José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich and wife Patti arrive at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for Blagojevich's third day on the stand. He attempted to refute allegations leveled by former chief of staff John Harris that Blagojevich had pressured him to help land a job for his wife, Patti, either in the securities industry or with the state. Read more >>
AP photo by Paul BeatyFormer First Lady of Illinois Patti Blagojevich signs autographs at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago as former Gov. Rod Blagojevich holds daughter Annie after Patti's return from Costa Rica.
Jose M. Osorio, Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich, wife of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, enters the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago for her husband's federal corruption trial.
Zbigniew Bzdak, Chicago TribuneFormer Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse with his wife, Patti. In testimony about Blagojevich's intentions to fill Barack Obama's empty Senate seat, Sam Adam Sr. got Blagojevich's one-time chief of staff John Harris to agree that the governor did say, in effect, "I hate the idea of appointing Lisa Madigan, but if it's best for the people of Illinois, I'll go ahead and hold my nose and do it."
Tribune photo by Nuccio DiNuzzoGovernor-elect Rod Blagojevich kisses his wife Patti during his acceptance speech to his supporters at Finkl & Sons on Chicago's North Side. On the right is their 6-year-old daughter, Amy.
Tribune photo by Scott StrazzantePatti Blagojevich, wife of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, waits for her husband to finish pressing the flesh outside of a Planet Hollywood in Times Square in New York City.
AP photo by M. Spencer GreenDemocratic gubernatorial hopeful, Rep. Rod Blagojevich, answers questions from the media as he watches election returns with his wife, Patricia, and his brother, Rob, at his home in Chicago.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago TribuneAs the wife of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's wife, Patti Blagojevich has been in and out of the spotlight. Here's a look back at the high - and lowlights of her exploits. Here, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago following his guilty verdict on 17 of 20 counts on June 27, 2011.
Tribune photo by Scott StrazzanteAfter arriving in Times Square for an interview with the television show, 'Extra,' former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti survey the scene in Times Square in New York City.
Tribune photo by David KlobucarPatricia Blagojevich introduces her newest daughter to the media at a photo opportunity at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. Anne is their second child and second daughter.
Tribune photo by Chris WalkerPatti Blagojevich, who at the time was first lady of Illinois, leaves the family home to take her children to school.
Cheryl A. Cook, for the Chicago TribuneDeborah Mell, left, with her sister Patti Blagojevich, center observe sentencing hearing for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. Lawyer Aaron Goldstein read a letter read to the court from Blagojevich's wife, Patti. "Your honor, I ask you humbly with the life of my husband and the childhood of my daughters in your hands, be merciful," she wrote to U.S. District Judge James Zagel.
Brian Cassella / Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich crosses her fingers after being asked if she has "hope" while leaving her home on May 31, 2018, on Chicago's Northwest Side.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich, and daughter Amy, arrive at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for the second day of final arguments.
Nancy Stone, Chicago TribuneHolding hands with his wife, Patti, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves the court after the being sentenced to 14 years in prison.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich stalls on his porch as his wife, Patti, tries to drag him inside following his sentencing to 14 years in prison.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after jury instruction. Moments later, Blagojevich, with his wife at his side during the brief news conference, said they both have put their faith in the "judgment, common sense and decency" of the jury that has started its deliberations.
E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, leave their home for sentencing in his corruption trial.
Tribune photo by Michael TerchaPatti Blagojevich leaves the family's Ravenswood Manor home, in Chicago.
Tribune photo by John LeeBlagojevich and his wife during one of the 2003 inaugural balls at the Springfield state fairgrounds.
Tribune photo by John LeeDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich embraces his wife Patricia on stage at the end of the first gubernatorial debate Monday night at the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, Ill.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich stops before heading upstairs to court to address the news media and thank the people who have stood by the family during the past 18 months. "The well wishes, e-mails and rosaries left on our doorstep ? have helped us through a rough time. But today is a good day because today begins the process of clearing my husband's name,? she said. ?I know my husband is an honest man and I know that he is not guilty."
Tribune photo by John LeeDemocratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Blagojevich gives his wife Patricia a kiss for good luck as they get ready to vote at the Horner Park Fieldhouse in Chicago.
AP photo by Paul BeatyFormer First Lady of Illinois Patti Blagojevich hugs her daughter Annie after not seeing her for a month. Patti arrived at O'hare Airport in Chicago from Costa Rica after participating in NBC's "I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here."
Antonio Perez, Chicago TribuneFormer Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, along with wife Patti and his lawyers, exits the elevator at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after Blagojevich was found guilty on one count in his corruption trial.
Tribune photo by Alex GarciaFormer governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti arrive for the second day of jury selection in his trial at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse.
Tribune photo by E. Jason WambsgansGov. Rod Blagojevich is joined by his wife Patti and daughters Annie and Amy during a stop at the Alivio Medical Center to announce his campaign for re-election.
Cheryl Cook, for the Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich sits in the courtroom at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. Moments later her husband, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his attorneys, stepped before the judge to declare that Blagojevich wouldn't be testifying.
Nancy Stone, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, address the hoard of media in Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after the former governor was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Blagojevich began his remarks by quoting a line from a Rudyard Kipling poem: "If you can meet with triumph and disaster."
E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich tries to avoid the crush of media and onlookers as she and her husband, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, return home after he was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Tribune photo by Scott StrazzantePatti Blagojevich, the wife of Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, waits as her husband is interviewed by the television show 'Extra' at Planet Hollywood in New York City.
