13 Facts About Christie Vilsack

Ann Christine Bell Vilsack is an American literacy advocate and politician.

Christie Vilsack is married to former Governor of Iowa and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Christie Vilsack.

Christie Vilsack served as the first lady of Iowa from 1999 until 2007.

Christie Vilsack was an unsuccessful 2012 Democratic nominee for Iowa's 4th congressional district.

Christie Vilsack graduated from Kirkland College in Clinton, New York, in 1972 with a Bachelor's in Education and later earned a Master's in journalism from the University of Iowa in 1992.

Christie Vilsack met her future husband, Tom Vilsack, while attending college.

Christie Vilsack worked as a reporter and columnist for the Mount Pleasant News.

Christie Vilsack became First Lady of Iowa when her husband, Tom Vilsack was sworn in as governor in 1999.

In 2007, Christie Vilsack founded The Iowa Initiative, a privately funded foundation which aims to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies among Iowa women ages 18 to 30.

Christie Vilsack served as executive director of the Initiative until February 2011, when she resigned to focus on exploring opportunities for seeking elected office.

Christie Vilsack now serves as chair of the board of directors.

In October 2009, Christie Vilsack told WHO-DT she was considering a possible run against Republican incumbent US senator Chuck Grassley in 2010.

Christie Vilsack considered running against King again in 2014 but took a job with the United States Agency for International Development as the Senior Advisor on International Education instead.