Ron DeSantis Family Tree: The Story Behind Florida's Governor

Ronald Dion DeSantis, born 14 September 1978 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, is the 46th Governor of Florida (from 8 January 2019) — 2024 Republican presidential primary candidate (suspended January 2024); former US Representative.

The Family's Roots: An Italian-American Florida Family

The DeSantis family is Italian-American (Sicilian roots).

His Parents

Father: Ronald Daniel DeSantis Sr. — TV ratings box installer for Nielsen.

Mother: Karen DeSantis (née Rogers) — nurse.

His Sister

Christina DeSantis (1985–2015) — Ron's younger sister; died of a pulmonary embolism at 30.

His Wife: Casey DeSantis

Jill Casey Black DeSantis, born 26 June 1980 — former television journalist (WJXT, Jacksonville); Florida First Lady. Married Ron on 26 September 2009.

Their Children

Madison DeSantis, born 2016 — daughter.

Mason DeSantis, born 2018 — son.

Mamie DeSantis, born 2020 — daughter.

The DeSantis Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Ronald DeSantis Sr. — Nielsen TV ratings installer.

Mother: Karen Rogers DeSantis — nurse.

Sister: Christina DeSantis (1985–2015) — died of pulmonary embolism at 30.

Wife: Casey Black DeSantis (b. 26 June 1980; m. 26 September 2009) — former TV journalist.

Children: Madison (b. 2016); Mason (b. 2018); Mamie (b. 2020).

Ron DeSantis:

  • Born 14 September 1978, Jacksonville
  • Dunedin High School
  • Yale University (BA History 2001, magna cum laude); Harvard Law School (JD 2005)
  • US Navy JAG Corps: 2005–2010 (Iraq tour 2007–08 as legal advisor to SEAL Team One)
  • US Representative (FL-6): 2013–2018
  • Governor of Florida: from 8 January 2019 — re-elected 2022 by 19 points
  • 2024 Republican presidential primary: launched May 2023; suspended 21 January 2024; endorsed Trump
  • Known for: anti-COVID-mandate policy; education legislation; Disney corporate tax dispute
  • Wife Casey DeSantis: diagnosed with breast cancer 2021; declared cancer-free 2022

What the DeSantis Family Story Teaches Us

A Nielsen-ratings father. A nurse mother. A younger sister lost at 30 to a pulmonary embolism. A former-journalist wife who beat cancer. Three children. A career that included a Yale/Harvard pedigree, Iraq service, Congress, and the Florida Governor's mansion.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Ron story carries the same lesson. Some career trajectories follow the path Yale → Harvard → SEAL legal officer → Congress → Governor.

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