Ashley Estes Kavanaugh is a public official and political aide from the United States. She is married to Brett Kavanaugh, a Justice of the US Supreme Court. Her public profile rose primarily through her long-standing professional relationship with the Bush family. She served as George W. Bush’s personal assistant during his time as the governor of Texas and was an active participant in his presidential campaigns. After Bush won the presidency, Ashley served as his personal secretary for approximately four years. During her tenure at the White House, she met her future husband, Brett Kavanaugh, who was working as an associate counsel at the time. Their wedding was a notable event attended by various public figures, including then-President Bush. Following their wedding, Ashley maintained her professional ties to the administration, serving as the director of special projects for the George W. Bush Presidential Foundation and later as the media relations coordinator for the George W. Bush Presidential Center. More recently, she drew significant media attention when she publicly defended her husband against allegations of sexual assault. She remained a steadfast supporter throughout the controversy, speaking out on his behalf. At present, Ashley holds the position of town manager for the village of Chevy Chase Section Five in Maryland.
Childhood & Early Life
Ashley Estes Kavanaugh was born Ashley Jean Estes on November 4, 1974, in Abilene, Texas. While details regarding her immediate family remain private, she attended Abilene Cooper High School, graduating in 1993. During her high school years, she was highly involved in campus life, serving on the Student Council for two years and competing on the golf team for three. She then moved on to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1997.
Career of Ashley Estes Kavanaugh
Ashley’s professional journey began in 1996 as a personal assistant to George W. Bush during his time as Governor of Texas, a role she held until 1999. She transitioned into a campaign role during his 2000 presidential run, and upon his election in 2001, she was named Personal Secretary to the President. In this capacity, she oversaw presidential correspondence and became a well-known figure within the White House until 2005.
Following her time in the West Wing, she served as the Director of Special Projects for the George W. Bush Presidential Foundation (2005–2009) and subsequently as the Media Relations Coordinator for the George W. Bush Presidential Center (2009–2010). Due to the sensitive nature of her proximity to the presidency, many specific details of her duties remain confidential. Since 2016, she has served as the Town Manager for Chevy Chase Section Five in Maryland. Appointed by the Town Council to this non-partisan role, she manages the administrative needs of the 227-home community, often working from home and coordinating local events like the annual Fourth of July festivities.
Family & Personal Life
Ashley is married to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The pair met as White House colleagues while she was the President’s secretary and he was serving as an associate counsel and staff secretary. Their 2004 wedding was a high-profile event attended by President George W. Bush and was highlighted in the Washingtonian. The couple has two daughters, Margaret and Liza.
Though she generally prefers a private life, Ashley became the center of media attention during the sexual misconduct allegations brought against her husband. She remained a steadfast defender of his character, appearing alongside him in a Fox News interview to affirm her belief in his innocence. In the wake of the controversy, she withdrew from public view for a period and has reportedly been the recipient of threatening correspondence.