The Two Wives Of Thomas Massie: A Look At Rhonda Massie’s Legacy And Carolyn Moffa’s New Chapter

The life of U.S. Representative Thomas Massie has seen a profound and very public shift in the latter half of 2024, moving from a period of deep mourning to a surprising new chapter of marriage. This article, updated in December 2025, delves into the biographies of the two extraordinary women who have stood by the Kentucky Congressman: his late first wife, Rhonda Howard Massie, his partner in a 30-year journey of self-sufficiency, and his current wife, Carolyn Grace Moffa, a former congressional insider. The contrast between these two relationships—one a decades-long partnership rooted in Kentucky’s off-grid lifestyle, the other a fresh political union—offers a unique look into the private life of one of Washington’s most independent figures.

The news of Massie’s recent marriage to Carolyn Grace Moffa, announced in November 2024, came just months after the tragic and sudden passing of his first wife, Rhonda, in June 2024. This rapid succession of life events has brought significant attention to the Congressman’s family life, highlighting the enduring legacy of Rhonda Massie and introducing the public to the new woman by his side, a former Washington D.C. staffer with deep ties to the Republican political landscape.

The Women of Congressman Thomas Massie's Life: A Dual Biography

The story of Thomas Massie’s marital life is one of two distinct and powerful partnerships. The first was a foundational union with his high school sweetheart, Rhonda, built on a shared vision of independence. The second is a new marriage to Carolyn, a woman from the political sphere who shares his conservative ideology and commitment to public service.

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Rhonda Kay Howard Massie: The Off-Grid Partner

• Full Name: Rhonda Kay Howard Massie
• Date of Birth: March 20, 1973
• Place of Birth: Portsmouth, Ohio
• Date of Death: Thursday, June 27, 2024
• Age at Death: 51
• Relationship Status: Wife of Thomas Massie for over 30 years.
• Education: College classmate of Thomas Massie (they both attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, though her specific degree is not widely publicized).
• Lifestyle: Co-architect of the Massie family’s famous self-sustainable, off-grid home on their farm in Garrison, Kentucky.
• Legacy: Remembered by Thomas Massie as "the love of his life," "his high school sweetheart," and "his beautiful and wise queen forever."
• Family: She and Thomas Massie had children, though their names are kept private.

Carolyn Grace Moffa: The Congressional Insider

• Full Name: Carolyn Grace Moffa
• Relationship Status: Current wife of Thomas Massie.
• Marriage Date: Legally married on October 19, 2024 (announced November 3, 2024).
• Professional Background: Former congressional staffer in Washington D.C.
• Key Career Role: Served as a staffer for U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) for several years, with her employment history and salary data publicly recorded between 2011 and 2016.
• Current Role: Has transitioned from a D.C. political career to her new role as the wife of a sitting Kentucky Congressman.

A Life Lived Off-Grid: The Rhonda Massie Legacy

The 30-year marriage between Thomas and Rhonda Massie was defined by a radical commitment to self-reliance and libertarian principles. Their life together was not the typical story of a Washington politician and his spouse; instead, it was a testament to a shared vision of independence from the modern electrical and utility grid.

Rhonda was the co-creator of the family’s iconic off-grid home in Garrison, Kentucky, a structure they built themselves over 18 years. The house is powered by solar energy, uses a passive solar design, and incorporates a composting toilet system, reflecting a deep dedication to a self-sustainable lifestyle. This home, situated on a sprawling farm, became a symbol of Massie’s political philosophy, embodying his staunch belief in individual liberty and minimal government dependence.

Their relationship began in high school, and they were college classmates, both attending the highly prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This shared background in engineering and intellectual rigor formed the bedrock of their partnership, allowing them to collaborate on everything from their unique home construction to raising their children. Rhonda’s sudden death in June 2024 was a profound shock to the family and the political community, with Massie describing her as his "beautiful and wise queen forever." While the family did not immediately disclose the cause of death, some reports later suggested a battle with cancer, a detail that resonated with many families facing similar struggles.

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Carolyn Grace Moffa: From Rand Paul Staffer to Congressional Wife

The marriage of Thomas Massie and Carolyn Grace Moffa marks a new chapter, one that brings a different kind of political synergy to the Congressman’s life. Carolyn is well-acquainted with the inner workings of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, having spent several years as a congressional staffer.

Her most notable public role was serving on the staff of Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a fellow libertarian-leaning Republican and a close political ally of Thomas Massie. Her work in the Senate, documented through public salary records from 2011 to 2016, indicates a deep professional understanding of the legislative process and the conservative political landscape. This experience provides a new dimension to Massie’s support system, transitioning from a relationship focused on an independent, off-grid home life to one with a partner steeped in the political realities of Washington D.C.

The wedding, which took place legally in Kentucky on October 19, 2024, and was announced publicly in early November, was a quiet affair, reflecting the family's desire for privacy during a period of transition. The couple was married by the pastor of the church they attend, signaling a commitment to their shared faith and community. While the public may wonder how an experienced D.C. staffer will adapt to the Congressman's self-sustainable, off-grid home, the union clearly solidifies a powerful political and personal bond.

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The Continuity of Values: Liberty and Self-Reliance

Despite the stark difference in the public profiles of Thomas Massie's two wives—the pioneering homemaker and the seasoned political staffer—a core thread of conservative, libertarian values runs through both chapters of his life. Rhonda Massie’s life on the farm was a physical manifestation of these values: self-sufficiency, minimal dependence on external systems, and personal freedom.

Carolyn Grace Moffa’s background as a staffer for Rand Paul, a figure synonymous with libertarian and limited-government principles, suggests a shared political and philosophical alignment. This common ground is likely to be the foundation of their new partnership, supporting Massie's continued work as a prominent figure in the Republican Party and one of Congress’s most outspoken critics of federal overreach and the national debt. The Massie family’s journey—through loss, mourning, and a new beginning—remains a compelling narrative of personal conviction intersecting with the demands of public life.