Mitch McConnell

==Personal life==
[[File:Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|McConnell and his wife, {{w|Elaine Chao}}, January 2019]]

=== Family ===
McConnell is a [[Southern Baptist]], baptized at age 8.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Autry |first1=Lisa |title=Religious Leaders Press McConnell on Social Issues |url=https://www.wkyufm.org/post/religious-leaders-press-mcconnell-social-issues |access-date=December 16, 2020 |work=WKU Public Radio Service of Western Kentucky University |date=August 14, 2014 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303214214/https://www.wkyufm.org/post/religious-leaders-press-mcconnell-social-issues |url-status=live }}</ref> He was married to his first wife, Sherrill Redmon, from 1968 to 1980 and had three daughters, Porter, Eleanor (Elly), and Claire.<ref>[https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/20/how-mitch-mcconnell-became-trumps-enabler-in-chief How Mitch McConnell became Trump's enabler-in-chief] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919035353/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/04/20/how-mitch-mcconnell-became-trumps-enabler-in-chief |date=September 19, 2020 }}, ''[[The New Yorker]]'', Jane Mayer, April 12, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mitch McConnell Fast Facts|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/13/us/mitch-mcconnell-fast-facts/|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=February 5, 2017|archive-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427230100/http://edit/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.britannica.com/facts/Mitch-McConnell : Facts & Related Content] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107155045/https://www.britannica.com/facts/Mitch-McConnell |date=November 7, 2021 }}, ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> Porter McConnell is the campaign director for Take on Wall Street, a left-wing advocacy coalition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Kathleen |date=August 17, 2020 |title=How Daughters of High-Profile Republicans Became Progressive Icons |url=https://www.instyle.com/politics-social-issues/choose-2020/daughters-of-republicans-progressive-icons |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=InStyle |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208023119/https://www.instyle.com/politics-social-issues/choose-2020/daughters-of-republicans-progressive-icons |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Unimpressed with post office banking trial, backers eye new initiative |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2022/03/01/unimpressed-with-usps-banking-trial-backers-eye-new-initiative/ |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=Roll Call |language=en |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228223739/https://rollcall.com/2022/03/01/unimpressed-with-usps-banking-trial-backers-eye-new-initiative/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following her divorce from McConnell, Redmon became a feminist scholar at [[Smith College]] and director of the [[Sophia Smith Collection]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Horowitz|first=Jason|title=Girding for a Fight, McConnell Enlists His Wife|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/us/politics/girding-for-a-fight-mcconnell-enlists-his-wife.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 9, 2017|date=May 13, 2014|archive-date=February 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225235117/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/us/politics/girding-for-a-fight-mcconnell-enlists-his-wife.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sherrill Redmon Retires |url=https://www.smith.edu/library/libs/ssc/news/redmon.html|publisher=Smith College|access-date=February 9, 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075630/https://www.smith.edu/library/libs/ssc/news/redmon.html|archive-date=February 11, 2017}}</ref>

McConnell's second wife, whom he married in 1993, is [[Elaine Chao]], [[United States Secretary of Labor|Secretary of Labor]] under [[Presidency of George W. Bush|President George W. Bush]] and Secretary of Transportation under [[Presidency of Donald Trump|President Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/31/politics/elaine-chao-transportation-confirmation/|date=January 31, 2017|title=Chao confirmed as transportation secretary|work=[[CNN]]|first=Ted|last=Barrett|access-date=August 2, 2018|archive-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314201510/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/31/politics/elaine-chao-transportation-confirmation/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2019, McConnell's brother-in-law [[Gordon Hartogensis]], who is married to Chao's sister Grace, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a part of the Labor Department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mangan |first1=Dan |last2=Breuniger |first2=Kevin |date=May 15, 2018 |title=Trump nominates brother-in-law of Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell and Transportation Secretary Chao to run pension agency |website=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/15/trump-nominates-mitch-mcconnell-in-law-gordon-hartogensis-for-job.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921023942/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/15/trump-nominates-mitch-mcconnell-in-law-gordon-hartogensis-for-job.html |archive-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kullgren |first=Ian |date=December 17, 2018 |title=Want to run an agency? It helps to know Mitch McConnell |website=[[Politico]]|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/17/mitch-mcconnell-know-run-agency-1033119 |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527060748/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/17/mitch-mcconnell-know-run-agency-1033119 |archive-date=May 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Senate Confirms Gordon Hartogensis as Director of PBGC |website=Chief Investment Officer |url=https://www.ai-cio.com/news/senate-confirms-gordon-hartogensis-director-pbgc/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707131519/https://www.ai-cio.com/news/senate-confirms-gordon-hartogensis-director-pbgc/ |archive-date=July 7, 2019}}</ref> McConnell voted to confirm.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 30, 2019 |title=Roll Call Vote 116th Congress – 1st Session |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00083 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710041403/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00083 |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>

