Sarah Palin became a household name in 2008 when John McCain selected the then–Alaska governor as his running mate, instantly pushing her from relative obscurity into national politics. Known for her confident, plain-spoken style, she stood out as a dynamic and unconventional figure. After the election, she eventually stepped away from Washington’s spotlight, but her personal life continued to draw attention as she navigated both triumphs and painful challenges.

Raised in Wasilla, Alaska, Palin grew up surrounded by sports, faith, and the rugged outdoors. She met her future husband, Todd, during high-school basketball, and the two eloped in 1988 with a simple courthouse ceremony. Together, they built a large family and a busy life, balancing commercial fishing, parenting, and Palin’s rapid rise in public service. When she became Alaska’s youngest governor in 2006, Todd supported her behind the scenes while continuing his demanding work and competitive snowmobile racing.

Their marriage, admired by many from afar, later revealed strains that had built over time. In 2019, Palin said she was blindsided when she learned that Todd had filed for divorce shortly after their 31st anniversary. Despite hoping to repair the relationship, the divorce was finalized in March 2020, marking a difficult and emotional turning point in her life.

Since then, Palin has focused on rebuilding with resilience, staying active in public life and finding support in new relationships, including a companionship that grew unexpectedly from friendship. Though her path has included highly public setbacks, she continues to move forward, committed to family, faith, and the determination that has shaped her story from the beginning.