ERATH - Former Gov. Edwin Edwards surprised his wife and the audience when he announced parent plans during a speech here.

Edwards, who will be 85 on Aug. 7, told those attending the Order of Living Legends function at the Acadian Museum, that he and wife Trina will be trying to have a baby, starting in October, the first public announcement of their plans.

“We have decided we will have a child,” said Edwards. “I know it sounds impossible, but it is something I want to do. Trina said, ‘I do not know how long you will be alive, so I would like to have something to remember you by.’ I know what we are doing is something rare. I would like everyone to accept it.”

Trina, 32, verified what he said was true. What she did not expect was for him to announce it Saturday in Erath.

“I did not know he would be saying it tonight,” said Trina.

She said they will use artificial insemination as the means of getting pregnant.

According Edwin Edwards, they already have the names of their child selected. If it is a boy, his name will be Gabriel. If it is a girl, she will be named Evangeline.

Edwards has four children from his first wife, Elaine, who he was married to for 40 years. They divorced in 1989. Trina is his third wife. He married her in July of 2011.

He is Louisiana’s only four-term governor (1972–1980, 1984–1988 and 1992–1996).