Elizabeth Edwards was interviewed this morning by Matt Lauer on The Today Show about the shattering of her marriage due to John Edwards’ affair with Rielle Hunter.
It was Edwards’ first TV interview on the subject, and The Today Show billed it as “Elizabeth Edwards Breaks Her Silence.” Edwards was bracingly blunt: “I need to break free of the media imposed image,” she said. “I’m not just a cuckolded wife.” Edwards was on the show to promote the paperback edition of her book Resilience, to which she’s added a new chapter about the marriage break-up.
Edwards said she watched Rielle Hunter’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in April: “I still think this person is so completely unlike me that it’s hard to imagine the same person could marry me and be attracted to that — to that woman, as well.” There seemed to be a lot of emotional weight behind the quick pause just before “that woman,” as though Edwards might have been about to say something stronger, perhaps more derogatory.
“I think I did marry a marvelous man,” said Edwards. “But he changed… and he’s no longer the person who I married.”
Edwards made an interesting comparison between herself and Sandra Bullock:
“I think about Sandra Bullock — who I don’t know at all — what an incredible year she’s had. She won the Academy Award for an incredible performance, and more than that, she took that story and integrated that into her own life in this healthy, happy way. And yet, the stories you hear are not about all those great successes, but about the failure of her marriage. I thought that’s not who she is, and in a sense I know she… wants to reclaim who she is in the same way I want to reclaim who I am. I hope the next time I am on television it’s to talk about some policy I really care about.”
Looking healthy, Edwards, who has been diagnosed with cancer, said she feels “good… I’m on a new chemotherapy regime.” Lauer quoted a passage from her book in which she said she hopes for “another eight years” of life. “I would,” she affirmed to Lauer. “I want to live at a normal cadence with my children.”
Edwards called characterizations of her as a “manipulator” false in recent books such as Game Change, by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, and Andrew Young’s The Politician, and in particular asserted that Young’s book is “full of lies.”
We never know the truth behind what goes on in a marriage, or in the case of John and Elizabeth Edwards’ political lives, how accurate descriptions of various behaviors is. At this point, sympathy for Edwards’ health and the betrayal of her husband probably trumps the image that subsequently surfaced of her being a harsh person with which to work on the campaign trail.
What do you think?
I think she has a book to sell.
exactly.
It is sad what happened to Elizabeth but even more sad when you need to compare yourself to another celebrity. Just shut up. That’s how to reclaim your life. That seems to be the road sandy is taking. BTW, John is a shittheel but Jesse is a Nazi.
With respect to her because she is a survivor, both she and Edwards sat on the affair scandal while they were out campaigning for him to be President; which demonstrates a greater love of ambition than country. If Edwards had been elected President, the affair and the child would have broken bringing shame on our country. Enough already with the Edwards’ and this sordid story.
actually, i doubt it would have brought much shame in terms of our international image. the rest of the world aren’t as puritanical as we are. they wouldn’t have cared, and i don’t know why we profess to feel so much “outrage” over the private lives of people we don’t know. just take a look at our past few presidents, especially bill clinton, a competent politician of dubious morality, and george w. bush, a man faithful to his wife but incompetent at his job. i’d take the former over the latter any day of the week.
@Kat too: I hear you. Point is, it would have been a mess with weeks of headlines and sordid details dragging down the political process, making it impossible for Democrats to do ANYTHING if Edwards had been President embroiled in an infidelity scandal plus child. It would have been a nightmare. And Elizabeth Edwards knew about it and still campaigned for her husband to be President. Bill Clinton, who I think was a great president, had his fracas while in office, which I think is different. Whatever. I’m glad Obama is President!
I’m not nearly as outraged by the behavior as I am the stone-walling when caught with one’s pants down. I would’ve forgiven Pres Clinton had he not continued to deny his behavior and cost the tax payers tens of thousands of $$$ for an investigation to get him to finally admit it. Edwards DENIED he’d had a child with this idiot woman. Who does that when it’s so easily confirmed? Someone with NO character who should never be President, that’s who.
