Eleanor Darragh, born Eleanor Elizabeth Wilson, is best known as the mother of U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and the wife of Rafael Cruz. She has often come up in headlines involving Ted Cruz real name, citizenship, and political lineage.

Her life story is more than just a footnote in politics. She studied mathematics, worked in technology, and raised children, including Caroline Camille Cruz. Want to know her age, her ethnicity, and how her background shaped her life? Keep reading.

Eleanor Darragh’s Early Life & Education

Eleanor was born on November 23, 1934, in Wilmington, Delaware. Her background was mixed, of Irish and Italian descent, and therefore her ethnicity is half Irish, half Italian.

She became the first member of her family to go to college. She received a major in mathematics at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

What Is Eleanor Darragh’s Age & Where Is She Now?

Eleanor Darragh was born in 1934. She is 91 years old as of 2025. Information about her later life is less publicized. She is known to maintain privacy.

How Did Eleanor Meet Rafael Cruz?

During her employment in an oil-industry setting, Eleanor encountered Rafael Cruz, a Cuban immigrant . They married in 1969. They worked together and raised their family.

Later, both migrated to Alberta, Canada, where their son Ted Cruz was born on December 22, 1970. Earlier years consisted of the balancing of education, work, and parenting in a new environment.

Eleanor Darragh’s Career & Life Journey

Eleanor’s career path bridged academia and technical work. She used her mathematics degree to take on roles that few women of that era held. One of her early jobs was as a computer programmer in the oil industry. Also, she worked in data processing and related roles that required analytical thinking.

She supported her family while pushing forward in her career. Her professional life helped build a strong foundation for her children, including Ted Cruz and Caroline Camille Cruz. 

What Is Eleanor Darragh’s Role In Ted Cruz’s Life?

Ted Cruz, whose real name is Rafael Edward Ted Cruz, was born to the parents, Eleanor and Rafael Cruz. She assisted in developing his values, education, and identity. It is possible that her influence contributed to the fact that Ted loved learning and debates at a young age.

The relationship with his mother has been mentioned several times when discussing the emotional perspective and adherence to some values of Ted. She also has a granddaughter, Caroline Camille Cruz, among others.

What Is Eleanor Darragh’s Legacy?

Here’s the thing: Eleanor Darragh’s life offers more than just connections to famous names. Her journey shows perseverance, intelligence, and quiet leadership.

She broke barriers, being one of the few women of her time to study mathematics, entering technical fields, and supporting a family with immigrant roots. Her influence on Ted Cruz and Caroline Camille Cruz continues to matter in public discussions.

Her story also reminds us that behind political figures are real people with histories and values. Knowing more about Eleanor Darragh wikipedia, her ethnicity, and her life helps us understand Ted Cruz more fully.

In Nutshell

Eleanor Darragh is not just “Ted Cruz’s mother” or “Rafael Cruz’s wife.” She is a woman of strong intellect, early ambitions, and deep roots. Learning about her age, her academic and professional path, her heritage, and how she shaped her family casts new light on many stories you’ve probably heard.