For those who know Al Franken, which is almost everyone, his wife Franni Bryson will be no stranger. This activist has remained her husband’s inspiration for many years, supporting him throughout his political journey and being one of the most important forces behind his electoral victories. She has always been resolute behind him through all of his ups and downs, including a sexual assault case that forced him out of office in 2017.
Franni Bryson – Biography
Franni Bryson who is now popular as FranniFranken was born on October 8, 1951 in Portland, Maine where she was also raised. She was raised by her mother in a very poor family alongside her four other siblings. Her father, a World War II veteran, died in a car accident when Franni was just a baby. Prior to the tragedy, he worked in a paper mill and was returning from a shift when he crashed.
When her father died, her mother was only 29 at the time, was left to care for her five children. The family was able to get by thanks to the GI Bill, Social Security survivor benefits, and their willpower.
However, it was not very easy for them because some of them for days went to bed with empty stomachs in a house with a leaking roof. Her mom was lucky enough to get a $300 loan to fix the roof, but after sitting down with her kids, they all decided to keep emptying the bucket after the rain so her mom could use the money to go to school.
In the end, not only did Franni’s mother go to college, but all of the children also went to school, except for his only brother, who chose to join the Coast Guard before later becoming an engineer.
For her part, Franni Bryson went to Deering High, where she recorded numerous awards for education and good citizenship, before continuing her studies at Simmons College, where she graduated in 1973.
6 facts to know about Al Franken’s wife
1. How AL and Franni met
Just six months old, Al Franken and Franni Bryson met when the two were freshmen. Franni at Simmons College and Franken at nearby Harvard University. When they met in a mixing studio, it was love at first sight for both of them.
Since then they have remained close, having both graduated in 1973 and by 1975 they were already married. Since then, she has not only remained his life partner, but also his political adviser
2. She’s the main reason he’s a politician
Franken started out as a comedian who wrote and starred on Saturday Night Live (SNL), but then decided to become a politician. According to him, one of the main reasons he decided to run for office was because of his wife and all the hardships in his family. He believed he could help make life better for others who had gone through similar experiences as his wife.
3. children
The union between Al and Franni is blessed with two children, Thomasin, director of extended learning at a Washington DC-based organization, DC Prep, which deals with the management of charter schools. She is a graduate of Harvard and the French Culinary Institute. Their second child is Joseph Franken, who works in the financial industry.
4. They were very supportive
The life that Al and Bryson share has been very inspiring with the couple always supporting each other. While Al got his wife’s support in all his campaigns, even though she was very instrumental in his wins, she also got his support. Earlier in their marriage, she suffered from alcoholism.
She revealed that for a long time she struggled with alcohol addiction and through it all, her husband did not give up his support for her. In fact, she attributes her support to one of the main reasons their kids turned out to be normal and successful.
5. Net worth
When it comes to her net worth, Franni Bryson always stands by her husband and as such, it is not easy to tell exactly what is hers. However, Al has an estimated net worth of US$8 million.