President Donald Trump Succeeded by Janet Holcomb Nationality American | Preceded by Cheri Daniels | |
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Full Name Karen Sue Batten Children Audrey Pence, Charlotte Pence, Michael Pence Parents Lillian Batten, John Batten Similar Mike Pence, Anne Holton, Tim Kaine, Jill Biden, Elaine Quijano | ||
Karen Sue Pence (née Batten, formerly Whitaker; November 18, 1958) is an American educator, teacher, painter, and current Second Lady of the United States since 2017. She is married to former Governor of Indiana and the 48th and current Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence. She was formerly the First Lady of Indiana from January 14, 2013 to January 9, 2017.
Contents
- Karen pence adapts to being first lady
- Early life and education
- Career
- Second Lady of the United States
- Family and personal life
- References
Karen pence adapts to being first lady
Early life and education
Pence was born as Karen Sue Batten on November 18, 1958, the daughter of Lillian (née Hacker; 1931–2004) and John Batten (d. 1988). She grew up in the Broad Ripple Village neighborhood of Indianapolis, where she graduated from Bishop Chatard High School. She attended nearby Butler University where she studied to become a teacher, and minored in art. She received both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in elementary education from Butler University.
Career
Pence has taught at John Strange Elementary, Acton Elementary, Fall Creek Elementary, and the Orchard School, all in Indianapolis. She and her husband met while she was playing guitar at Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
After the birth of their first child, Pence decided to take a class in watercolor painting. This led to a career painting portraits of houses.
Second Lady of the United States
Pence became the Second Lady of the United States on January 20, 2017, succeeding Jill Biden.
Family and personal life
Karen met Mike Pence at a Catholic church they both attended. They became engaged in August 1984 and married on June 8, 1985. Their Marion County record of marriage shows Karen (Whitaker) as having a previous marriage that ended via divorce; it also identifies Kansas as her place of birth. The couple has three children: Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey. Pence is known for dedication to promoting art as a way of healing.
