Patti Blagojvich returned home after an early morning interview where the former first lady of Illinois announced she will be a contestant on a reality TV show. She says she's doing it for the money.
"In this terrible economic time, I do feel the need go to work and help support my family...so yes that is the primary need to do the show," said Patti Blagojevich.
The NBC show 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' originally courted the former governor and had him shoot promotions for the show.
The show will be shot in Costa Rica.
Due to the pending charges against him, a judge would not allow Rod Blagojevich to leave the country.
On the Today show the couple explained they had an obligation to the network and to their family.
"Both of us have our responsibilities to raise our children and try to keep our family in tact. We've had a unique opportunity that most people in America don't get," said Patti Blagojevich.
"I don't feel like I'm a celebrity. They wanted my husband to do the show when he couldn't do it they expressed interest in me doing it," she said. "People do stupid things when they're in front of cameras that come back to haunt them years later."
Law professor Richard Kling spoke with ABC7's Stacy Baca about the possibly legal consequences. He says problems could arise if legal action is taken against Patti Blagojevich.
"If it's the governors case I don't think it will have any impact whatsoever. If she's eventually charged it may have some impact on her case. If she says things on camera that are impeachable or inconsistent with whatever her defense is," said Professor Richard Kling, Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Most Americans only heard of Patti Blagojevich for her foul mouthed comments prosecutors say were caught on a federal surveillance wiretap.
"I don't think those characterizations were fair at all and I do look forward to people getting to know me because that's what they'll see on the show," said Patti Blagojevich.
The show premieres June 1. There's no word on when Patti Blagojevich would leave to start shooting the show.
