won a silver medal at the Grand Prix level from the United States Dressage Federation. In 2004, along with her trainer, Jan Ebling, Romney qualified for the Pan-Am games. Mrs. Romney accredits her ability to deal with her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis to her involvement in the sport.