About Patti BlagojevichFormer First Lady of Illinois, wife and mother of two.
Patricia "Patti" Blagojevich was the first lady of Illinois from January 2003 to January 2009. She comes from a political legacy as her father is Richard Mell, a well-known and longtime Chicago alderman and her sister Deb Mell is an Illinois State Representative who was elected in 2008.
Patti is a licensed real estate broker and appraiser who owns a real estate company in Chicago. She and her husband, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich have two daughters: Amy is 12 and Annie is 6.
Patti got ready for 'I'm a Celebrity...' by doing yoga and pilates. She also cooked a lot. She whipped up meals and froze them so her husband and kids would eat well while she is in the jungle. Patti is a big city girl. Before this experience, she spent no more than one night camping.
Patti says her marriage has grown stronger since her husband was arrested and subsequently outsted from office. She told the Chicago Sun-Times: "I love my husband. He's a devoted husband, a great father. He's loyal, hardworking." She also believes that her husband will be vindicated and the world will understand what she already knows to be the truth: that he is innocent. Though the trial is months, if not years away, Rod Blagojevich will share his story in an autobiography which is one of the most highly anticipated books of the year. It will be released in September.
Rod Blagojevich was originally offered the opportunity to compete on 'I'm a Celebrity...' but a judge refused to allow him to travel to Costa Rica to participate in the NBC program. The producers then offered Patti the job and she accepted. The former governor will play a 'surprise' role on the program.
Patti talks about going to the jungle and why she went.
