In a candid interview with Vogue, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, disclosed her recent separation from Suzanne Malveaux, her partner of over a decade. The couple is now focused on co-parenting their nine-year-old daughter, Soleil.
Jean-Pierre, who was featured in Vogue’s September issue, shared insights into her life, including her personal struggles and achievements. The profile touched upon various aspects of her journey, from her bold fashion choices to her personal challenges, such as a suicide attempt and the difficulty of coming out to her parents as gay, which she also addressed in her memoir, ‘Moving Forward.’
Karine Jean-Pierre and Suzanne Malveaux first crossed paths at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, where Malveaux, a CNN correspondent at the time, was covering the event, and Jean-Pierre was working on President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign. They started living together in Washington, D.C., in early 2014.
Soleil, their adopted daughter, became a part of their lives when Malveaux initiated the adoption process before Jean-Pierre’s promotion from deputy press secretary to principal press secretary. Jean-Pierre eventually formalized her adoption of Soleil.
Although parenting was not originally on Jean-Pierre’s agenda, she now views it as a motivating factor in her life and career. She emphasized the importance of her role, stating, “Everything that we do, being led by the president, is going to matter, not just today, but tomorrow and for the rest of our lives.”
Jean-Pierre also addressed her role as White House press secretary, acknowledging the criticism she has faced. Despite this, she remains resolute, stating, “I’m representing the president, so petty is just not on the menu.”
Her daily routine was described, highlighting her early mornings and extensive preparation for press briefings. Jean-Pierre’s meticulous approach to her role was evident as she carefully chose adjectives and verbs during prep sessions. She emphasized that when speaking at the podium, she is not representing herself but rather the President.
In addition to Jean-Pierre’s professional life, the Vogue profile provided insight into her personal journey and the challenges she has faced. The interview not only highlighted her separation from Malveaux but also celebrated her resilience and dedication to her daughter and role in the White House.
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Written by:
Dana Sterling-Editor