Senator Marco Rubio and his wife, Jeanette Dousdebes Rubio, celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on October 17 with a day filled with warmth, humor, and reflection on nearly three decades of marriage. The couple, who tied the knot in 1998, took a sweet trip down memory lane as they revisited the story of their unforgettable Valentine’s Day proposal — a tale that could have come straight out of a romantic comedy. Jeanette shared a touching post on Instagram featuring a photo of the two smiling at home. “Happy anniversary to my best friend and my everything! I thank God for you, and I am truly blessed to be your wife. I love you with all my heart,” she wrote, capturing the enduring affection that has defined their marriage.
Their love story began back in their college days in Florida, but it was in New York City on Valentine’s Day 1997 when Rubio decided to make it official. Inspired by Jeanette’s fondness for the movie Sleepless in Seattle, he planned a picture-perfect proposal atop the Empire State Building. The only challenge? Getting her to go along with the plan. “It was freezing that day,” Rubio once recalled in an interview with Parade. “She didn’t want to go to the observation deck, so I had to lure her there. I told her, ‘I love King Kong. I’ve always wanted to climb the Empire State Building!’” Jeanette burst out laughing at the memory, adding, “I was like, ‘Seriously, Marco?’” Despite her reluctance, she agreed — and a few minutes later, they were standing 102 stories above Manhattan. Amid the biting winter wind, Rubio dropped to one knee and proposed. “The moment was perfect,” Jeanette remembered, “until he took the ring back.” Rubio, laughing, explained that he was worried she might drop it over the edge. “I said, ‘Let’s wait until we’re on the ground. Then I’ll give it back to you.’” That playful blend of love and laughter has become the cornerstone of their marriage. Over the years, the couple has built a strong foundation grounded in faith, humor, and mutual respect. Today, they live in West Miami, where they’re raising their four children — Amanda, Daniella, Anthony, and Dominic — in a home full of energy, warmth, and family traditions. Those close to the couple often describe Jeanette as the heart of the household, bringing stability and grace to their busy lives. Though she tends to stay out of the political spotlight, Jeanette has been a constant source of support for her husband through every stage of his political journey, from his time as Speaker of the Florida House to his current role in the U.S. Senate. “She’s my anchor,” Rubio has often said. “No matter where politics takes me, she keeps me grounded.” Their children have grown up watching their parents balance public service with family life, guided by faith and love. Rubio frequently credits simple routines — like family dinners and Sunday church — for keeping them close, even when Washington’s chaos threatens to pull them apart. This year’s anniversary celebration reflected their preference for simplicity and meaning over grand gestures. Their children surprised Jeanette with handwritten letters and a heartfelt video montage filled with family memories, from Rubio’s swearing-in ceremony to sweet clips of their youngest, Valentina, taking her first steps. Now, twenty-seven years after that icy Valentine’s Day in New York, the Rubios still laugh about the proposal that almost ended with a lost engagement ring. Yet for Marco and Jeanette, that moment on top of the Empire State Building was more than a romantic milestone — it marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, laughter, and the promise that no matter how high the climb, they’d face it hand in hand.
