Marianne Gingrich: Newt wanted "open marriage" with me

Updated 1:36 p.m. Eastern Time

Newt Gingrich's second wife, Marianne, says the GOP presidential candidate asked her for an "open marriage" after he became involved with the woman who became his third and current wife.

Marianne Gingrich told ABC News that Gingrich wanted the then-Callista Bisek, his current wife, as his mistress while keeping Marianne Gingrich as his wife. She said he admitted at the time to a six-year affair with Callista.

Marianne Gingrich, who says she refused the request for an open marriage, said Newt told her that "Callista doesn't care what I do." She said he complained that "you want me all to yourself."

Marianne Gingrich said she eventually learned that Callista was often listening when Newt called her at night from Washington to say goodnight and tell her he loved her. The calls were taking place, she said, while Gingrich was leading the charge to impeach President Bill Clinton for misleading Congress about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

Marianne Gingrich, a conservative Republican, told ABC News she is coming forward now so that voters have a fuller picture of the GOP presidential candidate. Her interview is set to air in full this evening, just two days before the January 21 South Carolina primary that could rejuvenate or sink Gingrich's presidential bid.

Marianne Gingrich also said in the interview that Newt divorced her within months of her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis, after he had heard a doctor advise her to avoid stress. She said that Newt, who divorced his first wife after a cancer diagnosis, became involved with her before his first divorce was final.

In a separate interview with the Washington Post, Marianne Gingrich said that when Gingrich asked for the divorce in 1999, she asked if there was anyone else.

"He was quiet. Within two seconds, when he didn't immediately answer, I knew," she said. Gingrich would go on to give a speech the next day in which he posed rhetorical questions concerning when liberals talk about values.

"How could he ask me for a divorce on Monday and within 48 hours give a speech on family values and talk about how people treat people?" she told the Post. She said Gingrich has not spoken to her since they divorced. 

Gingrich, who told NBC before details of the interview emerged that "Intruding into family things that are more than a decade old is simply wrong," told reported Thursday, "I'm not going to say anything about Marianne."

"My two daughters have already written a letter to ABC complaining about this as tawdry and inappropriate," he said. "Both of my daughters are prepared to speak on the record to any of you who would like to talk to them and several other people who knew the situation are prepared to speak on the record. I'm not getting involved."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who suspended his campaign and endorsed Gingrich Thursday, said at a debate in December that marital fidelity is "important" to the presidential race, saying "he's always kind of been of the opinion that if you cheat on your wife, you'll cheat on your business partner." 

Perry said Thursday that while Gingrich, like everyone, is imperfect, "The fact is, there is forgiveness for those who seek God and I believe in the power of redemption, for it is a central tenet of my own Christian faith."

[greenpete58]

I'm a liberal, so I have no problem with an "open marriage" between consenting adults. What sickens me is Gingrich's lies, hypocrisy, and megalomania (not to mention his right-wing views). The guy thinks he's a historian because he taught a class. He thinks he's a scientist based on his views of when conception begins. He compares himself to DeGaulle, Churchill, lord knows who else. And like all conservatives, he blames a "liberal" media any time he's criticized. The guy's puke.

[credibility2]

Newt's ex is a pathetic bitter woman who uses her inadequacies to try and trash her ex. They've been divorced for at least ten years. She needs intensive therapy to get over it. Again, marital infidelity isn't just limited to Republicans...there's plenty of trash in this area where the Democrats are concerned. Wonder whose campaign paid for her to come out now...the super pacs of the Dems or Repubs....will never know...Gingrich was right to lambast CNN, the debate moderator and in general, the elite media...he was also right about the elite media protecting the president and just trashing Repubs...

[JV1970]

nadelio You are wrong! It IS about his ex-wife! She is a bitter, vindictive woman who needs therapy and needs to move on and get on with her life and learn to forgive.

And about Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton went on national television and lied about his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Newt Gingrich has never lied about his infidelity. He has been man enough to stand up and look the world straight in the eye and admit it.

I do NOT advocate infidelity or any other kind of sin. Infidelity is wrong in any case. But to commit infidelity and then lie about it is worse! I have no respect for Bill Clinton at all!

It was bad enough for him to break his marriage vows. However, he should have been man enough to admit his sin. He only made matters worse when he chose to lie about it.

[zenia5]

I think the fact that Gingrich is a serial adulterer is only one of his many character flaws. Why do any of you think he is trustworthy and moral with his history of ethical violations, a record $300,000 fine, and being forced from his position as Speaker of the House? This is one of the many other issues that voters should be concerned about rather than how many wives he's had or who he cheated on. He's a despicable egomaniac and that's what drives his decisions. Have you really listened to some of the preposterous statements he has made? Bottom line: he will NEVER be nominated because he is totally unelectable.

