What would you do if you were Elizabeth Edwards?
Irish and Irish American women respond to Edwards' memoir 'Resilience'
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Elizabeth Edwards was battling cancer when her husband, Irish American 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, admitted that he was having an affair.
In her new memoir, “Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities,” which hits bookstores May 12, Elizabeth, 59, speaks in detail about the affair, and her anguish over her husband's infidelity.
Despite her anger and pain, Elizabeth stayed. Though John betrayed her with a “pathetic” woman (videographer Rielle Hunter, who Elizabeth never names in the book), and she felt he shouldn’t run for president in order to protect their family, she stood by her husband’s side throughout his bid for the presidential candidacy.
After the National Enquirer reported that John Edwards was the father of Hunter’s baby (Edwards denied paternity, and Elizabeth’s book does not mention the scandal), John went on to publicly admit his infidelity.
Elizabeth, who has incurable stage IV breast cancer, has not completely come to grips with her husband’s misdeeds, but she remains with him and their four children today, saying she’s comforted when: “I lie in bed, circles under my eyes, my sparse hair sticking in too many directions, and he looks at me as if I am the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. It matters.
We polled a group of Irish and Irish American women to see what they would do in the same situation. Would you be so understanding and forgiving if you were in Elizabeth Edwards’ position? Was Elizabeth wise to stay with John Edwards?
On the Irish American side, answers were mixed. Several of the women view Elizabeth as a brave woman who should be praised for her actions, while others see her as foolish.
Lorraine Fuchs, 26, of New Jersey, who’s engaged to be married, is on Elizabeth’s side, saying: “Elizabeth Edwards is a strong woman for staying with John Edwards after he had an affair. Especially since she is in the public eye and criticized for it. If being with him is what she wants, then good for her for following her heart!”
Jessica Sweeney, a 22-year-old college student in New York City, holds a different opinion. “I think she’s delusional ,” she said. “Ever heard of something called sweet talking? I think she’s foolish for staying and believing that he won’t stray again – because yes, he will.”
