Sarah Palin was an inescapable figure in the media during John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Selected as McCain’s running mate while serving as Alaska’s governor, Palin quickly became a prominent force in Republican politics, despite the campaign’s eventual loss to Barack Obama.
Now 58, Palin remains politically active within the Republican Party, although recent headlines have largely focused on her personal life. In 2020, after 30 years of marriage, she announced her divorce from her husband, Todd, an event that shocked many who viewed their marriage as stable and enduring. Palin has since spoken more openly about the split, revealing the heartache of learning about the divorce through an email.
Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1964, Palin moved to Alaska with her family as a baby and grew up in Wasilla, a small town near Anchorage. Known for her leadership, she was a basketball star in high school, where she also met her future husband, Todd Palin. The two eloped in 1988, sharing a close bond and raising five children together, each with names reflecting Palin’s love of sports and Alaskan culture.
During her time in public office, Palin’s “hockey mom” persona endeared her to many. She made history as Alaska’s first female governor in 2006, while Todd, an oil worker and snowmobile racing champion, proudly took on the nickname “First Dude.” Their family faced public scrutiny, particularly in 2008 when Palin announced that her teenage daughter Bristol was pregnant.
However, after 31 years of marriage, Todd filed for divorce in 2019, citing incompatibility. Palin expressed deep pain over the separation, describing it as one of the hardest experiences of her life. Although she tried to reconcile, the divorce was finalized in 2020. Since then, Palin has found a new partner, former New York Rangers player Ron Duguay, who has been supportive of her current political pursuits as she runs for Alaska’s congressional seat.
Through all the challenges, Palin remains focused on her family and future, finding new strength and stability in her relationship with Duguay as she embarks on the next chapter of her life.
