Sarah Palin was impossible to miss in 2008, when John McCain plucked the little-known Alaska governor onto the national stage. A “force of nature,” she mixed folksy confidence with scrappy charm—then returned to a quieter life that, in recent years, has made headlines more for heartbreak than politics.

Born in Idaho and raised in Wasilla, Alaska, Palin was a basketball standout before marrying her high-school sweetheart, Todd Palin, in 1988. With little money, they eloped at the courthouse, borrowing witnesses from a retirement home. Together, they built a bustling family—Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig—and a life steeped in Alaska’s rugged rhythm. Palin worked as a TV reporter, helped run the family fishing business, and rose swiftly in politics, becoming Alaska’s youngest and first female governor in 2006.

Todd, a champion snowmobile racer known as the “First Dude,” stayed grounded as her fame grew. When McCain named her his running mate, he took over at home as their family faced intense national scrutiny.

Outwardly, their marriage looked solid; privately, it was unraveling. In 2019, just after their 31st anniversary, Palin learned via email that Todd was filing for divorce. He cited incompatibility; she wanted to fight for counseling. Their split was finalized in March 2020.

The breakup was painful, but Palin has found steadier ground. She now shares her life with former NHL star Ron Duguay and has reentered politics, still carrying that unmistakable grit—and the resilience that defined her rise.