Tribune photo by John LeeGov. Rod Blagojevich waves to the audience after his swearing-in ceremony during his 2003 inauguration. Blagojevich was joined by his wife Patti, their daughter Amy and her father Ald. Dick Mell, center.
Chris Sweda/Chicago TribunePatti Blagojevich turns for the door after her family adopted a new dog named "Luella" from PAWS Chicago.
Tribune photo by Michael TerchaPatti Blagojevich leaves the home in Ravenswood Manor owned with her husband, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Tribune photo by Bob FilaBlagojevich arrives for his 2007 inauguration in Springfield with his wife Patti, and daughters Amy (center) and Annie, held by Patti.
David Pierini, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at his home on Sunnyside in Chicago following a bond hearing in federal court. His wife, Patti, tries to pull him towards the door. Blagojevich's bond was set at $450,000 and he was ordered to post his North Side house and Washington condo as collateral despite the defense declaring that the Chicago residence is up for sale. U.S. District Judge James Zagel called Blagojevich and his wife Patti before him to issue the standard warning that they could lose both properties if the former governor violated bond conditions. "I have no intention of violating the bond," Blagojevich said.
Nancy Stone / Chicago TribuneGov. Blagojevich, his wife Patti and daughters Amy, 7, and Annie, 1, attend a service at Chicago's Salem Baptish Church on June 6, 2004. Blagojevich and State Sen. Emil Jones toured area churches to advocate for their budget plan.
Tribune photo by Heather StoneFirst Lady Patricia Blagojevich helps the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and child abuse advocacy groups launch Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois in March 2008.
The News-Gazette photo by Robert K. O'DaniellIllinois First Lady Patricia Blagojevich talks about women's access to contraceptives at a news conference at the Champaign County Health Care Consumers office in downtown Champaign, Ill.
NBCPatti Blagojevich, wife of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, gets a hug from fellow contestant Torrie Wilson after Patti found she was voted off NBC's "I'm a Celebrity .. Get Me Out of Here!" in Costa Rica.
Terrence Antonio James, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and wife Patti, leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Blagojevich listened to himself on a secret recording made by federal investigators as he downplays the idea that he could have been secretly recorded by federal investigators.
José M. Osorio, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich stalls on his porch as his wife, Patti, tries to lead him inside following his sentencing to 14 years in prison.
Tribune photo by Scott StrazzantePatti Blagojevich, wife of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, waits for her husband to finish pressing the flesh outside of a Planet Hollywood in Times Square in New York City.
Alex Garcia, Chicago TribuneFormer Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and his wife Patti, arrive at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for the second day of closing arguments.
Tribune Photo by Bonnie TrafeletIllinois First Lady Patricia Blagojevich receives a pro-choice leadership award from Personal PAC. It was presented to her by her husband Gov. Rod Blagojevich during a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago.
Tribune photo by Chris WalkerGov. Rod Blagojevich makes his way to vote at Horner Park Fieldhouse in Chicago. He is joined by his wife Patricia and thier daughter Anne.
Jose More / Chicago TribunePatti and Rod Blagojevich dance at the Governor's Inaugural Ball held at the State fairgrounds, on Jan. 8, 2007. The Governor was starting his second term.
AP photo by Paul BeatyFormer First Lady of Illinois Patti Blagojevich and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich joke with the media while daughters Annie (right), and Amy (left), look on after Patti arrived at O'hare Airport in Chicago. Blagojevich came back from Costa Rica after participating in NBC's "I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here."
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago TribuneFormer Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti leave the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago following a verdict on June 27, 2011.
Terrence Antonio James, Chicago TribuneFormer Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago after another day in her husband's federal corruption trial.
AP photo by Paul BeatyFormer First Lady of Illinois Patti Blagojevich's sister Debra Mell (left) and daughter Annie react to seeing Patti for the first time in a month after she arrived at O'hare Airport in Chicago from Costa Rica after participating in NBC's "I'm A Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here."
José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune
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Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and wife Patti arrive at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for Blagojevich's third day on the stand. He attempted to refute allegations leveled by former chief of staff John Harris that Blagojevich had pressured him to help land a job for his wife, Patti, either in the securities industry or with the state. <a href="http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/news/local/chibrknews-blagojevich-to-take-the-stand-for-the-3rd-day-20110531,0,5693906.story" target="new">Read more >></a>
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Patti Blagojevich offered a spirited defense of her husband in a tearful interview with talk show hostRosie O’Donnell, saying she has never considered breaking up with the convicted former governor.
“It would be different if I believed he was a dirty, rotten, corrupt guy who did all these things,” she said in an episode of “The Rosie Show” that will air Wednesday on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
The interview comes just two weeks before Rod Blagojevich is set to report to federal prison in Colorado to start a 14-year sentence for corruption.
The couple has kept a low profile since his sentencing, and judging from the four clips posted by the show on its website, the former governor is struggling to accept the prospect of a long prison term.
“My husband doesn’t even want to talk about it,” Patti Blagojevich said. “He doesn’t even want to go there mentally.”
O’Donnell drew tears from Blagojevich when she advised how the former governor ought to face up to the reality of his looming punishment and talk to his daughters before he reports to prison by March 15.
“It would probably be wise to take the time between now and the 15th to get all of those feelings out to have him face the faces of his children and look them in the eye and say, ‘This is breaking daddy’s heart,'” O’Donnell said.
“Now you’re going to make me cry,” Patti Blagojevich said softly, fighting back tears.
Blagojevich said her biggest fear was that her two daughters would be “totally screwed up from this.”
