Jeri Thompson Speaks to ‘Trophy Wife’ Label
EmailABC News’ Christine Byun Reports: Jeri Thompson, wife of Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson, finally speaks out about her "trophy wife" label.
In her first national print interview of the 2008 election cycle hitting newstands this Friday, Mrs. Thompson tells People Magazine that while she can shrug off the "trophy wife" perception, it’s been "hard not to be defensive."
"To think back on how hard you’ve worked, and all anybody thinks about is that you’re a trophy wife," she says.
Thompson celebrated her 41st birthday this week on the campaign trail in Des Moines, Iowa. She is 24 years younger than her candidate husband.
The spread shows the former Senator’s wife at home in McLean, Virginia, where the couple and their two young children live. In the article, Jeri Thompson talks about her husband’s decision to enter the presidential race and about how she and Thompson, who had been previously married, met in at a Nashville supermarket on the Fourth of July.
Mrs. Thompson says she felt "depressed" upon learning her husband’s White House ambitions because she "didnt want to throw [her] husband to the snakes."
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is it because the democrats never had a good looking 1st lady that they are picking on Mrs. Thompson?
Posted by: darknessesedge | October 3, 2007, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
C’mon, she’s 34 years younger..he’s a high profile politician..the nicest way to spin it is, lets just call it a symbiotic relationship.
Posted by: darknessesedge | Oct 3, 2007 8:15:08 PM
Yeah, that must be it. Perfect example of simplistic neocon logic. No wonder this country is in the mess its in.
Posted by: bleeblarblar | October 3, 2007, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm
How about a little editing/fact-checking…Fred is 65 yrs old, which makes him 24 years older than his wife.
Posted by: Jay | October 4, 2007, 3:01 am 3:01 am
Good catch Jay……….. the trophy wife actually is only 24 years younger.
Posted by: DK | October 4, 2007, 3:12 am 3:12 am
Yeah, she looked at him and said ….”I just have to HAVE this guy!” Yeah, right …. oh, please!
Posted by: gloog | October 4, 2007, 4:42 am 4:42 am
Re: is it because the democrats never had a good looking 1st lady that they are picking on Mrs. Thompson?
Posted by: darknessesedge | Oct 3, 2007 8:15:08 PM
Stating the obvious, of course:
One of the most beautiful women in the world, nevermind the White House — First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, a Democrat.
Having said that, I think the media deciding any wife is a “trophy wife” is out of line. The voters very well may have an opinion on this, but it’s the media’s job to help us with POLICY, not personality.
I’d much rather have the media give me a summary of Fred’s plans regarding our national healthcare crisis, rather than speculating about the importance of the age difference between a candidate and his spouse.
Posted by: Jan | October 4, 2007, 7:59 am 7:59 am
As Jan stated, Jackie Kennedy…she was no dog, nor is Laura Bush. So what is wrong with the 24 year age difference, neither of them are kids. Not all women are like Anna Nicole, for one, who only fall for older men because of the money. Besides, most females would find Fred an attractive man, even for his age. Or is there a bit of jealousy around here regarding good looking wives?
Posted by: CJ | October 4, 2007, 8:33 am 8:33 am
Why would any woman invite a guy she just met in a grocery line to a party that evening? Is she not aware of safety concerns? The article didn’t say if she recognized who he was in that grocery line. Even if she did, women need to be cautious about their safety, even with recognizable men who have social standing. I don’t really get the attraction between Mr. & Mrs. Thompson, but they have two children who may someday read these articles about their parents. So I ask all of you who comment to remember the children.
Posted by: LCSWquilter | October 4, 2007, 8:53 am 8:53 am
Is ANY woman who marries a man who happens to be wealthy, a ‘golddigger’? Are we all supposed to steer clear of men with money? Are those men not allowed to get married anymore? Or do you– a man– want to marry these rich men yourself?
Posted by: KEJ2000 | October 4, 2007, 9:24 am 9:24 am
ok, my two cents on the issue is that, atleast they are married! Not no life partners crap or just a wild fling. I think that the age issue is irrelevant. They are “both” in the prime years and obviously love each other. Anyone who has to stoop this low to bash on a person regardless if the are running for President or even the president of the school PTA club. ’nuff said.
Posted by: cd | October 4, 2007, 9:37 am 9:37 am
Ewwwww. I’m a forty-one year old woman and that’s what I think. Maybe, just maybe they had a real meeting of the minds and found out that they’re soul mates. Fred is not an attractive man, and quite frankly – although I am a resident of Nashville, he has a reputation for being lazy and “all hat and no cattle”. He’s a pretty good actor, which makes him a dangerous politician. Maybe Jeri is that rare human being that looked beyond the physical right away…or maybe she just digs it grandpa style. I don’t care if Fred’s wife is older, younger, or his twin….I’d never vote for him.
Posted by: Jeanette | October 4, 2007, 10:53 am 10:53 am
Fred Thompson an ATTRACTIVE man? I second the ‘EEEEEEUUUUUUWWW’ – and I’m in my 50′s. Really, who cares? But if the Republicans can say ONE WORD about former Democrat’s marriages (hello? Remember the Clintons?) then Thompson’s marriage is fair game. I think it’s creepy to think of a husband was was the same age as my FATHER, but whatever. He seems to have little substance, but maybe we want celebrity presidents? The Republicans don’t seem to have a prayer this time around, I’ve lived under Mitt Romney’s rule and it was horrible. Wouldn’t wish that on the country. And let’s not even talk about Guiliani. Nasty man.
Posted by: kcareymac | October 4, 2007, 11:05 am 11:05 am
There’s nothing inherently “ew” about a man 24 years older. I know a man who’s 25 years older than me (56 to my 31) and I’d marry him in a flash. He’s the wittiest person I know, smart, educated, still has all his hair AND completely flat abs. Maybe this is what Mrs. Thompson saw in her husband – or something similar.
Posted by: KEJ2000 | October 4, 2007, 11:16 am 11:16 am
Money CAN buy anything…
(and KEJ2000… Fred doesn’t have 6 pack abs or all of his hair.)
Posted by: Doug | October 4, 2007, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
darknessesedge: Apparently you are too young to remember Jackie Kennedy – if so, then you are too young to talk with us “grown-ups”.
Posted by: Ron | October 4, 2007, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
I could care less about his 24-year younger wife. I think Fred Thompson should stay on Law and Order…not try to jump to the White House.
I like Thompson’s role on tv, nothing else.
Posted by: Nancy | October 5, 2007, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm