More about Karen Sorbo

Born and raised: Delano.

Age: 52.

Lives: In a cozy cottage in Hopkins.

Family: Husband of three years Francelino Zau, a jewelry designer. Children Matthew, 28, and daughter Sunny, 26, from first marriage to actuary Allen Sorbo, brother of native Minnesotan Kevin Sorbo of "Hercules" fame. The two were divorced in 2000 after 19 years.

Childhood illness: At age 10, Sorbo contracted rheumatic fever, which turned into kidney diseases; a biopsy paralyzed her for three months.

Education: Graduated from Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis. Studied at Azusa Pacific University, a Christian school near Los Angeles, on a music scholarship.

Career: She went to auctioneers' school in 1993 with her father and brother because they planned to open an antique consignment house. Then she decided to become an auctioneer full-time.

Most money raised: $3 million for a Boston museum. Locally, $1.2 million for Children's Hospital.

Motto: "If you make the people who give $25 feel just as special as those who gave $25,000, you'll have work the next day."