Francesca Hong, a prominent Wisconsin politician and the first Asian American elected to the state’s legislature, carries a personal story rooted in immigration, education, and resilience. Born on November 4, 1988, in Madison, Wisconsin, she represents a second-generation American experience shaped by her family’s journey from South Korea to the American Midwest.
Her parents, Jinkuk Hong and Youngjoo Hong, arrived in the United States in 1987 so that her father could pursue a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. They settled in the Eagle Heights community near campus, where Youngjoo cared for Francesca and her younger sister while supporting the family. The couple became U.S. citizens in 2009 and have remained active voters ever since. Jinkuk later worked as a researcher, while Youngjoo returned to school, earned a degree in music education, taught public school music for more than a decade, and later completed a master’s in vocal performance.
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Family Roots and Parental Influence
Hong has often described herself as the proud daughter of Korean immigrants who sacrificed proximity to their own relatives and culture to build a life in Wisconsin. Her mother initially focused on raising the children and neighborhood kids before advancing her education and career in teaching and music; she continues to perform and direct music programs. Her father’s academic path brought the family to Madison, where the local Korean Catholic community provided early support with practical matters of settling in a new country.
These experiences instilled in Hong a strong work ethic and appreciation for community that later influenced her own path from restaurant kitchens to public office. She has one sibling, a younger sister named Theresa (now Theresa Lindenbaum), who is married with a son. Hong herself is a mother to one son, George, and was previously married to Matt Morris.
Ethnicity, Nationality, and Sense of Origin
Ethnically, Francesca Hong is Korean American. Her Korean name is Hong Yunjeong (홍윤정). She was born a U.S. citizen in Madison and has lived there her entire life, attending local public schools including Madison West High School. While her parents’ origins lie in South Korea, Hong identifies firmly as American and a second-generation Wisconsinite.
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She has spoken publicly about the pride she feels in her Korean heritage—especially through music, language, and cultural traditions—while emphasizing the opportunities and responsibilities that come with being raised in the United States. This dual sense of belonging has informed her advocacy for Asian American and Pacific Islander visibility, including efforts to include related history in Wisconsin schools.
