About Utah First Lady Abby Cox

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Abby Palmer Cox became Utah’s first lady when her husband Spencer J. Cox was sworn in as governor on Jan. 4, 2021. She and Gov. Cox, her high school sweetheart, have been married for 26 years. 

As Utah’s first lady, Abby hopes to inspire Utahns to break down the barriers that separate people from treating one another as equals. She is an outspoken advocate for “getting proximate,” connecting through our differences, and combating the empathy crisis our country is facing. 

Abby’s initiative is called “Show Up,” and she uses her platform to convene, contribute to, and champion projects related to emotional self-reliance, service, foster care and sporting opportunities for children who live with intellectual disabilities. 

Born and raised in the small rural town of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, Abby grew up on the Palmer family ranch where the values of hard work and grit were a way of life. Her parents are Ken and Charlene Palmer, and she has seven sisters and two brothers.  

Both she and Spencer graduated from North Sanpete High School and Snow College. He followed her to Utah State University where she earned her degree in Special Education with a dual emphasis in Early Childhood and Severe Disabilities.

Throughout the seven years Spencer Cox served as lieutenant governor, the Cox family lived in Fairview, a town of about 1,200 residents, located two hours south of Utah’s capital. Connections to their rural community remain strong. 

Abby has always been active in her community through PTA involvement, church youth groups and service to the homeless. Abby enjoys horses, reading, music, hiking, running and family outdoor activities.  She and Governor Cox are the proud parents of four children — Gavin, Kaleb, Adam and EmmaKate. 

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