Rachel Campos-Duffy Opens Up About Life With Nine Kids, Why Her Faith Is Unshakable, and How She Handles Public Judgment With Grace

While Rachel Campos-Duffy may be a familiar face on cable news, her most important role takes place far from the studio lights — at home, as a mother to nine children. The Fox News personality and her husband, former Congressman Sean Duffy, have built a large, lively, and deeply faith-centered family, a decision that has earned both admiration and harsh judgment.

“When I announced I was expecting our ninth, I never imagined the headlines and backlash it would trigger,” Rachel shares. “Suddenly, I was being attacked online, accused of being irresponsible, and even called an enemy to the environment. It was wild — and honestly, revealing.”

A Family Grown in Love, Not Planning

Rachel is quick to clarify that her large family wasn’t the product of some deliberate master plan. “We didn’t map it out. These babies weren’t scheduled. Each one arrived in God’s timing, and we welcomed them with love. The ninth came when I thought I was done — I was older and didn’t expect it. But God had other ideas.”

Living in rural Wisconsin has made the day-to-day realities of a big family more manageable. “I can’t imagine raising nine kids in an urban setting like New York or L.A. Out here, there’s space, community, and a lifestyle that just supports bigger families better.”

Within the home, the sibling relationships are what Rachel treasures most. “My kids have built-in best friends. They fight sometimes, sure, but they also support one another, play together, and learn life lessons from just being in each other’s lives daily.”

Teaching Humility Through Everyday Life

The environment they’re raised in, she says, instills valuable traits. “When a teacher tells me my kid is thoughtful or aware of others, that’s everything. Big families create a sense of shared responsibility. You learn fast that the world doesn’t revolve around you.”

She doesn’t pretend it’s always seamless. “We’re perpetually late. Getting nine kids out the door? It’s chaos. And the Latina timing stereotype doesn’t help,” she jokes.

Anchoring Everything in Faith

For Rachel and Sean, faith is the glue that holds everything together. “We pray as a family, go to Mass, and try to keep God at the center of our home. That’s what grounds us.”

Her parenting philosophy reflects this spiritual foundation: “I’m not raising overachievers — I’m raising souls. I want kind, faithful, honest kids. The world chases success in academics and sports, but character is what truly counts.”

Pushing Back on Public Criticism

Rachel has heard it all — that big families deny kids attention, or that they’re burdens to society. Her response is candid. “We’ve always worked. Sean had a job, and so did I. We paid our taxes and never relied on government aid, even when we qualified.”

She adds, “Children in large families may not get 24/7 undivided attention, but they gain independence, resilience, and empathy. You can spoil a child just as much with constant attention and no boundaries.”

Working Mom, Still Hands-On

Before returning to public life, Rachel spent over a decade as a full-time mother. “I was home for 14 years. Later, I started writing and working with organizations like the Libre Initiative. Joining Fox News gave me a platform, but I’ve been lucky — most of my work is remote.”

She notes the shift in modern fatherhood with admiration. “Dads today are more involved than ever. Sean is incredibly present. He helps with school, activities, and just being there. It’s a beautiful thing to see in this generation of fathers.”

Faith, Family, and Political Conversation

In the Duffy home, conversations are anything but ordinary. “Our dinner table is where politics, faith, and personal stories all mix. The kids are aware of the world, and they’ve seen parts of it most children their age haven’t — from campaign rallies to sitting in on congressional sessions.”

Still, amid all the movement and meaning, Rachel hopes her children hold tight to one message: “We say it often — ‘Jesus, I trust in You.’ That simple prayer keeps us anchored in truth and peace when life feels uncertain.”