Sarah Palin, the former Governor of Alaska, became a household name during John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. Although she didn’t win, Palin was described as a “force of nature” in Republican politics. Since then, headlines have focused more on her personal life. In 2020, after three decades of marriage, Palin and her husband announced their divorce. Let’s take a closer look at their relationship and how Palin is moving forward.

Sarah Palin and Todd: A Love Story

Sarah Palin was born in Idaho in 1964, but she moved to Alaska as a baby. Growing up in the small town of Wasilla, Palin became a basketball star and a natural-born leader. It was during high school that she met her future husband, Todd Palin, at a basketball game. The two eloped in August 1988, as they couldn’t afford a wedding. They convinced witnesses from the pioneers’ home across the street, and finally tied the knot.

The couple has five children together, including Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig, who has Down Syndrome. Palin’s love for sports is evident in her children’s names. For example, Willow is named after the legendary sports journalist Willow Bay, and Bristol is named after the town where ESPN is based.

Political Aspirations

Palin, a registered Republican since 1982, had a varied career before entering politics in 1992. She worked as a journalist and helped run Todd’s family’s commercial fishing business. In 2006, she made history as the first woman and youngest governor of Alaska. Throughout her political career, Todd was a supportive husband who referred to himself as the “First Dude.” However, he preferred to avoid the limelight.