Men are horny
It is sad what happened to Elizabeth but even more sad when you need to compare yourself to another celebrity. Just shut up. That’s how to reclaim your life. That seems to be the road sandy is taking. BTW, John is a shittheel but Jesse is a Nazi.
I think she has a lot of nerve to compare herself to Sandra Bullock. Sandra is universally loved and respected in Hollywood and her resident states (Texas, now Louisiana). I’ve never heard a negative word said about her. One journalist said she is the only person she’d ever researched that gave her a 100% response rate; everyone wanted her to know how much Sandra is beloved.
On the other hand, there are plenty of negative stories about Elizabeth. Don’t know how much truth there is to it, but I think it likely that all three people in this sordid triangle have behaved badly. So I think it is pretty slimy to compare herself to Sandy, in the hopes that her glowing image will rub off a little on herself. Very tacky.
Me too, this woman likes publicity too much.
If she is really dying as she claimed, she should spend the time she has left with her kids. Relax and see the world rather than keep bringing back old topics and getting on the media hound tract.
If I had only a limited amount of time to live I would want to spend it with my family rather than journalists and paparazzi.
She has stage 4 cancer, not sure what your comment …’as she claimed’ means. She’s leaving her family a legacy, rather than curling up in a corner to die. More power to her.
Unfortunately, No one would care about Elizabeth Edwards if her husband hadn’t cheated on her. In that way, she is no Sandra Bullock!
Not true. Her 2007 book about the death of her son still has a decent ranking on Amazon, so clearly there are people who care about what Elizabeth Edwards has to say. And there are many people who have lived with terminal cancer and many more who have had cheating spouses, so her audience multiplies.
The discussion at the end of the interview should have not ended with a comment to undermine the entire positive and strong message Elizabeth was giving. I don’t know which woman it was, but I was highly offended by the comment that Elizabeth’s behaviors during the campaign in some way “drove” John Edwards to break his marrietal vows. This is a ridiculous and ignorant statement. Nothing but his own selfishness “drove” him to act as he did, otherwise he would have chosen a different action. People who blame the victim for the wrongs committed on them are arrogant and short-sighted.
It was the substitute guy…
Excellent points Terry…I agree 100%. This is a strong, classy, intelligent woman who has handled a truly horrible situation with grace and dignity. I don’t know that all of us could have done the same if we were in her shoes.
Write on. And Ken is an anal cancer.
I’m totally confused by Terry’s post. Has she ever been a part of a relationship that has dissolved because of the actions of the other partner? Affairs are never the reason for marital problems, just the by-product. Here is a man who was willing to throw everything away (his reputation, his chance at the White House) for an odd, fair-looking mid-30′s lady he found on the road.
Do you think a healthy, loving marriage existed prior to the Rielle Hunter episode? You don’t believe Elizabeth’s actions could have played any part in John’s unhappiness? From multiple accounts by sources who have nothing to gain in painting her in such a manner, Ms. Edwards is self-centered, loves to belittle people (her husband included), demanding, and bossy. Instead of that attitude he was getting at home, John found in Rielle a woman who built him up, fed his ego, and (in her own way) loved him absolutely (if in a very strange way). To paint Elizabeth Edwards as a helpless victim in this drama is as you put it ‘ridiculous and ignorant.’ It simply appears that the two ‘grew apart’ – let’s leave it at that and move on.
I know it’s hard to accept, but some men are just dogs. I think John Edwards could have had the healthiest marriage on the planet and still would have let his crotch lead him wherever it wanted to go.
You are a moron. Affairs are not always a by-product. Some people are just selfish animals. Clearly John liked Elizabetht the way she was or he wouldn’t have stayed so long. You surely are a hideous beast.
wow, you really are a piece of sh*t aren’t you?? Poor poor Jon, that shrew of a woman DROVE him to cheat on her while she was going through all those cancer treatments! It’s all her fault! Creep.
