Jon Huntsman Fast Facts Here’s a look at the life of Jon Huntsman, former Utah Governor and 2012 Republican presidential candidate. Personal Birth place: Palo Alto, California Birth name: Jon Meade Huntsman Jr. Father: Jon Meade Huntsman Sr., billionaire chemical magnate Mother: Karen (Haight) Huntsman Marriage: Mary Kaye Cooper (1983-present) Children: Asha Bharati, adopted from India; Gracie Mei, adopted from China; William, Jon III, Elizabeth, Abigail and Mary Anne Education: Attended University of Utah, 1978-1980; University of Pennsylvania, B.A. in Political Science, 1987 Religion: Mormon Other Facts Dropped out of high school in his senior year to play piano with local bands. The University of Utah, at the time, allowed completion of high school coursework after admission.