From Alaska to the National Stage

Sarah Palin became a household name in 2008 when John McCain selected her as his running mate.

The Alaska governor, described as a “force of nature,”

combined folksy confidence with scrappy underdog appeal.

Early Life and Family

Born in Idaho and raised in Wasilla, Alaska, Palin excelled in basketball before marrying high-school sweetheart Todd in 1988.

They built a life and family rooted in Alaska’s rhythm, raising five children while she pursued a career in news,