Sarah Louise Heath was born on February 11, 1964, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Chuck Heath and Sally Heath. She spent her childhood in Alaska, where she received a bachelor's degree from the University of Idaho.
Before entering politics, Sarah Palin worked as a television sportscaster in Anchorage, Alaska. She began her political career in 1992 as a city council member in Wasilla, Alaska, and later became the mayor of Wasilla, serving two three-year terms. In 1996, she was appointed to the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission.
In 2006, Palin made history by becoming the first woman to be elected as the governor of Alaska. She was later selected by Republican presidential candidate John McCain to be his vice presidential running mate in the 2008 election. Although the McCain/Palin ticket was defeated, Palin remained in the public eye by writing books, including her memoir "Going Rogue: An American Life", and endorsing other candidates.
Palin also appeared on television as a political commentator on Fox News Channel and hosted the reality television series "Sarah Palin's Alaska" on the TLC network and "Amazing America with Sarah Palin" on Sportsman Channel. In 2022, she attempted to return to elected office by running for Alaska's at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, but lost to Mary Peltola.
Sarah Palin was married to Todd Palin from 1988 to 2020 and has five children with him.