You are quite the piece of work. John wasn’t willing to throw anything away. He is so self centered he thought he could get away with it. I guess having a baby with another woman is code for “growing apart”. You should grow a brain and some compassion. You can grow apart and not cheat. The only blame goes to John who could have left but instead cheated and then got many other involved in his lies. Are you Rielle?
No marriage is perfect, but the end of a marriage can be blamed on the one who leaves. And he chose to leave his marriage when he chose to engage in a sexual relationship with someone other than his wife. Those are choices. There’s always an alternative choice.
He lacked the courage to break things off before going down this deceptive path. He also placed his own sexual needs above a partner who is fighting cancer. Sorry JF11, no sympathy here.
Having been on the receiving end of a man’s unfaithfulness, I have to say that yes,there are often underlying problems in a marriage that lead to infidelity, but many of those problems lie with the person being unfaithful. No one “drove” John Edwards to be unfaithful, let’s not give him an excuse, because there isn’t one. If he was unhappy in his marriage, and it was somehow Elizabeth’s fault, why did he remain in the marriage? I don’t understand why he chose to remain and be unfaithful instead. That was his choice, and it was his responsibility…he’s not a little boy who has no say in his life.
My situation was improved when my husband faced the real problem: he was afraid of the future, and that fear led him to do things that salved it for the short term. Once he assumed the adult responbibility for his marriage, his behavior improved and so did our marriage. At no point did he point at me and say “It’s all your fault” and I respect that. Whatever problems exist in a marriage, it’s imperative that both parties take responsibility for what happens or doesn’t happen…but to blame Elizabeth for not being the perfect wife at a time when she was literally fighting for her life? That’s about as immature a response as I can even imagine.
Wow, you are taking a beating for pointing out a truth that people apparently really, really don’t like to hear. People seem to confuse taking responsibility for whatever part you played in a situation and blaming the victim. Doing one does not mean you are doing the other. Two people are responsible for creating whatever relationship they have–both partners play their part. I’m sorry angry mob, but cheating really doesn’t happen in healthy marriages; it is a way for a person to deal with a marriage they are not happy in. Whether John was not happy because of his own selfishness, or because Elizabeth has some flaws is up for debate–it’s most likely some combination of the two. I am not blaming Elizabeth for the cheating; John is responsible for the cowardly way he handled the problems within himself and his marriage. But your point is valid; that Elizabeth likely played some part that she could take responsibility for. She’s not a complete victim in this, and she seems to not want to be viewed that way. So allow her to take responsibility for what she is responsible for–for allowing so much distance in her marriage that cheating could happen.
As I I re-read my comment, I realized I forgot that Elizabeth had cancer. That definitely lessens her responsibility and pushes the selfishness component of John’s behavior way up. I think now Lightsinger has a point–perhaps John was really scared of his wife dying and dealt with it by finding another woman. It may have had less to do with Elizabeth’s part in the relationship than the fact that she was dying and John couldn’t deal. But short of cancer, I do stand by my previous statement. And Elizabeth did choose this man; there’s responsibility in that. I highly doubt that he didn’t have this same abysmal character when she married him.
@TC What you suggest may be true of most ordinary men, but these power hungry, self-centered, arrogant politicians and celebrities (Tiger, Jessie James) are a whole different beast. They do it because they think they deserve it and can get away with it. Period! What did Tiger’s wife or Sandra Bullock do to “drive” their husbands to infidelity? The utter lack of respect these men show the wives they claim to love is appalling. That’s not love. So I guess you can blame them for marrying a man who doesn’t really love them, but is that really their fault?
Poor John, he was so driven away by Elizabeth the shrew that he forgot his marriage vows the second a slutty blonde told himn he was hot. He also forgot to leave his wife and/or tell her the truth, he just had a sleezy affair, followed up by a series of partial truths and a huge, possibly illegal cover up. And, as the cherry on the sundae, he also forgot to wear a condom!
