Marco Rubio’s Wife Shares Stories About Her Husband
Published at(MIAMI) — Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. — the latest GOP 2016 presidential candidate to enter the race — wants voters to know his personal story as the son of Cuban immigrants who came to America looking for a better life.
His wife, Jeanette Dousdebes, shared a few different stories in an exclusive interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Monday:
1. High School Sweethearts
Marco and Jeanette met in high school, down the road from where they live today in West Miami. The future senator won over his wife with more than his charm and sense of humor.
“Marco was different,” Dousdebes said. “He had a depth about him that for me, that’s I think what struck me about him.”
2. He Proposed at the Empire State Building…
After dating for seven years, Rubio proposed to Jeanette as soon as he finished law school, on a trip to New York City. He popped the question at the top of the Empire State Building — because of her favorite movie.
“At that time I did enjoy [Sleepless in Seattle],” she said. “And so he decided, ‘Let me be creative,’ and so he tried to put something that I liked at the time, and incorporate it in.”
3. …Only to Take Back the Ring
While he scored points for being a romantic, Rubio didn’t let his wife hold on to the ring — he was too afraid it would fall off the building.
“So he put it on and he goes, ‘Okay, let me take it off and we’ll put it, I’ll put it back on downstairs,'” Dousdebes recalled.
4. They Didn’t Think He’d Run for President
Looking back, Rubio’s wife wasn’t certain her husband would ever run for president.
“He talked about it, but it’s one of those things that people talk about, you know, when they’re young,” she said. “We never thought it was going to come true.”
5. He’s a Die-Hard Miami Dolphins Fan
Rubio, who played football briefly in college, is a Miami Dolphins fanatic, according to Dousdebes, who briefly worked as a cheerleader for the team before getting engaged to Rubio. While the Rubios take faith — and Sundays — seriously, Dolphins games are also closely observed.
“You can ask the neighborhood about that,” Dousdebes told Stephanopoulos.
6. Marco Was a Singer
Rubio, who is a noted lover of rap and hip-hop, used to enjoy singing along to his favorite hits.
“He likes to sing. I don’t know about anymore,” Jeanette recalled. “There’s a couple [songs he sings].”
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