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‘She’s a very very strong woman:’ Gov. DeSantis addresses wife’s breast cancer diagnosis

On Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed his wife’s breast cancer diagnosis for the first time since the news was publicly announced last week.

During a news conference in St. Pete Beach, DeSantis called his wife a “very very strong woman”.

“She fights. She’s tough. It just goes to show the type of person she is. She’s basically resigned that better she has to go through it than others who may not be able to handle it as well. And that’s just why I love her, she’s an exceptional person, DeSantis said.

The Gov. announced his wife’s diagnosis on Oct. 4.

“I do think the lesson is —I mean it wasn’t like she was in a lot of pain — these screenings and the things that you do can really really be lifesaving, so I would just encourage folks-- make sure you go in and do that when physicians tell you to. She just had a feeling so thank God that she did.”

The couple met while Ron DeSantis, then a Navy officer, on the golf course at Naval Station Mayport. They were married in 2010 and have three children -- daughters, 4-year-old Madison and 18-month-old Mamie, and a son, 3-year-old Mason.

“I know this is a bad break but she’s got an awful lot to live for,” DeSantis said.

Since her husband became governor, Casey DeSantis, 41, has led initiatives issues such as mental health and substance abuse services and chairs the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, according to the Associated Press. She leads several initiatives, including Hope Florida, Resiliency Florida, the Hope Ambassadors program and Character Education Standards. Following her diagnosis, the First Lady resigned as chair of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet.

Samantha Mathers

Samantha Mathers, Action News Jax

Samantha Mathers is a digital reporter and content creator for Action News Jax.