South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford has made official remarks on her husband, Mark Sanford’s, affair. The Jenny Sanford statement has been published and you can read the full text as well as photos below.

jenny sanford

Jenny Sanford

The whole Governor Mark Sanford affair is very disappointing and downright embarrassing to watch. I had read about his wife, South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford in the past. My impression of her has been that she’s a tough, classy lady who has been a real asset to the state of South Carolina. Following the revelations of her husband’s affair, that impression has been strengthened. She has conducted herself with dignity, class and grace, in spite of the circus of publicity surrounding her, her husband and family right now. I find it admirable that she didn’t stand next to her husband during his embarrassing press conference today. I also found it admirable that when the press and his political enemies started reporting that he was ‘missing’, she didn’t try to cover for him or lie for him. Instead, she gave as little information as possible and allowed things to follow their natural course. Again, she maintained her dignity.

Through it all, she has appeared to put the best interests of their four sons, Marshall, Landon, Bolton and Blake, first and foremost.

I could be wrong, of course. I don’t know her personally. These are only impressions from what I’ve seen and read about her. The statement she put out in response to her husband’s press conference in which he admitted to having an affair with an Argentinian woman, Marie, is another example that leaves that impression.

Here is the full text of her remarks on Mark Sanford, his affair, her family. The Jenny Sanford statement is from thestate.com.

I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost 20 years of marriage. As well, for the last 15 years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.

I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as first lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged. Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband, Mark, and their potential damage to our children.

I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband’s infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us. I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.

I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.

Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.

This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family.