Rachel Maddow's Longtime Partner Susan Mikula Is an Artist and Photographer
Updated Nov. 8 2022, 3:29 p.m. ET
News anchors aren't always all that forward about their personal lives, but in recent years, Rachel Maddow has spoken more and more about her longtime partner Susan Mikula. Previously, Rachel revealed that she underwent surgery to treat skin cancer and noted how supportive her partner was, which intrigued viewers who wanted to know more.
So, who is Susan Mikula, Rachel's longterm partner? Keep reading for everything you need to know about this talented couple.
Susan Mikula in conversation with Christopher Bonanos
Who is Susan Mikula?
Rachel's partner Susan Mikula is an artist and photographer. Typically, Susan uses older technologies to produce her photographs, and her work has been featured in galleries across the U.S.
Susan and Rachel met in 1999 when Rachel was working on her doctoral dissertation. She hired Rachel to work on her yard, and the two went on a date.
In early 2021, Rachel went on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss her relationship and how "scary" it was almost losing her partner to COVID-19. She said, "I'm lucky I have the world's greatest relationship, and I'm totally in love, and she's the most important thing in my life." She added, "To feel like her life was on the line, I will never be the same person. It was so scary."
Susan is the reason that Rachel was treated for skin cancer.
In an October 2022 episode her MSNBC show The Rachel Maddow Show, Rachel said that she was doing well after recovering from surgery to treat skin cancer. She further explained that it was actually Susan who noticed that a mole on her neck had changed appearance over the past few months, per NBC News. Rachel then saw a dermatologist, who conducted a biopsy to confirm that the mole was cancer.
“I had a few days off because I had surgery at NYU Langone on Friday. They’re fantastic. They got it. They got all of it," Rachel explained. “I’m good. I have clear margins, the whole thing.”
Rachel also said that, moving forward, she would be extra vigilant to make sure that she didn't miss any signs of cancer.
“I know I need to have everything checked, like, every five minutes from here on out because I do not want to get this again,” she said. “Susan was right. She always is! I am going to be absolutely fine. I’m going to be totally fine.”
Rachel also had a message for her viewers, urging them to check their bodies regularly.
“It’s only by the grace of Susan that I found mine in enough time that it was totally treatable, because I have been blowing off my appointments forever to get stuff like that checked, because I’ve assumed it will always be fine,” Rachel said. “You do need to get this stuff checked at the doctor. Do not blow it off.”
Through her show, Rachel established a personal rapport with her viewers. She offers them details about her life not just to create a closer relationship with them, but to offer them advice that's based in her own experience.
Clearly, Rachel hopes everyone has a Susan in their life to look out for them!