John Edwards Fast Facts - CNNPolitics

John Edwards Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research

Updated 1856 GMT (0256 HKT) June 14, 2023

U.S. Sen. John Edwards, center, and other senators discuss President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial on February 3, 1999. More than a year later, Vice President Al Gore reportedly put Edwards on his "short list" as a running mate on the 2000 Democratic presidential ticket (before picking Joe Lieberman).
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – U.S. Sen. John Edwards, center, and other senators discuss President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial on February 3, 1999. More than a year later, Vice President Al Gore reportedly put Edwards on his "short list" as a running mate on the 2000 Democratic presidential ticket (before picking Joe Lieberman).
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Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Edwards at a news briefing in Kennedy's office in 2001.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Edwards at a news briefing in Kennedy's office in 2001.
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In 2004, Democratic vice presidential candidate Edwards speaks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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The rise and fall of John Edwards – In 2004, Democratic vice presidential candidate Edwards speaks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, greets his running mate, Edwards, at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, greets his running mate, Edwards, at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.
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Edwards appears on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" in October 2004.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards appears on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" in October 2004.
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A month later, the candidate for vice president speaks at an Election Night campaign rally in Boston.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – A month later, the candidate for vice president speaks at an Election Night campaign rally in Boston.
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Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, meets with children after a town-hall gathering in Iowa in 2007. She passed away in 2010 from breast cancer after separating from Edwards.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards' wife, Elizabeth, meets with children after a town-hall gathering in Iowa in 2007. She passed away in 2010 from breast cancer after separating from Edwards.
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In September 2007, Edwards attends a Democratic presidential debate in Hanover, New Hampshire.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – In September 2007, Edwards attends a Democratic presidential debate in Hanover, New Hampshire.
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During his "poverty tour," Democratic presidential candidate Edwards toured eight states. Here he speaks in Pittsburgh in July 2007.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – During his "poverty tour," Democratic presidential candidate Edwards toured eight states. Here he speaks in Pittsburgh in July 2007.
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Edwards campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in Waterloo, Iowa, in December 2007.
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The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in Waterloo, Iowa, in December 2007.
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Speaking to Iowans during a New Year's Day 2008 campaign event, Edwards tries to earn votes for the upcoming Iowa caucuses.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Speaking to Iowans during a New Year's Day 2008 campaign event, Edwards tries to earn votes for the upcoming Iowa caucuses.
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Edwards greets supporters in New Hampshire in January 2008.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards greets supporters in New Hampshire in January 2008.
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Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, Edwards and Barack Obama point to supporters and family members in the audience after a debate in New Hampshire in January 2008.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton, Edwards and Barack Obama point to supporters and family members in the audience after a debate in New Hampshire in January 2008.
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Days before South Carolina's 2008 Democratic primary, Edwards speaks to the press in Bennettsville.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Days before South Carolina's 2008 Democratic primary, Edwards speaks to the press in Bennettsville.