[tsigili]

perhaps I should say that this person was a total turn off to me, as a bitter ex=spouse who simply wanted to do damage any way she could.

The fact ABC went after this, which is owned by Disney, who is an Obama supporter, and the fact it was timed in the way it was, says totally dirty politics, with a major media outlet deeply involved in those dirty politics.

People in this country overall, have little knowledge of how they are being manipulated by totally biased media corporations, with a very pronounced political agenda.

[JV1970]

I agree! I think she's a bitter, vindictive woman who badly needs psychiatric help. She has held this grudge over ten years. She should have given it up by now and got on with her life. In stead she's just been waiting until the best time for her to come forward and get her revenge. That's hateful and sick.

It's also been obvious for several years just how liberal the media is. They are indeed run by corporations with political agendas.

[abbe91]

I don't care what he did with his wives ... there are just more important issues.

The only thing about it is this:
"The calls were taking place, she said, while Gingrich was leading the charge to impeach President Bill Clinton for misleading Congress about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky."

Don't judge if you don't want to be judged. Forgive if you hope to be forgiven. Gingrich made the rules by which he will be judged.

[zenia5]

What a pathetic, disgusting bag of wind. If Newt hates the questions about his personal life, then he should look at the immoral way he has conducted himself over the years. His professional track record isn't too hot either.... folks haven't forgotten about his dishonest shenanigans when he was Speaker of the House. He should NOT be proud that he was the very first Speaker in history to be fined over $300,000 and forced to resign his position over serious ethics violations. This lying, cheating egomaniac should NEVER be elected to the Presidency.

[Lerianis4]

So what? I personally think that the world would be better off if we got rid of 'marriage' and went to open relationships that you can leave at any time.

Would give a lot more incentive for women AND men to not be so ******.

[BigBlivefromny]

No, they don't even think of their hypocrisy.(these tainted politicians, they just think that with so many Americans cheating on their own husbands and wives, voters just won't give a care about them being scumbags anymore. Well, almost!, but there are a few good people out therethat won't vote for rejects like the Repubs are fielding this year!!!!

[brad100100100]

Yes your Clinton and Edwards were acting so extrememly angelic virginal attributes. You liberal democrats so pathetic. Not only would I have divorced this women I would of gone to the ends of the earth to be as far away from this disgusting hateful ex wife.

[stevehamilton858]

Better still, they should rent some carrion birds.

[JV1970]

Haven't we had enough of distractions and nasty, vindictive women in this campaign season? Isn't it time we concentrated on what the candidates are going to do for this country and to fix our problems?

[kbbpll]

I bet you couldn't get enough from 1992 through 2000.

[taxchurches]

God doesn't exist. There, now you've got your answer.

[JV1970]

by JV1970 January 19, 2012 1:38 PM EST


First of all I think Marianne Gingrich is just being a vindictive and hateful scorned woman by coming forward at this time. Besides, what else did she expect? He left his first wife for her!

Also I agree with Rick Perry. Gingrich said this week (and I'm paraphrasing) that he had matured and gained in wisdom since his younger days. He said he had prayed and asked God for His forgiveness for his sins. If God forgave him who are we not to? Are we higher than God?

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Reply to this comment .by Canuck42 January 19, 2012 2:01 PM EST


How do you know that God forgave him????

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.by JV1970 January 19, 2012 2:18 PM EST


How do YOU know He didn't? I'm going to ask you again! Are we higher than God? Who are we not to forgive him if he's been forgiven by God? Tell me! Also what gives us the right to be his judge and jury? Are we perfect?

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.by erasmus111 January 19, 2012 2:35 PM EST


JV1970 Still an idiot, I see.

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.by retiredgustav January 19, 2012 2:38 PM EST


Maybe their god forgave him but not the ex-wives.

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.by KnowerseekerReturns January 19, 2012 2:51 PM EST


Jehovah doesn't forgive people whose savior is Money instead of Jesus.

[JV1970]

None of you answered my questions. Come on! Answer me if you can! I want an answer!

[MegaProcrastination]

JV1970, the scripture says to forgive someone seventy times seven for their transgressions. It also says that if we don't forgive others for their trespasses we can't be forgiven for our own sins. Now that's just point blank out of the New Testament. I also, however, believe in the saying, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." A person can forgive someone but at the same time not put themselves into a position where the same thing can happen again.

When it comes to Gingrich I don't hold anything against him but I also wouldn't trust him, just the same as I wouldn't trust someone in my personal life who had pulled the same shenanigans Gingrich did.