=== Health ===
In February 2003, McConnell underwent a triple heart bypass surgery in relation to blocked arteries, at the [[National Naval Medical Center]] in [[Bethesda, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite news |date=February 3, 2003 |title=McConnell undergoes heart surgery |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/02/03/mcconnell.heart/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101001950/https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/02/03/mcconnell.heart/index.html |archive-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>

In August 2019, McConnell suffered a fall at his Louisville home; he fractured his shoulder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2023 |title=US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell treated for concussion |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64898451 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-AU |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309060157/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64898451 |url-status=live }}</ref>  In March 2023, he was hospitalized for five days after a fall; he was treated for a [[concussion]] and a minor rib fracture,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Sylvia |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Sen. Mitch McConnell's health issues spotlight Kentucky's succession process |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/16/1194115265/sen-mitch-mcconnells-health-issues-spotlights-kentuckys-succession-process |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=NPR |archive-date=August 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830233343/https://www.npr.org/2023/08/16/1194115265/sen-mitch-mcconnells-health-issues-spotlights-kentuckys-succession-process |url-status=live }}</ref> and did not return to the Senate for almost six weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keck |first=Matthew |date=July 27, 2023 |title=Mitch McConnell returns to Senate floor day after freezing during news conference |url=https://www.wlky.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-health-condition-update-freeze/44665233 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=WLKY |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831000712/https://www.wlky.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-health-condition-update-freeze/44665233 |url-status=live }}</ref>  In July 2023, he fell while disembarking from a plane at [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Haake |first1=Garrett |last2=Kapur |first2=Sahil |date=July 26, 2023 |title=McConnell fell recently at Washington, D.C.-area airport prior to Wednesday's freeze-up |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-fell-recently-dc-airport-prior-wednesdays-freeze-rcna96568 |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831000228/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-fell-recently-dc-airport-prior-wednesdays-freeze-rcna96568 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 26, 2023, McConnell prompted worldwide media reports when he froze, unspeaking, for around 20 seconds while addressing a press conference.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell freezes mid-sentence and stares vacantly for around 20 seconds during press conference |url=https://news.sky.com/story/senate-republican-leader-mitch-mcconnell-freezes-mid-sentence-and-stares-vacantly-for-around-20-seconds-during-press-conference-12928264 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |date=July 27, 2023 |website=[[Sky News]] |first=Samuel |last=Osborne |language=en-UK |archive-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727111031/https://news.sky.com/story/senate-republican-leader-mitch-mcconnell-freezes-mid-sentence-and-stares-vacantly-for-around-20-seconds-during-press-conference-12928264 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was escorted away by aides, but later returned and said he was "fine".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mitch McConnell says he's 'fine' after freezing during news conference|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/26/politics/mitch-mcconnell-freezes-press-conference/index.html|access-date=July 26, 2023|date=July 26, 2023|website=[[CNN]]|first1=Manu|last1=Raju|first2=Morgan|last2=Rimmer|language=en-AU|archive-date=July 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726185938/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/26/politics/mitch-mcconnell-freezes-press-conference/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days after the incident, his spokespersons said that McConnell would continue in his leadership role; he is the institution's longest-serving party leader.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Sahil|last1=Kapur|first2=Rebecca|last2=Shabad|date=July 29, 2023|title=Mitch McConnell vows to serve his full term as Republican leader|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mitch-mcconnell-vows-serve-full-term-republican-leader-rcna96864|work=NBC News|access-date=August 4, 2023|archive-date=August 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803203835/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mitch-mcconnell-vows-serve-full-term-republican-leader-rcna96864|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 30, 2023, he again froze during a press conference in [[Covington, Kentucky]] and was eventually led away by staff.