Patti Blagojevich was born as Patricia Mell, the daughter of Chicago alderman Richard Mell. Serving in public office seems to be in her blood, as her sister Deb Mell, was elected to the Illinois State House of Representatives in 2008.
Patti Blagojevich grew up in her hometown and got her education there, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign. She soon became a licensed real estate broker and appraiser by profession. She also owns a real estate company in Chicago.
From January 2003 to January 2009, she was the First Lady of Illinois due to her marriage to former Governor Rod Blagojevich. The couple has two daughters, namely Amy and Annie. While still in position, she supported the illiteracy eradication initiatives and the Illinois Pediatric Vision Initiative. Unfortunately for her, she was fired in 2009 from a fund raising job, which hauled in $100,000 a year. She got involved in this controversy regarding alleged taped statements.
Free from her responsibilities, Patti Blagojevich was taken in by NBC to participate in the reality TV competition I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. She joined nine other contestants in testing their survival skills in the jungles of Costa Rica. Facing challenges controlled by the country, Blagojevich fought for the title of Queen of the Jungle in the hopes of giving money to her chosen charity: Children’s Cancer Center.
Former American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar, former pro basketball player John Salley, model and TV host Janice Dickinson, actors Stephen Baldwin and Lou Diamond Phillips, former pro wrestler and model Torrie Wilson, the comedic duo Frangela, and The Hills stars Heidi and Spencer Pratt also competed on the show. I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here premiered in June 2009 and is hosted by Mylene Klaas and Damien Fahey. She placed fourth in the competition overall.