Childhood and Education Journey of Mark Kelly in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Mark Kelly. A timeline of key moments.

Mark Edward Kelly is an American politician, retired astronaut, and naval officer. Currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Arizona since 2020, he is a member of the Democratic Party. His background as an astronaut distinguishes him within the political landscape.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

February 21, 1964: Mark Kelly Born

On February 21, 1964, Mark Edward Kelly was born. He is now an American politician, retired astronaut, and naval officer.

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1982: Graduated from High School

In 1982, Mark Kelly graduated from Mountain High School.

1982: Entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy

Mark Kelly entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy in the summer of 1982.

1986: Graduated from United States Merchant Marine Academy

In 1986, Mark Kelly graduated with highest honors in a marine engineering and nautical science BSc from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

January 7, 1989: Kelly Marries Amelia Victoria Babis

On January 7, 1989, Mark Kelly married Amelia Victoria Babis. They later divorced in 2004 and have two daughters, Claudia and Claire Kelly.

1994: Attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School

From 1993 to 1994, Mark Kelly attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. After the Gulf War, Kelly received his master's degree and then attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

1994: Received MSc in Aeronautical Engineering

In 1994, Mark Kelly received a MSc in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

2003: Kelly and Giffords Meet in China

In 2003, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords met during a trade mission to China sponsored by the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations.

2004: Kelly Divorces Amelia Victoria Babis

In 2004, Mark Kelly divorced Amelia Victoria Babis, whom he married on January 7, 1989. They have two daughters, Claudia and Claire Kelly.

November 10, 2007: Kelly Marries Gabby Giffords

On November 10, 2007, Mark Kelly married U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords in Tucson, Arizona, in a ceremony officiated by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron. Attendees included his STS-124 shuttle crew and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.

October 7, 2010: Scott Kelly Went to ISS

On October 7, 2010, Scott Kelly went to the ISS, and STS-134 was scheduled to go to the station during his mission.

January 8, 2011: Giffords Shot in Assassination Attempt

On January 8, 2011, Gabby Giffords was shot in an assassination attempt that resulted in six fatalities. Mark Kelly described the subsequent month as the most difficult of his life, expressing gratitude for the widespread support and prayers for his wife's recovery.

January 12, 2011: Memorial Service Held for Shooting Victims

On January 12, 2011, a memorial service was held at the University of Arizona to honor those killed in the assassination attempt on Gabby Giffords. President Obama attended and spoke at the memorial, with Mark Kelly seated between First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. Following the service, Obama consoled Kelly, who then returned to the hospital to be with his wife.

January 2011: Wife Shot in Assassination Attempt

In January 2011, Kelly's wife, Gabby Giffords, who was then an Arizona Representative, was shot and nearly killed in an assassination attempt in Arizona.

February 3, 2011: Kelly Speaks at National Prayer Breakfast

On February 3, 2011, Mark Kelly spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., where President Obama also delivered remarks. Kelly shared that the attack on his wife had deepened his faith and awareness of prayer. He reflected on finding makeshift memorials with Bibles and angels in Tucson, where he felt a renewed sense of spirituality. Kelly concluded the event with a prayer adapted by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron from a traditional bedtime prayer, which Rabbi Aaron had also recited over Giffords on the night of the shooting.

April 29, 2011: First Launch Attempt of STS-134 Scrubbed

On April 29, 2011, the first launch attempt of STS-134 was scrubbed. Kelly's wife, Gabby Giffords, traveled to Florida for the launch, marking her first trip since moving from Tucson to Houston in January after an attempted assassination. President Barack Obama also visited the Kennedy Space Center.

June 21, 2011: Announced Retirement from Navy and NASA

On June 21, 2011, Mark Kelly announced his retirement from both the Navy and NASA, effective October 1, citing Gabby Giffords's needs during her recovery.

June 24, 2011: Message from ISS at Glastonbury Festival

On June 24, 2011, a recorded message by Mark Kelly from the ISS wished his wife love using song lyrics from David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and introduced U2's song "Beautiful Day" on the first night of the Glastonbury festival in England.

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2011: Co-Authored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience"

In 2011, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords coauthored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience," providing biographical information and detailing the assassination attempt on Giffords and her recovery.

Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience

Check it on Amazon

2011: Kelly Advocates for Gun Control

In 2011, Mark Kelly became an outspoken advocate for gun control following the attempted assassination of his wife, former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, during the Tucson mass shooting.

January 2013: Started Americans for Responsible Solutions

In January 2013, weeks after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords started a nonprofit political action committee, Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS), to promote solutions to gun violence.

March 31, 2013: Spoke About Universal Background Checks

On March 31, 2013, Mark Kelly stated that "any bill that does not include a universal background check is a mistake" regarding gun control.

2013: Founded Americans for Responsible Solutions

In 2013, Kelly and Giffords founded Americans for Responsible Solutions, a nonprofit political action committee, which campaigned for gun control measures.

2014: Coauthored "Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence"

In 2014, Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly coauthored "Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence."

Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence

Check it on Amazon

2015: Kelly Appears on Celebrity Jeopardy!

In 2015, Mark Kelly appeared on an episode of "Celebrity Jeopardy!".

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2016: Chinese Company Invested in World View

Between 2013 and 2016, Chinese company Tencent invested millions into World View.

2016: Americans for Responsible Solutions Merged with Law Center

In 2016, Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) merged with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to become Giffords, advocating for background checks and red flag laws.

August 25, 2018: John McCain's Death

The senate seat in Arizona was vacated upon John McCain's death on August 25, 2018.

December 31, 2018: Jon Kyl Resigned

The senate seat in Arizona was held by Governor Doug Ducey's appointee Jon Kyl until Kyl resigned on December 31, 2018.

2020: Kelly Runs as a Moderate

In 2020, Mark Kelly ran as a moderate candidate, emphasizing bipartisanship. Since entering the Senate, he has supported abolishing the filibuster to pass voting rights legislation and raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. He has also criticized President Joe Biden's approach to border security.

2020: Kelly Supports Abortion Rights

In 2020, as a candidate, Mark Kelly expressed his "pro-choice" stance and received endorsement from Planned Parenthood. He supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law and believes late-stage abortions should be legally protected.