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sen. Mitch McConnell appears to freeze again at a Kentucky event|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-mitch-mcconnell-appears-freeze-kentucky-event-rcna102583|work=NBC News|first=Frank|last=Thorp V.|date=August 30, 2023|access-date=August 30, 2023|archive-date=August 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830172427/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-mitch-mcconnell-appears-freeze-kentucky-event-rcna102583|url-status=live}}</ref> A day later, McConnell released a letter from the attending physician of Congress that said that he was "medically clear" to continue his schedule as planned;<ref name="2023medical letter">{{cite tweet |user=burgessev |first=Burgess |last=Everett |number=1697315090582671825 |title=Capitol physician provides note on McConnell medically clearing him to continue his duties after yesterdays episode. Physician spoke to McConnell's neurology team and McConnell, per this note| archiveurl  = https://archive.today/20240131162328/https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1697315090582671825
 | archivedate = 2024-01-31 }} </ref> the letter said that the physician had talked to McConnell and "conferred with his neurology team", but did not indicate that he had physically examined McConnell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/politics/mitch-mcconnell-health-latest/index.html|title=Capitol Hill doctor: No evidence McConnell has seizure disorder or experienced stroke when freezing before cameras|work=CNN|first1=Manu|last1=Raju|first2=Kristin|last2=Wilson|first3=Annie|last3=Grayer|date=September 5, 2023|access-date=October 1, 2023|archive-date=September 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930003903/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/politics/mitch-mcconnell-health-latest/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Other ===
In 1997, McConnell founded the [[James Madison Center for Free Speech]], a Washington, D.C.-based [[legal defense]] organization.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dyche |first=John David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7usMAQAAMAAJ |title=Republican Leader: A Political Biography of Senator Mitch McConnell |publisher=[[Intercollegiate Studies Institute]] |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-935191-59-9 |page=124 |access-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805232152/https://books.google.com/books?id=7usMAQAAMAAJ |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Southworth |first=Ann |url=https://archive.org/details/lawyersofrightpr0000sout |title=Lawyers of the right: professionalizing the conservative coalition |publisher=[[Chicago]]: [[University of Chicago Press]] |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-226-76836-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/lawyersofrightpr0000sout/page/30 30] |url-access=registration}}</ref> McConnell was inducted as a member of the [[Sons of the American Revolution]] on March 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Long Rifleman Louisville-Thruston Chapter |url=http://www.louthrustonsar.org/March%202013%20Newsletter.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214246/http://www.louthrustonsar.org/March%202013%20Newsletter.pdf |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |volume=4 |issue=2}}</ref> McConnell is on the Board of Selectors of [[Jefferson Awards for Public Service]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Board of Selectors |url=https://www.multiplyinggood.org/who-we-are/team/board-of-selectors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124055949/http://www.jeffersonawards.org/board |archive-date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2013 |publisher=JeffersonAwards.org}}</ref>

In 2018, the [[OpenSecrets]] website ranked McConnell one of the wealthiest members of the U.S. Senate, with a net worth of more than $25 million.<ref name="net-worth">{{cite web |title=Mitch McConnell - Net Worth - Personal Finances |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/net-worth?cid=N00003389 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=OpenSecrets.org |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416164926/https://www.opensecrets.org/personal-finances/net-worth?cid=N00003389 |url-status=live }}</ref> His personal wealth was increased after receiving a 2008 personal gift to him and his wife, given by his father-in-law [[James S. C. Chao]] after the death of McConnell's mother-in-law, whose value has been estimated to be $5–25&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bresnahan |first1=John |date=June 12, 2009 |title=Members' fortunes see steep declines |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/members-fortunes-see-steep-declines-023693 |url-status=live |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926133404/http://www.politico.com/story/2009/06/members-fortunes-see-steep-declines-023693 |archive-date=September 26, 2015}}</ref>