Mitch McConnell announces retirement: Everything you need to know about his wife, children and family |

Mitch McConnell, the Republican senator from Kentucky, on Thursday, said that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending his decades-long career in Congress. On his 83rd birthday on Thursday, he announced his decision to retire. “Seven times my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnel said in a midday floor speech. “Every day, I’ve been humbled by the trust they placed in me to do their business right here, representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last,” he added.
Let’s take a look at Mitch McConnell’s family and children.
Who is Mitch McConnell’s wife Elaine Chao?
Sen. Mitch McConnell is married to Elaine Chao. Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and immigrated to the United States with her family at age eight. She became the first Asian-American woman to serve in a US president’s cabinet, holding the position of Secretary of Labor under George W Bush (2001–2009). She has also served as the Secretary of Transportation under Donald Trump (2017–2021).
Chao met McConnell, via a mutual friend. He was invited to a dinner by his friend, where Chao was also present. Though it wasn’t love at first sight, soon enough they started to take notice of each other. Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao have been known as the power couple of Washington D.C, ever since their wedding in 1993. The wedding took place in a private ceremony in New York City, with then-Secretary of Transportation Dick Cheney serving as McConnell’s best man. “My wife Elaine and I got married on President Reagan’s birthday, February 6th. It’s probably not the most romantic thing to admit, but Reagan meant a great deal to both of us,” McConnell said during one of his speeches earlier.

Mitch McConnell’s children
McConnell has three daughters — Elly, Claire, and Porter McConnell, from his ex-wife, Sherill Redmon. They were married from 1968 to 1980. McConnell’s children have largely stayed out of the public eye.
McConnell and Chao have no children together. Talking to CNN earlier, Chao said, “I try not to have too many regrets. But I will say to young women, you know, when in my generation, we were taught that we can have it all.” She adds, “Well, it doesn’t work like that. So I try to counsel young women that they will have to be, regardless as to whether they want it or not, there are tradeoffs and sacrifices in life.”