Ken Paxton’s Family: Inside His Estranged Marriage to Sen. Angela Paxton and Their Four Children

Ken Paxton’s family has frequently been drawn into the public eye as the Texas attorney general pursued higher office. The long-running marriage between Ken Paxton and state Sen. Angela Paxton (née Allen) — which began in 1986 after the couple met at Baylor University — came under scrutiny when Angela filed for divorce in July 2025.

Background and Early Life

Ken and Angela met while students at Baylor University. Ken served as student body president and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology; Angela graduated with a degree in mathematics and computer science. The couple married in 1986 and eventually raised four children: Tucker, Abby, Mattie and Katie.

Ken Paxton campaigns on February 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas; Angela Paxton in May 2025.Credit: Richard Rodriguez/Getty; Angela Paxton/Instagram

Angela Paxton: Teacher Turned State Senator

Angela spent more than two decades in public education, teaching from 1991 to 2017. She was elected to the Texas Senate in November 2018 and took office in January 2019, representing District 8.

Family Life

Angela Paxton on September 12, 2023, in Austin, TexasCredit: Eric Gay/AP Photo

The Paxtons’ four children are adults. Angela has shared family milestones publicly at times — noting in a 2020 Facebook post that daughter Abby served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Their daughter Mattie is a mother of four, including twins born in September 2024, according to Angela’s Instagram.

Separation and Divorce Filing

After 38 years of marriage, Angela announced in July 2025 that she had filed for divorce, writing on X that the decision was made on "biblical grounds." Court documents obtained by local outlets and national reporting allege adultery and state the couple had not lived together since June 2024. In her public post Angela wrote,

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on February 23, 2024 in MarylandCredit: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty

"I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation. But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage."

Ken Paxton posted on X that the pair had "decided to start a new chapter" after enduring intense political scrutiny. He has not publicly addressed the adultery allegations in detail.

Political Overlap and Public Reaction

Their personal and political lives have intersected. When Ken faced multiple impeachment counts in 2023 — including allegations related to fraud — Angela was barred from voting in his Senate trial because of her legislative role; Ken was later acquitted of those charges. During his 2026 bid for the U.S. Senate, Ken defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn for the Republican nomination in May 2026, a race in which he was backed by former President Donald Trump. Angela did not endorse him in the primary and publicly encouraged support for Mayes Middleton for attorney general.

Family Support and Public Defense

Amid the media attention, at least one of the Paxton children publicly defended Ken. Daughter Mattie wrote an op-ed during the 2026 campaign describing her father as a man of faith and family and pushing back against attacks on his character.

The Paxton family’s story — from a decades-long marriage and careers in public service to a public separation and ongoing political activity — has kept them prominent in Texas news cycles.