Early Life and Education of Elizabeth Warren: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Elizabeth Warren. From birth to education, explore key events.

Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician and the senior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts since 2013. As a Democrat with progressive views, her senatorial work centers on consumer protection, economic equality, and strengthening social safety nets. Prior to her political career, she was a distinguished law professor. Warren was a presidential candidate in the 2020 Democratic primaries, where she finished third.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1911: Father's Birth

In 1911, Donald Jones Herring, Elizabeth Warren's father, was born.

1912: Mother's Birth

In 1912, Pauline Louise (née Reed), Elizabeth Warren's mother, was born.

1912: Site of Bread and Roses Strike

The entry mentions the 1912 Bread and Roses strike, although it does not describe events from that specific date. In February 9, 2019, Warren officially announced her candidacy at a rally in Lawrence, Massachusetts, at the site of the 1912 Bread and Roses strike.

June 22, 1949: Birth in Oklahoma City

On June 22, 1949, Elizabeth Ann Herring, now known as Elizabeth Warren, was born in Oklahoma City.

June 22, 1949: Elizabeth Warren's Birth

On June 22, 1949, Elizabeth Ann Warren (née Herring) was born. She is an American politician and former law professor.

1968: Left George Washington University

In 1968, Elizabeth Warren left George Washington University after two years to marry James Robert "Jim" Warren.

1970: Graduation from University of Houston

In 1970, Elizabeth Warren graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology and audiology.

1976: Juris Doctor and Bar Examination

In 1976, Elizabeth Warren received her Juris Doctor and passed the bar examination.

1976: Voted for Gerald Ford

In 1976, Elizabeth Warren voted for Gerald Ford in the presidential election.

1978: Divorce from First Husband

In 1978, Elizabeth Warren divorced her first husband.

July 12, 1980: Marriage to Bruce H. Mann

On July 12, 1980, Elizabeth Warren married law professor Bruce H. Mann but kept her first husband's surname.

1984: Contributed to Native American Cookbook

In 1984, Elizabeth Warren contributed recipes to a Native American cookbook and identified herself as Cherokee.

1986: Identified as American Indian on State Bar of Texas Form

In 1986, Elizabeth Warren identified her race as "American Indian" on a State Bar of Texas write-in form used for statistical information gathering, but added that there was "no indication it was used for professional advancement".

1991: Registered as Republican

From 1991 to 1996, Elizabeth Warren was registered as a Republican.

1995: Switched to Democratic Party

In 1995, Elizabeth Warren has said that she began to vote Democratic because she no longer believed that the Republicans were the party who best supported markets.

1995: Death of Mother

In 1995, Pauline Louise (née Reed), Elizabeth Warren's mother, passed away.

1996: Registered as Republican

From 1991 to 1996, Elizabeth Warren was registered as a Republican.

1997: Death of Father

In 1997, Donald Jones Herring, Elizabeth Warren's father, passed away.

2011: Commencement Address at Rutgers Law School

In 2011, Elizabeth Warren delivered the commencement address at Rutgers Law School, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and membership in the Order of the Coif, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

September 5, 2012: Speaks at Democratic National Convention

On September 5, 2012, Elizabeth Warren delivered a prime-time speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. During her speech, she portrayed herself as a champion of the middle class, stating the system is rigged against them and criticized Wall Street CEOs.

2012: Native American Heritage Claim

In 2012, Elizabeth Warren stated that "being Native American has been part of my story, I guess, since the day I was born".

October 2013: Encourages Hillary Clinton to run for president

In October 2013, Elizabeth Warren joined 15 women Democratic senators in signing a letter that encouraged Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2016.

June 9, 2016: Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

On June 9, 2016, after the California Democratic primary, Elizabeth Warren formally endorsed Hillary Clinton for President.

October 2018: Release of DNA Test Analysis

In October 2018, Elizabeth Warren released an analysis of a DNA test by geneticist Carlos D. Bustamante that found her ancestry to be mostly European but "strongly support[ed] the existence of an unadmixed Native American ancestor".

January 2019: Warren Addressed DNA Testing Concerns in Iowa

During a January 2019 public appearance in Sioux City, Iowa, Elizabeth Warren responded to concerns about her DNA testing and its impact on tribal sovereignty.

February 9, 2019: Presidential Candidacy Announcement

On February 9, 2019, Elizabeth Warren announced her candidacy in the 2020 United States presidential election.

February 2019: Apologized for Identifying as Native American

In February 2019, Elizabeth Warren apologized for having identified as Native American.

February 2019: Surprise Visit to Native American Conference

In February 2019, Elizabeth Warren received a standing ovation during a surprise visit to a Native American conference.

August 2019: Apology at Native American Forum in Iowa

In August 2019, Elizabeth Warren apologized again before a Native American Forum in Iowa for any confusion or harm caused by her announcement regarding tribal sovereignty and citizenship.

September 2019: Holds Rally in New York City

In September 2019, Elizabeth Warren held a rally at New York City's Washington Square Park that was attended by over 20,000 people. Attendees waited in long lines for selfies with Warren.

2019: Net Worth in 2019

As of 2019, according to Forbes Magazine, Elizabeth Warren's net worth was $12 million.

2019: Comments on Warren's Political Shift

In 2019, comments surfaced from high school friends and colleagues regarding Warren's shift from conservative to progressive political views.

March 5, 2020: Withdrawal from Presidential Race

On March 5, 2020, Elizabeth Warren withdrew from the 2020 United States presidential election after Super Tuesday.

April 23, 2020: Brother's Death from COVID-19

On April 23, 2020, Elizabeth Warren announced on Twitter that her eldest brother, Don Reed Herring, had died of COVID-19 two days earlier.

2020: Presidential Campaign

In 2020, Elizabeth Warren was a candidate in the Democratic Party presidential primaries, ultimately finishing third after Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.

October 1, 2021: Brother John Herring's Death

On October 1, 2021, Elizabeth Warren announced that her brother, John Herring, had died of cancer.

2021: Condemns Capitol Attack

In 2021, Elizabeth Warren was at the Capitol during the attack by Trump supporters. She condemned the events as an "attempted coup" and labeled the perpetrators as "domestic terrorists", later calling for President Trump's removal from office.

2022: Combined Income Reported

For 2022, Elizabeth Warren and her husband reported a combined income of $1 million, with her salary as U.S. Senator accounting for a fifth of that sum.