Patricia Blagojevich

Patricia Mell "Patti" Blagojevich (born April 9, 1965), née Mell, is the wife of former Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and removed from office. She served as First Lady of Illinois from January 2003 to January 2009. Patricia Blagojevich was also a contestant on the NBC reality show I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here in June 2009. She placed 4th in the competition.

Blagojevich was born Patricia Mell, the daughter of former Chicago alderman, Richard Mell. She earned her bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her sister, Deb Mell served in the Illinois State House of Representatives from 2009 to 2013, and on the Chicago City Council since 2013. She is friends with ex-professional basketball player John Salley.

As First Lady of Illinois, Blagojevich supported the illiteracy eradication initiatives and the Illinois Pediatric Vision Initiative.

In 2009 she was fired from a $100,000 a year fund raising job after controversy regarding alleged taped statements. Blagojevich was also subpoenaed in February 2009 for documents related to her husband's political campaign and her work as a real estate agent.

In 2009, after her husband was removed as Governor of Illinois, Blagojevich appeared as a contestant on NBC reality show, I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here. She placed fourth on the show.