This whole situation makes me sad. Elizabeth is battling cancer. I feel so bad for her children who need her in their lives. In the end, these children will still have their father but will always have to live with this “homewrecker” in their lives. Blaming her behavior to this marriage failing is ignorant. That is a personal thing between her and her husband to figure out. Certainly, opportunist Rielle Hunter did not help by entering the marriage. I admire her courage to get through this while she fights other health battles. My best to her and her kids.
Well usually I think that a man strays because there are already existing problems in the marriage. Not to say that’s her fault. They probably had a lot of problems that both of them needed to work on. However, only it is horribly callous to stray while your wife is dying of a terminal disease. And I would like to add that there are some men that are womanizers, and they’re incapable of commitment no matter how wonderful the woman is…(speaking of Jesse James). I’m not sure if that describes John Edwards. I don’t really care anyway. I can see why some people want to know what happened between Sandy and Jesse because each of them are famous in their own right. I personally don’t care about either of these two. (Guess I just wandered in here by accident) Thought it would be nice to have a woman give a different perspective on the husband having an affair. Since none of us were there, we won’t ever know whose fault this marriage imploded. I think in most cases the blame fall equally and it very might be true in this case. As Dee says though, the true victims here are the children. Maybe Elizabeth is trying to earn them some money from her book, but I suspect they would rather have privacy and be left alone.
That’s a strong lady there… Good luck to her & her children.
If he would’ve won the election, her “behavior” on the campaign trail would be lauded.
Amen.
Exactly. Too often there is a double standard: men are in control and set high expectations and women are shrewish bitches. I’m sure they expected her to be in the background instead of in charge of her future. What a harsh, manipulating woman!
Nice point.
Excellent point.
Pure cr*p.
Maybe Elin Woods should look to Sandra Bullock for some strength and self esteem to leave her cheating husband too.
You are a moron. Elin is handling herself with dignity and trying to figure out what is best for her and her children (who know their daddy). You are a piece of crap. It is also sad when you advise someone to use a stranger, who’s real personal business they know NOTHING about, as a role model.
Maybe it’s none of your business what Elin decides to do.
Exactly. Amy is a stupid celeb worshipping piece of dung.
Good heavens, ladies – take a pill.
I watched it and I was impressed with her candor about what happened. I found her comparison to herslef and SB to be very illuminating. I think she is right that it is all about perceptions. People on the campaign trail might have percevied her to be a pushy beotch, and maybe I would have thought so too if I was a staffer, but after hearing her comments, it makes me really think about how our perceptions cloud what is real. I hate getting all deep about stuff when I comment on these types of posts, but that is my take. Now, back to the snark.
And feel free to yell at me for the spelling and grammar mistakes.
paranoid much Why not compare herself to Ghandi? Comparisons to celebrities you don’t know make you lose your credibility.
And it begins. Ghandi? Really? Why not Jesus Christ then? She was comparing herself to another woman who has done other things with her life besides having a cheating husband and most people only focus on that facet of their life. I think she picked a relevant person to make the comparison to. If she would have said “looked at what happend to Jesus/Ghandi and then what happend to me” I could see your point. I have a feeling that she could have went on TV and said “I was to blame for my husband cheating” and you would still find fault with her. My point was that people already have preconcieved notions about celebrities and often these perceptions won’t change no matter what they say. I don’t know EE and the breakup of her marriage has nothing to do with me, but maybe if god forbid I am in her shoes one day, I have an idea of what poeple in this situtation go thru and can use that information.
Exactly what has Sandra done with her life since. Adoption before.
@@jj11 – she is *living* it. Her life doesn’t begin and end with her now-ex-husband’s infidelity. I agree that I think the comparison was valid for its purpose.
