Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that his wife, Casey DeSantis, 41, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, though he did not provide much additional information in the way of details regarding the progression of the disease or her prognosis.
“I am saddened to report that Florida’s esteemed First Lady and my beloved wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer,” the first-term GOP governor said in a statement first shared with Fox News.
“As the mother of three young children, Casey is the centerpiece of our family and has made an impact on the lives of countless Floridians through her initiatives as First Lady,” he continued.
“As she faces the most difficult test of her life, she will not only have my unwavering support but the support of our entire family, as well as the prayers and well wishes from Floridians across our state. Casey is a true fighter, and she will never, never, never give up,” Gov. DeSantis added.
Casey DeSantis is a former Emmy Award-winning television show host for the PGA tour as well as a former producer. In addition, she is a three-time equestrian national champion and a runner-up champ in NCAA Division I competition.
The couple has been married since 2010. They are the parents of three children: Madison (4 years old), Mason (3 years old) and Mamie (18 months old), the latter of whom was the first child born in the governor’s mansion in more than 50 years, Fox News reported.
As the first lady of the Sunshine State, Casey DeSantis launched four major initiatives to include “Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, Economic Self-Sufficiency and Hope.”
“The program benefits single parents, Floridians on government assistance, single mothers with substance abuse issues and children aging out of the foster care system,” the Daily Mail reported.
Kayleigh McEnany, then-President Donald Trump’s last press secretary and a Florida resident who has talked publicly about having a preventative double mastectomy, addressed Casey DeSantis on Twitter.
“My family and I will be praying for @FLCaseyDeSantis & every woman battling breast cancer! Casey is a strong woman and an amazing mother. My heart is with her and her family!” she wrote.
My family and I will be praying for @FLCaseyDeSantis & every woman battling breast cancer! Casey is a strong woman and an amazing mother. My heart is with her and her family! ♥️https://t.co/O4ZKt8aaKl
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 4, 2021
Others also signaled their support on social media, including Georgia’s GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. “@GAFirstLady, the girls, and I are sending prayers for healing and strength to @FLCaseyDeSantis and the entire DeSantis family!” he wrote.
.@GAFirstLady, the girls, and I are sending prayers for healing and strength to @FLCaseyDeSantis and the entire DeSantis family! https://t.co/oaPhQHWFCW
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) October 4, 2021
Gov. Kristi Noem (R) of South Dakota noted: “Bryon and I send our prayers for a speedy recovery to @FLCaseyDeSantis, may the Lord give you strength and bless the physicians providing your care. God Bless you, Ron and the DeSantis Family.”
Bryon and I send our prayers for a speedy recovery to @FLCaseyDeSantis. Casey, may the Lord give you strength and bless the physicians providing your care. God Bless you, Ron and the DeSantis Family.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) October 4, 2021
“I know @FLCaseyDeSantis is a fighter and has the strength to beat breast cancer,” she added in another tweet.
Bryon and I are sending our prayers to Casey and Ron DeSantis. I know @FLCaseyDeSantis is a fighter and has the strength to beat breast cancer.
— Governor Kristi Noem (@GovKristiNoem) October 4, 2021
Ron DeSantis has been mentioned as a potential GOP presidential candidate for 2024, but he has pushed back on that.
“I’m not considering anything beyond doing my job,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity last week. “We’ve got a lot of stuff going on in Florida. I’m going to be running for reelection next year and we’re also working on a lot of things in the state beyond just the governor’s race.”
Jon has over 30 years' worth of reporting experience, as well as an author and U.S. Army veteran. He has a BA in political science from Ashford University and an MA in national security studies/intelligence analysis from American Military University.
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