Heidi Cruz talks about the ups and downs of being married to Ted Cruz

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 US Senate race between incumbent Republican Ted Cruz and Democratic Rep. Beto O. Rourke, Cruz's wife, Heidi, gave a rare interview to The Atlantic.

The 46-year-old woman, born in San Luis Obispo, California, spoke about her life with Ted Cruz, with whom she has been married since 2001.

In 2009, the two men met in Austin, Texas, where they both worked on George W. Bush's presidential campaign and began dating. "It was love at first sight," she told the magazine.

At the couple's wedding reception in 2001, he insisted that they play the Disney song "A Whole New World". At the time, she did not understand the strange request. Since then, the song has taken on a new meaning.

"I would say to younger women: Be voluntary in your decisions, and I appreciate the fact that Ted started our life with this song, because there is some truth to it. a wonderful life! We have so much adventure coming! It's like our magic carpet ride. And sometimes I say to myself "I hope we do not touch the cement". "

Indeed, Heidi encountered some obstacles on the road during his life in the eyes of the public.

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In 2005, she left her position on the National Security Council for Condoleezza Rice and left Washington DC for Texas. Ted was already living in Austin, where he was Solicitor General.

Only Heidi moved a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Houston, where she could work in the banking sector. They took turns weekly to see each other. It is during this period that Heidi says that she has reached a low point.

One night, while in Austin, she walked beside a ramp on the MoPac Expressway near her home and buried her head in her hands.

In his report, the officer who arrived at the scene felt that Heidi was a "danger to herself" and therefore drove her to the police station.

"We were at the beginning of our wedding … It's a wonderful thing, for example, you amplify each other, you're a couple now, you two are stronger together, but before that, you take your own. decisions, "she said. "And there is a fit that occurs when you realize that life is now two of you, and that's fine, but there are compromises.

"I think it's very natural to be afraid, to feel that things are on your way, in your wake, it was not your decision.I think my mind has fallen to a low place, "she said.

Ten years later, after Ted became Solicitor General of Texas and US Senator, Heidi found himself in a period of depression just before her husband announced his candidacy for the White House.

Heidi Cruz says that she has put her career aspirations aside once again. She took a leave of absence from her position as Executive Director of Goldman Sachs to campaign for her husband.

"I quickly realized that if I did not do it for my own reasons, I did it to help Ted … and that I could very easily blame everyone," he said. she declared.

She embarked on the path of the campaign in order to have her own purpose and identity.

"I think it's so important to feel empowered through different chapters of one's life … Sometimes it can be done by being deliberate," she said.

In the end, it was Donald Trump who received the Republican presidential nomination. At the end of the 2016 campaign, Heidi returned to work at Goldman and was promoted to a new national role.

The Cruzes have lived two quiet years until the media madness around the race in the Texas Senate goes off. She supports his wife as he stands for reelection while pursuing his busy career.

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"I feel really mission-oriented for what he's doing," she said. But "it takes some support, you know, it's been six to seven years, and I'm the main breadwinner." It's like, "Uh, yeah, that's when people say thank you." I will now take this assessment. " " She laughed. "Yes, it's been seven years and we will not buy a second home anytime soon."

But the Cruzes see Houston in their long-term future. "I think I live in Houston … It's important to our constituents that Ted be in the state," she said.

Click here for the full story of L & # 39; Atlantic.

Marcy de Luna is a digital journalist specializing in social media, the famous and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna. Read his stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | [email protected] | Send CHRONIQUE to 77453 to receive the latest SMS alerts