The difference between Sandra Bullock and EE is mind-boggling. We all knew and loved Sandra B for years. Her husbands infideity made us sick for her. But, we would hardly remember Elizabeth’s name if it weren’t for the scandal associated with her husband. Sandra has a persona of her own that existed long before she even married and remains intact today. Whereas Elizabeth was defined by her husband’s notoriety. I don’t mean to be negative about her, she has had some difficult, heartbreaking things to live through – but to compare her to Sandra Bullock is just not valid.
Elizabeth Edwards will die trying to be in some kind of interview. Enough already. If I were married to you, I’d leave too. She needs to stop acting like a saint, and if she really IS dying, which is what she has been saying for years, why doesn’t she spend the few precious days she has left with her CHILDREN, instead of continually throwing herself a pity party?
I thought her Bullock by association comment was calculating. Elizabeth Edwards is a high powered, well-trained attorney. Bringing up Sandra Bullock, a person she admits to not even knowing, is her attempt to leach on Sandra’s likeability for her own gain. She and John were made for each other.
why shouldn’t she admire sandra bullock. i admire sandra bullock and the way she has handled the dissolution of her marriage. i don’t know sandra either. does that mean i shouldn’t admire someone i don’t know?
You really have no idea how she has handled it. Elizabeth was very stoic and quiet in the beginning too. Maybe sandy has male hookers every night.
No that’s not what she’s saying. She is trying to compare herself to Sandra. So to apply it to you: yes you can admire Sandra yourself, but if you were to equate yourself with her because you had been cheated on, AND because you were trying to drum up publicity for your book, you too would deserve to be criticized and made fun of in this blog.
Elizabeth came off as a frumpy fool. No wonder John strayed- kudos to him!
great morals you’ve got there
I’ve felt awful for her ever since Dr. Manhattan accidentally gave her cancer in the 80′s. and now Edwards goin around acting like he’s an African American male….my heart bleeds for her.
Like an African American male…what exactly does THAT mean?
Actually, nevermind. I’m sure the response will be as ignorant as the original comment.
Maybe she means presidential (like Obama?)
Mary, YOU ARE THE BIGGEST IDIOT AND BIGOT TO WALK THE EARTH! What an ignorant comment! What goes around comes around in life! What an A$$ you are!
IN RESPONSE TO:
mary q contrary Wed 06/30/10 11:57 AMI’ve felt awful for her ever since Dr. Manhattan accidentally gave her cancer in the 80′s. and now Edwards goin around acting like he’s an African American male….my heart bleeds for her.
Honey, if you think that, then there are a lot of white men acting like “African American men”
Are you and them jealous!!!
This woman deseves nothing less than sympathy. I don’t know how she gets up every morning. Can you imagine having terminal cancer, small children a rat of a husband and a bunch of other people writing books tryng to make her the villian of the story. I hope that whatever time she has left is happy time and I just pray that she never has to see John Edwards marry Riehle Hunter.
I agree. but really, our sympathy really does nothing.
If she would have handled herself with class, I would feel the same. Instead, she referred to “the child,: as an “it” , and would never mention a name. That is where this classy lady lost me. That is NOT class.
It will be an “it” when rielle finishing raising her.
Look, I am sure the Edwards’ marriage wasn’t perfect, but at some point, if John wasn’t happy, he needed to do the right thing and get a divorce. Having an affair was the cowards way out. Thank goodness his yellow streak was revealed before he achieved higher office. John Edwards = doucheboat.
Which is why he didn’t dissolve the marriage. He knew once he did his political life was over. Selfishness all the way around… oh and ego too, since he thought he’s get away with it.
There are some seriously bitter people on here. Connie, MRSDOLLY and Hombre are all retarded.
I’m still just so disappointed that John Edwards turned out to be such a skeezy a***ole.
Why? He’s a Democrat. What did you expect?
So the republican governor of SC did not cheat on his wife? It has nothing to do with political parties, only individuals who think they can get away with it.
Is that you Conservative Blonde?
That is not nice.
Most Politicians are such. Don’t be disappointed. You have more of an opportunity to stand for what is right than any political figure.