RETIRED army general Lloyd Austin, who was appointed to President Joe Biden's cabinet in 2021, has dedicated most of his life to the US military.
Lloyd, an Alabama native, was released from the critical care unit at Walter Reed Hospital on February 13, 2024, not long after receiving treatment in late 2023.
Who is Lloyd Austin married to?
Lloyd married Charlene Austin four decades ago. The pair met at Auburn University, the college from which they both graduated.
Charlene is a national advisor for the Military Child Education Coalition and is also a board member of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University.
She also provided volunteer consulting to local and national non-profit organizations from 2009 to 2016.
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Charlene also serves on the Board of Governance for United Way Suncoast based in Tampa Florida and the Advisory Committee for the United Way Suncoast - Mission United Project.
She has been recognized for her work in public service and was awarded in 2013 the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award for her contributions to the community.
Austin has previously praised Charlene for her work and dedicating "her time and energy to the care and sustainment of military families."
Does Lloyd Austin have children?
Lloyd Austin and his wife Charlene Austin, who have been married for 40 years, do not have any children together.
Reportedly, Charlene has a son from a previous relationship, but not much public information is available on him.
Why did Lloyd Austin make history?
Austin made history as the first Black man appointed secretary of defense.
He was confirmed as secretary of defense by the US Senate with a 93-2 vote.
“The fact is, Austin’s many strengths and his intimate knowledge of the Department of Defense and our government are uniquely matched to the challenges and crises we face,” Biden wrote of his appointment. “He is the person we need in this moment.”
Of the 41 military leaders with four-star ranks, only two are Black, according to NPR.
"It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position," Austin tweeted of his role. "Let’s get to work."
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Austin is known as a shrewd strategist with deep knowledge of the armed forces and developed a working relationship with Biden during the Obama administration.
The US Department of Defense is the world's largest employer with 2.2 million service members and a civilian workforce of more than 700,000.
Austin was previously a four-star army general and is a West Point graduate who retired in 2016.
He was the 12th commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), making history by being the first black commander.
Prior to that role, Austin was the 33rd vice chief of staff of the United States Army and the last commanding general of United States Forces – Iraq Operation New Dawn until 2011.
Austin also served on served on the boards of Raytheon Technologies, Nucor, and Tenet Healthcare after retiring.
Biden said it was important that the next secretary of defense personally know the human cost of war.
What happened to Lloyd Austin?
On February 11, 2024, Lloyd Austin was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for apparent bladder issues.
The Pentagon revealed his symptoms were "suggesting an emergent bladder issue."
Austin's duties were temporarily transferred to the Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks.
However, Austin was released from the facility on February 13, 2024, and immediately resumed his duties.
That hospitalization came just weeks after Austin received a secret treatment for prostate cancer in December 2024.
Following the surgery, Austin developed a urinary tract infection and serious intestinal complications and was hospitalized in January.