Roy Cooper Wife: Meet Kristin Cooper, the Attorney and Former North Carolina First Lady

Roy Cooper’s political career has drawn renewed attention as the former North Carolina governor pursues a seat in the United States Senate. His move into national politics has also sparked interest in his personal life, particularly his wife, Kristin Cooper, who spent eight years serving as North Carolina’s first lady. An attorney and longtime advocate for children, Kristin has maintained her own professional identity while supporting her husband’s decades of public service.

Roy Cooper is married to Kristin Cooper, née Bernhardt, an attorney and former first lady of North Carolina. The couple married on March 28, 1992, and have three daughters, Hilary, Natalie, and Claire. Their marriage has spanned more than three decades, including Cooper’s years as North Carolina attorney general and governor.

Who Is Roy Cooper’s Wife?

Kristin Cooper is an American attorney who became widely known during her husband’s two terms as governor of North Carolina.

Before entering the public spotlight, she developed a career in law and worked on issues involving children and families.

Unlike many political spouses whose public activities focus primarily on campaign appearances, Kristin brought substantial professional experience to her role as first lady.

Her legal background and volunteer work helped shape her advocacy priorities, particularly her interest in foster care, child welfare, and educational opportunities.

Kristin generally maintained a relatively low public profile compared with her husband, although she regularly participated in official events and community initiatives.

During her years in the North Carolina Executive Mansion, she became associated with efforts to improve children’s lives and promote the state’s cultural institutions.

Kristin Cooper’s Early Life and Education

Kristin Cooper was born Kristin Bernhardt and grew up with an interest in education, public service, and the law.

She attended Campbell University School of Law in North Carolina, where she earned her law degree.

Her legal education provided the foundation for a career that combined professional responsibilities with community involvement.

After completing her studies, Kristin worked as a legislative staff attorney, gaining experience with the legal and administrative processes involved in state government.

That background later proved valuable when she became North Carolina’s first lady.

Rather than approaching public service solely through ceremonial responsibilities, she was familiar with how government policies and legal institutions affect families.

Her professional experience also helped her understand the challenges facing children involved in the court system.

When Did Roy Cooper and Kristin Cooper Get Married?

Roy Cooper and Kristin Bernhardt married on March 28, 1992.

Their wedding took place years before Roy became one of North Carolina’s most recognizable political figures.

At the time, Cooper was already building a career in state politics after entering the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1987.

The couple subsequently established their family while Roy continued serving in the state legislature.

He later became North Carolina attorney general in 2001, a position he held for 16 years.

Throughout those years, Kristin balanced family responsibilities with her professional and volunteer commitments.

Their marriage continued through Cooper’s successful gubernatorial campaign in 2016 and his reelection in 2020.

By March 2026, the couple had celebrated 34 years of marriage.

Their longstanding relationship has remained an important part of Cooper’s public biography, although both have generally avoided sharing extensive details about their private family life.

Roy and Kristin Cooper Have Three Daughters

Roy and Kristin Cooper are parents to three daughters: Hilary, Natalie, and Claire.

The family has longstanding connections to North Carolina, where the children grew up while their father served in various state government positions.

Although the Cooper daughters have occasionally appeared in family photographs and at political events, they have generally maintained their privacy.

Their parents have not consistently publicized detailed information about their personal relationships, careers, or everyday activities.

During Cooper’s governorship, family life remained an important part of his public identity.

Kristin’s experience raising three daughters also influenced her interest in programs supporting children and families across the state.

The couple’s approach to parenting has largely emphasized maintaining a stable family environment despite the responsibilities and public attention associated with political office.

Kristin Cooper’s Work as a Child Advocate

One of the most significant aspects of Kristin Cooper’s professional and volunteer background is her work supporting vulnerable children.

She spent more than a decade serving as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, advocating for children involved in the foster care and court systems.

Guardian ad Litem volunteers help represent children’s interests in legal proceedings, particularly when courts must make decisions involving their safety and well-being.

The role requires reviewing information about a child’s circumstances, communicating with relevant individuals, and helping ensure that the child’s needs are considered.

Kristin’s experience gave her direct insight into the challenges facing children who experience neglect, abuse, or family instability.

Her advocacy work became an important foundation for the initiatives she supported as first lady.

She consistently emphasized the importance of giving children safe environments, access to education, and opportunities to succeed.

Her Role as North Carolina First Lady

Kristin Cooper served as North Carolina’s first lady from January 2017 until January 2025.

During that period, she participated in community events, visited educational institutions, and supported organizations focused on children’s welfare.

Her priorities included foster care, early childhood literacy, and improving opportunities for young people.

She also promoted the arts and cultural activities throughout North Carolina.

Her background as an attorney and child advocate influenced how she approached the position.

Rather than focusing exclusively on traditional ceremonial duties, she used the platform to highlight issues affecting vulnerable children and families.

Kristin also helped represent North Carolina at official gatherings and events connected to the governor’s office.

Her eight years as first lady concluded when Roy Cooper completed his second term in January 2025.

Roy Cooper’s Senate Campaign and Family Support

Roy Cooper returned to the center of political attention after announcing his campaign for the United States Senate in July 2025.

The former governor entered the race for the North Carolina seat held by Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who announced that he would not seek reelection.

Cooper’s campaign drew national interest because of his history of winning statewide elections in a politically competitive state.

His experience as attorney general and governor has become central to his Senate campaign.

Although Kristin Cooper has maintained her own identity through legal and volunteer work, her longstanding support has remained part of her husband’s political journey.

The couple have experienced decades of public life together, from Roy’s early legislative career to his time in the governor’s mansion and his Senate campaign.

For those searching for Roy Cooper’s wife, Kristin Cooper is an attorney, former North Carolina first lady, and mother of their three daughters. Her work supporting foster children, literacy, and the arts has established a public service record of her own, separate from her husband’s political achievements.