John Oliver, the renowned English TV host, is widely known for his witty humor and in-depth reporting on Last Week Tonight. However, not many people know about his wife, Kate Norley, who has led a fascinating life of her own.
From her early days as a medic in the U.S. Army to her advocacy for veterans’ rights, Kate has been a pillar of strength for John and a true American hero.
Early Life and Education
Kate Norley grew up in Virginia and attended Episcopal High School, a boarding school in Alexandria. Her stepfather, Dennis Mannion, was a sports executive in the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL, and her family was described as The Brady Bunch by Dennis himself.
Tragedy struck when Kate was just 16 years old, and she was hit by a car while cycling, sustaining a severe head injury. However, she made a remarkable recovery and decided to forego college to join the army after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Military Service and Advocacy
Kate joined the Army as a combat medic and mental health specialist, serving in Iraq during the war. She was deployed to Camp Blackjack, where she helped both soldiers and locals.
During her time in Iraq, Kate met Eaman al-Gobory, who was studying at the University of Baghdad. Years later, Kate and Eaman reunited when Eaman received the International Women of Courage Award at the White House for her work helping sick and wounded children.
After returning from Iraq, Kate became an advocate for recognizing and supporting female veterans. She spoke at the American Veterans Center conference, sharing her experiences and highlighting the sacrifices made by women during their service.
Kate also worked with the organization Vets for Freedom, rallying support for American troops and advocating for more military funding.
Meeting John Oliver and Personal Life
Kate met John Oliver at the 2008 Republican National Convention, where she was campaigning with Vets for Freedom and he was working on a story for The Daily Show.
The couple began emailing each other and eventually started dating. John proposed to Kate on a Caribbean vacation in 2010, and they got married in 2011. The couple has two sons, Hudson, born in 2015, and another son, born in 2018.
Supporting Veterans and Family
Kate has been involved with Team Rubicon, a nonprofit that sends veterans and first responders across the world to assist after natural disasters. She has also traveled to the Philippines to provide medical aid and logistical support after Typhoon Haiyan destroyed much of the Leyte islands.
John Oliver has often spoken about his pride in Kate’s service and the sacrifices she made during her time in Iraq. He has also joked about the differences between their jobs, saying that Kate is more “valuable” than he is and is the “leader” in their home.
FAQs
Who is Kate Norley?
Kate Norley is the wife of John Oliver, a former U.S. Army medic, Iraq War veteran, and advocate for veterans’ rights.
What did Kate Norley do in the Army?
Kate served as a combat medic and mental health specialist in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War.
How many children do Kate Norley and John Oliver have?
Kate and John have two sons, Hudson, born in 2015, and another son, born in 2018.