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Edwards, who bowed out of the presidential race, speaks to the media with his family -- Cate, left, Emma Claire, Jack and his wife, Elizabeth -- in New Orleans in late January 2008.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards, who bowed out of the presidential race, speaks to the media with his family -- Cate, left, Emma Claire, Jack and his wife, Elizabeth -- in New Orleans in late January 2008.
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Edwards endorsed Barack Obama after Hillary Clinton won the West Viriginia primary.
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The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards endorsed Barack Obama after Hillary Clinton won the West Viriginia primary.
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Rielle Hunter, Edwards' former mistress, holds their daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, in August 2009. Prosecutors accused Edwards of using nearly $1 million in illegal campaign contributions to keep his pregnant mistress under wraps as he ran for president in 2008. Defense attorneys argued the donations could not be considered campaign contributions. They said Edwards was guilty of being a bad husband but had committed no crime.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Rielle Hunter, Edwards' former mistress, holds their daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, in August 2009. Prosecutors accused Edwards of using nearly $1 million in illegal campaign contributions to keep his pregnant mistress under wraps as he ran for president in 2008. Defense attorneys argued the donations could not be considered campaign contributions. They said Edwards was guilty of being a bad husband but had committed no crime.
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Former Edwards aide Andrew Young and his wife, Cheri, listen during a 2010 hearing in North Carolina. Defense attorneys argued that Young used the money for his own gain and to pay for Hunter's medical expenses to hide the affair from Edwards' wife.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Former Edwards aide Andrew Young and his wife, Cheri, listen during a 2010 hearing in North Carolina. Defense attorneys argued that Young used the money for his own gain and to pay for Hunter's medical expenses to hide the affair from Edwards' wife.
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Edwards and two of his children, Emma Claire and Jack, leave the funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards, who died at 61 after a six-year battle with breast cancer in December 2010.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards and two of his children, Emma Claire and Jack, leave the funeral service for Elizabeth Edwards, who died at 61 after a six-year battle with breast cancer in December 2010.
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Edwards' mug shot was released after the former presidential candidate pleaded not guilty in June 2011 to charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions, falsifying documents and conspiracy.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards' mug shot was released after the former presidential candidate pleaded not guilty in June 2011 to charges of accepting illegal campaign contributions, falsifying documents and conspiracy.
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Edwards enters a Greensboro, North Carolina, courthouse for his federal corruption trial with daughter Cate on May 21, 2012.
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The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards enters a Greensboro, North Carolina, courthouse for his federal corruption trial with daughter Cate on May 21, 2012.
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Edwards addresses the media after his acquittal and mistrial, with his daughter Cate and his parents Wallace and Bobbie Edwards at his side, outside the Greensboro courthouse on Thursday, May 31, 2012. After nine days of deliberation, a jury acquitted Edwards on one count but deadlocked on five other counts in his corruption trial. It's unclear what the Justice Department will do next, but Edwards says his years of service aren't over.
Photos: Photos: The rise and fall of John Edwards
The rise and fall of John Edwards – Edwards addresses the media after his acquittal and mistrial, with his daughter Cate and his parents Wallace and Bobbie Edwards at his side, outside the Greensboro courthouse on Thursday, May 31, 2012. After nine days of deliberation, a jury acquitted Edwards on one count but deadlocked on five other counts in his corruption trial. It's unclear what the Justice Department will do next, but Edwards says his years of service aren't over.
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(CNN)Here is a look at the life of John Edwards, former senator from North Carolina.

