Who is Janna Ryan? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Age: 55 Years, 55 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Paul Ryan (m. 2000)

siblings: Dana Little Jackson, Molly Little Olcott

children: Charles Ryan, Elizabeth Ryan, Samuel Ryan

Family Members American Women

U.S. State: Oklahoma

Recommended For You

Childhood & Early Life

Janna Ryan was born Janna Christine Little in 1969 in Oklahoma, USA. She was raised in the tiny town of Madill along with her two sisters, Dana and Molly. Janna was interested in helping others right from her childhood. As a kid, she was part of a non-profit organization called ‘4-H.’ Janna’s father, Dan, who is a lawyer, practices in Madill.

Her mother, Prudence, who was a founding member of the ‘Oklahoma Ethics Commission,’ was diagnosed with advanced melanoma, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer at various stages of her life. She eventually lost the battle to advanced melanoma in 2010. Janna studied at the prestigious ‘Wellesley College,’ where she dabbled in liberal causes. In fact, she once took a road trip to Washington in order to march for women’s rights. After graduating from ‘Wellesley College,’ Janna made her way to the nation’s capital to earn a law degree from ‘George Washington University.’

Continue Reading Below

Career

After completing her college education, Janna started working as a tax attorney and lobbyist for companies like ‘PriceWaterhouseCooper’ and ‘Williams & Jensen.’ She then became a corporate lobbyist, representing some of the major companies in the cigar, drug, and oil industries. She represented companies like ‘Blue Cross Blue Shield Association,’ ‘Novartis,’ ‘American Physical Therapy Association,’ ‘The Cigar Association of America,’ ‘Marathon Oil,’ and ‘United Parcel Service.’ Janna pursued her career until 2000, when she married Paul Ryan.

Relationship with Paul Ryan

Janna met Paul at her 30th birthday party when a mutual friend A. Mark Neuman introduced him to her. Despite coming from different political backgrounds, Janna and Paul started going out together, as they had similar interests like fishing and hunting. The couple dated for a year, before walking down the aisle in December 2000. Janna and Paul were eventually blessed with three children, namely Elizabeth Anne, Charles Wilson, and Samuel Lowery. Since Janna and Paul wanted their kids to have a normal childhood, Janna decided to raise her children in Janesville instead of moving with Paul to Washington, D.C. when he was elected to Congress. Thus, Janna chose to become a stay-at-home mother at the expense of her career.

Personal Life & Family

Janna Ryan had a strong political background even before meeting Paul. Her grandfather, Reuel Winfred Little, helped found the ‘American Party’ in order to support George Wallace in his 1968 presidential campaign. Janna’s uncle David Boren was a U.S. senator and a Democrat governor. Her first cousin Daniel David Boren is a former Democratic Representative. Unlike her famous family members, Janna Ryan hates hogging the limelight. Instead, she loves spending time with her kids at her Georgian-style brick home in Janesville.

At the time of her mother’s death, Janna inherited a trust fund worth millions of dollars. Despite being a millionaire, Janna is often described by her friends and family members as a down to earth person. She loves accompanying her husband whenever he goes fishing and hunting. In fact, Ryan had popped the question to Janna at ‘Big Saint Germain Lake,’ which is one of their favorite fishing spots. Janna is currently looking forward to raise her children along with her husband, as Paul Ryan announced his retirement in 2018.

Janna Ryan Biography