Franni Franken, wife of Minnesota Senator Al Franken, was a typical wife before her husband turned his attention toward politics. Her father died when she was very young, and her mother had trouble making ends meet. Somehow, through both government assistance and her mother’s determination, Franni and all of her siblings either went to college or received training in the Coast Guard.
Franni met Al while they were both in college and as she puts it, “it was love at first sight.” Today, even in public they are quite affectionate toward each other. Perhaps that is because they both feel lucky to have each other. They survived some rough times and managed to come out still holding hands. Earlier in their marriage, Franni struggled with alcoholism. She’s not shy talking about it now because Al stood by her and later co-wrote and co-produced When a Man Loves a Woman, a film about a mother who battles alcoholism and the people who enable her. (more…)
