Who is Franni Bryson? Franni Bryson Franken is the longtime wife of former comedian turned politician Al Franken. Mrs. Franken and her husband have been together for over four decades.
The former US senator and comedian was accused of sexual misconduct. It’s alleged that he kissed and groped Los Angeles-based journalist Leeann Tweeden after more allegations from several women were made, resigned from his seat as the Junior Senator from Minnesota.
Prior to running for the Senate, Al spent 37 years as a comedy writer, author, and radio talk show host. The former SNL performer was first elected to the Senate in 2008 and re-elected in 2014. He sat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee; the Judiciary Committee; the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Get to know his wife of 40 plus years below in her top facts:
#1. Franni Bryson Family
Franni Bryson was born on October 8, 1951. The Portland, Maine native is the daughter of a World War II vet. Her mother was left a widow with five kids after her father’s death in a car crash. Franni Bryson’s Parents had four more children, one son, and three daughters.
#2 How did Franni Bryson meet Al Franken
She was a student attending Simmons College in 1969 when she met her future husband, Al Franken at a college mixer. At the time, Al was a first-year Harvard student.
In a Facebook update celebrating their 42nd anniversary, AIFranken revealed how they met and what first struck him about his future wife. Franni had taken the role of organizing how a group of girls would leave. AI noticed that she was taking charge. Her looks also impressed him, so he requested a dance. After dancing, he ordered a ginger ale for 5 cents and asked for another date.
In an interview for the Sun Journal, Franni had something to say about their first encounter. Al Franken stood out because he did not have a pin-striped suit. He also had a nice smile and laugh.
#3 Franni Bryson Has Been Married to Al for 46-Years
The couple tied the knot in 1975, and Franni Bryson and Al welcomed two children, daughter Thomasin and son Joseph. Franni Bryson’s Wedding photos have never emerged into the public domain.
Franni’s daughter, Thomasin, attended Harvard and also graduated from the French Culinary Institute. She serves as the director at DC Prep. Franni’s and Al’s son, Joseph, works in finance.
#4 Franni Bryson Politics & Role as Political Spouse
Franni has been very present in Al’s political run. During his campaign, Franni traveled alongside her husband. When he was elected, she got involved in many issues, including reproductive health, measures to combat domestic violence, and access to affordable education.
#5 Franni Bryson Struggled With Alcohol Dependency
Bryson opened up about her battle in an ad for her husband’s senate campaign in 2008. She said it was early in their marriage and said that Al stood right by her side, adding he would do the same for Minnesotans.
She questioned how a mother with two bright and happy children could possibly struggle with alcohol dependency to show that it could happen to anyone. After what they went through, Al Franken went on to write two movies that are used in rehabs across the country.
#6 She is also a Grandmother
Franni Bryson is the proud grandmother of four grandkids. According to one of her husband’s websites, the couple’s first grandchild, Joe, was born to Thomasin and her husband Brody in May 2013. The couple now has another son, Avery. Jacob, their second grandson, was born to Joe and his wife Stephanie in January 2016. In April 2019, Joe welcomed a daughter, Claire Frances Franken, named after her two grandmothers.
Franni Bryson’s children and grandkids make regular appearances on Al Franken’s social media pages. They are proud grandparents and one big Al Franken family clan.
#7 Amy Klobuchar on Being Hilarious Mistaken for Franni
Speaking at the Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington DC, Senator Amy Klobuchar joked about being mistaken for AIFranken’s wife. The two Minnesota senators were on a Delta flight heading back home from Washington DC.
Klobuchar expressed that AIFranken was more popular because of his past career as a comic and often received more attention from fans whenever they traveled.
So, it was not a surprise when the flight attendant announced that they had celebrities on board but mistakenly called them “Mr. and Mrs. Al Franken.” Well, the flight crew was from Atlanta, and the Minnesotans on board erupted with laughter. Franken revealed to the flight attendant that Klobuchar was the senior senator from Minnesota.
The flight attendant took to the microphone again and announced, “ How cool is this, husband and wife senators.” Writing for Yahoo entertainment news, Claire Zillman said, “ Not even senators can escape sexist assumptions.”
#8: Interviews with Franni Bryson
As the wife of a famous comedian who literally lived his life on television, Franni developed a public persona and is never afraid to talk about issues she cares about. She even starred as herself in a 2006 documentary film, Al Franken: God Spoke.
In the end, Franken decides to leave his life as a political commentator and comedian to run for the United States senate. She went live at the State Fair with Eric Pusey. She’s also given several radio interviews.
#8 Franni Bryson Career & Education
Franni Bryson first attended Deering High School before graduating in 1969. She left Portland, Maine, to study at Simmons College in Boston. It’s less than a 10-minutes drive to Harvard. Little is known about Franni Bryson’s career. However, she has been a key figure in his projects. Franni has championed various causes and contributes to local community efforts. She actively supports the Sheila Wellstone Institute that focuses on domestic violence issues.
Franni Bryson Wiki
- Date of birth: October 8, 1951.
- Age: 70 years old as of 2021
- Full names: Franni Bryson Franken
- Spouse: Al Franken:
- Education: Deering High School and Simmons College
- Profession: N.A
- Children: Thomasin (Daughter), Joe (Son)
- Parents: Frances Bryson (Mother), Bryson (Father)
Here are some commonly asked questions about Franni and Franken:
What is Al Franken’s Net Worth?
Franni’s husband had an estimated net worth of about $8.7 million as of 2010, according to OpenSecrets.org.
What does Franni Bryson do?
According to the Sun Journal, Franni currently runs various small businesses centered around her husband’s projects.
What religion is Franni Bryson?
It’s well known that AI is Jewish, having descended from Jewish parents. Franni has also taken the Jewish identity though it’s not clear if her parents were Jewish.
How old is Franni Bryson?
She is 60 years old as of October 8, 2021.
Where is Al Franken now?
Franken resigned after the sexual abuse allegations, a decision that he continues to regret. AI Franken’s Resignation was on January 2nd, 2018. Here are more resources that you can use to catch up with the former Minnesota Senator:
- AI Franken Podcast on Apple Podcasts:
- AI Franken Draws a Map of the USA from memory:
- AI Franken Comedy Video – A comedy skit on SNL
AI Franken’s Books
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