6 Things to Know About Michael Haley, Nikki Haley's Husband

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Nikki Haley is officially running for president. With the news of her 2024 presidential campaign, many are curious about the man who could hypothetically become America's first First Gentleman. Who is Nikki Haley's husband, Michael Haley?

Here are six things to know about Michael "Bill" Haley.

1. He was born in Ohio and adopted at age 3.

Nikki writes in her memoir, "His biological father was an alcoholic who had trouble with the law. His family lived in a house in Ohio with no electricity and no running water. When Bill was three, he and his four siblings were removed from their home by the state. The weekend before his biological mother was going to regain custody of the kids, she got in a car accident and suffered a brain injury. She was no longer able to care for the kids, so Bill and his two sisters were put in foster care in one home, and his older brother and sister went to different homes nearby."

So at age 3, Michael and his four siblings entered foster care, and at age 4, Michael and his younger sister, Lee Anne, were adopted by Bill and Carole Haley. Bill was the manager of a steel mill and Carole was a school teacher. "The Haleys had never been told that there were more than two children to be adopted," Nikki writes. So, Michael wouldn't track down all his siblings for over fifteen years.

When he was in high school, his parents retired, and they moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Hilton Head, South Carolina. In 1988, he graduated from Hilton Head Preparatory School.

2. He met Nikki at Clemson University.

Nikki and Michael met when she was a freshman at Clemson University in 1989, and he was attending nearby Anderson University. Though Michael—whom Nikki calls Bill—had a girlfriend when they first met, they soon began dating.

They married at St. Andrew By-the-Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head in 1996; their wedding had to be postponed because of Hurricane Fran. They also had a Sikh ceremony, but Nikki converted to Michael's faith.

3. He was deployed to Afghanistan during Nikki's tenure as Governor of South Carolina.

Michael is a captain in South Carolina's National Guard. His military career began in 2006, and in 2012, he was deployed to Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

"This deployment is the reason I joined the National Guard," Michael said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The only thing that gives me pause is the yearlong deployment away from family. But in the end, I can't help but to think giving one year along with my fellow soldiers, as many have done before me, to secure a life of freedom for my family is well worth all that comes with it."

"Our time has come," Nikki said in a statement. "Our family could not be more proud of Michael and every man and woman who puts on a uniform."

4. He's the family cook.

As Nikki wrote in Can't Is Not an Option: My American Story, her 2012 memoir, "To this day, if my husband, Michael, didn't cook, my family would never have a home-cooked meal."

Michael and Nikki have two children, Rena and Nalin. Rena got engaged in July 2022, and Michael posted on his Instagram, "Love these two!! Celebration Time!!"

5. He still goes by FGOSC, First Gentleman of South Carolina, on his Instagram account.

He often shares family snaps:

6. He will deploy to Africa and miss much of his wife's 2024 presidential campaign.

Michael Haley will soon begin a yearlong deployment with the South Carolina Army National Guard to Africa, according to the Associated Press.

"Our family, like every military family, is ready to make personal sacrifices when our loved one answers the call," Nikki Haley said in a statement. "We could not be prouder of Michael and his military brothers and sisters. Their commitment to protecting our freedom is a reminder of how blessed we are to live in America."

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