Personal

Birth date: June 10, 1953
    Birth place: Seneca, South Carolina
      Birth name: Johnny Reid Edwards
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      Father: Wallace Edwards, textile mill worker
      Mother: Catherine "Bobbie" (Wade) Edwards, postal worker
        Marriage: Elizabeth (Anania) Edwards (July 30, 1977-December 7, 2010, her death)
        Children: with Rielle Hunter: Frances Quinn Hunter; with Elizabeth Edwards: Jack, Emma Claire, Cate and Wade
        Education: North Carolina State University, B.S., 1974 (with honors); University of North Carolina, J.D., 1977 (with honors)
        Religion: Methodist

        Other Facts

        He was the first person in his family to attend college.
        Edwards had no previous political experience before winning the 1998 Senate election.
        Candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008, and Democratic nominee for vice president in 2004.
        As a presidential candidate in the 2008 election, Edwards repeatedly lied about an extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, a documentary filmmaker. He admitted the affair on ABC News on August 8, 2008.

        Timeline

        1981 - Joins the Wade Smith Law Firm in Raleigh, North Carolina.
        1993 - Starts his own law firm with partner David Kirby, concentrating on personal injury law.
        1996 - Edwards' son Wade dies in a car accident.
        1998 - Receives 51.2% of the vote to win a seat in the US Senate.
        January 3, 1999 - Is sworn in as senator.
        June 29, 2001 - Edwards and Senator John McCain act as chief sponsors of the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act.
        January 2, 2003 - Announces the formation of a presidential campaign exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission.
        September 16, 2003 - Formally announces his candidacy for president in the town where he grew up, Robbins, North Carolina.
        October 14, 2003 - Announces that he will not vote for the $87 billion Iraq aid package.
        January 19, 2004 - Takes second place in the Iowa caucuses with 32% of the vote.
        February 3, 2004 - Wins the South Carolina Primary with 45% of the votes, second in Oklahoma and Missouri.
        March 3, 2004 - Announces that he is dropping out of the race.
        July 6, 2004 - John Kerry, Democratic presidential candidate, names Edwards as his vice presidential running mate.
        August 2004 - Edwards' book, "Four Trials," is published.
        November 3, 2004 - Kerry calls President George W. Bush to concede the White House race.
        January 3, 2005 - Leaves the US Senate when his term expires.
        February 2005 - Becomes the director of the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
        December 27, 2006 - Announces at an event in New Orleans that he is running for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.
        March 22, 2007 - Announces that his wife Elizabeth's cancer has returned after three years of remission, but he is continuing with his presidential campaign.
        January 30, 2008 - Edwards announces that he's suspending his race for the Democratic nomination. In May, Edwards endorses Barack Obama as the Democratic candidate for president.
        August 8, 2008 - In an interview with Nightline, Edwards admits to an extramarital affair with Rielle Hunter, a woman hired to make documentary videos for his campaign. He denies he is the father of her daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, born in February.
        February 2009 - The Justice Department opens an investigation into Edwards' 2008 campaign finances.
        May 2009 - Elizabeth Edwards publishes a memoir, "Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities." She addresses the affair saying, "I wanted him to drop out of the race, protect our family from this woman, from his act."
        August 6, 2009 - Hunter testifies in front of a grand jury investigating Edwards' campaign finances.
        January 21, 2010 - Admits he fathered Quinn with Hunter and has been providing financial support for the last year.
        January 27, 2010 - Separates from his wife of more than 32 years.
        January 30, 2010 - "The Politician: An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down," by his former aide, Andrew A. Young, is published. Young claims campaign donation money from socialite Bunny Mellon was used to pay for Hunter's pregnancy expenses.
        December 2010 - A federal investigation into Edwards campaign finances includes grand jury appearances by Mellon's family. Mellon gave various checks totaling $700,000 to Edwards. The question is whether the money was a gift or campaign contributions.
        December 7, 2010 - Elizabeth Edwards dies of cancer.
        February 2011 - Mellon testifies on camera in the Edwards investigation.
        February 8, 2011 - Edwards gives a deposition in the lawsuit of Hunter against Young. Hunter is suing Young to reclaim materials that she says belong to her, including an alleged sex tape that involves Edwards.
        April 29, 2011 - A North Carolina judge rules that Edwards must testify again in the lawsuit of Hunter against Young.
        June 3, 2011 - Edwards is indicted on six counts including conspiracy, issuing false statements, and violating campaign contribution laws. Edwards pleads not guilty. "There's no question I've done wrong ... but I did not break the law."
        July 21, 2011 - The Federal Election Commission rules that Edwards will have to pay back over $2 million in federal matching funds given to his 2008 campaign for president.
        February 2012 - The civil lawsuit between Hunter and Young is settled. The settlement mandates the imminent destruction of sex tapes featuring Edwards and Hunter.
        April 23, 2012 - Edwards' trial begins.
        May 31, 2012 - On their ninth day of deliberations, the jury reaches a not guilty verdict on one count and deadlocks on the other five counts. Judge Catherine Eagles declares a mistrial.
        June 13, 2012 - The Justice Department formally dismisses the remaining charges against Edwards.
        June 26, 2012 - Hunter's book "What Really Happened: John Edwards, Our Daughter, and Me" is published. She also announces that she and Edwards are no longer a couple.
          May 17, 2013 - Edwards reactivates his license to practice law.
          November 18, 2013 - Edwards announces the formation of Edwards Kirby Attorneys at Law. The North Carolina firm reunites Edwards with Kirby, his former law partner.