Georganne Nixon's Biography

First Lady Georganne Wheeler Nixon grew up in Jefferson City, Mo., and earned degrees in education and law from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has taught in the public school system and has practiced law in Missouri. During her career, she also has served as vice president at Central Trust and Investment Company, director of contracts for William Morrow & Co., Inc., in New York and director of services for the Missouri Bar.

As First Lady, Mrs. Nixon has taken a special interest in promoting causes and initiatives relating to the natural beauty of Missouri. For instance, she has worked closely with horticulture experts at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis and Powell Gardens, near Kansas City, to plan and design an herb garden on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion. She also serves as honorary chair for the Missouri Citizens for the Arts.

In addition, Mrs. Nixon cares deeply about the quality of public education across Missouri. She has visited several public schools to promote the importance of education, especially in the field of reading.

Mrs. Nixon and Governor Jay Nixon, a former four-term attorney general of Missouri, have been married for 22 years. They have two sons, Jeremiah and Will. The family also has a six-year-old Welsh Springer Spaniel, Daniel Boone.

Mrs. Nixons’s biographical information was taken from her website http://firstlady.mo.gov/about/