Take A Deep Breath Before You See Nikki Haley’s Actual Husband

Nikki Haley's husband, William Michael Haley, has married her since 1996. They met in college seven years ago and have two children: daughter Rena and son Nalin. Michael was deployed during Nikki's tenure as South Carolina governor, and the couple has faced both triumphs and challenges throughout their decades together. Michael is currently serving a yearlong deployment in Djibouti, Africa, as a major in the National Guard. Nikki is one of only two Republican candidates campaigning for the nomination. Michael was born in Ohio. According to Nikki's memoir, Michael's biological father had trouble with the law and was an alcoholic. Michael and his four siblings were placed in foster care when he was a toddler, and they lived in a home without electricity or running water. After their mother's car accident and traumatic brain injury, she was no longer able to care for Michael and his siblings, causing them to be placed back in foster care. Michael did not reunite with his siblings until 15 years after his adoption. In 1989, Nikki started attending Clemson University at 17 years old, while Michael was enrolled at Anderson University nearby at 19 years old. John, Michael's roommate, introduced him to Nikki, who happened to be John's friend from her hometown. They quickly became friends and spent an entire weekend together. Michael's honesty and gratitude impressed Nikki, which may have saved their relationship. Michael transferred to Clemson University to spend more time with her. Nikki was raised in the Sikh faith by her parents, Ajit Singh and Raj Kaur Randhawa, immigrants from India. Rena and Nalin were baptized in the Methodist Church, and Nikki herself was baptized at St. Andrew By-the-Sea before their wedding. According to a 2010 interview with The New York Times, Nikki and her family attended Methodist and Sikh services. Nikki and Michael have two children together. Their daughter Rena was born on June 8, 1998, two years after their wedding. On September 6, 2001, in South Carolina, they welcomed their second child, a son named Nalin. Although neither child has expressed interest in pursuing a political career, they have both supported their mother.