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 Kelly is an American politician and retired astronaut currently serving as a U.S. Senator for Arizona since 2020. As a member of the Democratic Party, he represents Arizona in the Senate. Prior to his political career, Kelly was a naval officer and a NASA astronaut, having flown four space missions.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

February 21, 1964: Mark Kelly Born

Mark Edward Kelly was born on February 21, 1964, in Orange, New Jersey, to Richard and Patricia Kelly.

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1982: Graduated High School

In 1982, Mark Kelly graduated from Mountain High School.

1982: Entered United States Merchant Marine Academy

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

1986: Graduated from United States Merchant Marine Academy

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

January 7, 1989: Marriage to Amelia Victoria Babis

On January 7, 1989, Mark Kelly married Amelia Victoria Babis.

1994: Attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School

From 1993 to 1994, Mark Kelly attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He received a MSc in aeronautical engineering in 1994.

1994: Received MSc in Aeronautical Engineering

In 1994, Mark Kelly received a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

2003: Meeting Gabby Giffords in China

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

2004: Divorce from Amelia Victoria Babis

In 2004, Mark Kelly divorced Amelia Victoria Babis. They have two daughters, Claudia and Claire Kelly.

November 10, 2007: Marriage to Gabby Giffords

On November 10, 2007, Mark Kelly married U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords in a ceremony presided over by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron.

October 7, 2010: Scott Kelly Went to the ISS

On October 7, 2010, Scott Kelly went to the ISS, but the delay of STS-134's launch ended the possibility of a meeting of blood relatives in space.

January 8, 2011: Assassination Attempt on Gabby Giffords

On January 8, 2011, Gabby Giffords was shot in an assassination attempt that killed six people, bringing national attention to Mark Kelly.

January 12, 2011: Memorial Service for Shooting Victims

On January 12, 2011, a memorial service was held at the University of Arizona for those killed in the assassination attempt on Gabby Giffords. President Obama spoke at the memorial, and Mark Kelly attended, later returning to the hospital to be with his wife.

January 2011: Wife Gabby Giffords Shot

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

February 3, 2011: Speech at National Prayer Breakfast

On February 3, 2011, Mark Kelly spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., where he shared his newfound awareness regarding prayer following the attack on his wife. He mentioned the makeshift memorials in Tucson filled with Bibles and angels and offered a final prayer adapted by Rabbi Stephanie Aaron.

February 4, 2011: Kelly to Remain Commander of Mission

On February 4, 2011, NASA announced that Mark Kelly would remain commander of the STS-134 mission after his wife's shooting, due to her recovery progress.

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

On April 29, 2011, the first launch attempt of STS-134 was scrubbed. Gabby Giffords attended. President Barack Obama also visited Kennedy Space Center.

May 22, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI Calls Endeavour

On May 22, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI called the Space Shuttle Endeavour and extended his blessing to Gabby Giffords, marking the first time a pope spoke to astronauts during a mission.

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" at the Glastonbury festival.

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

In 2011, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords co-authored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience", detailing their biographical information and the assassination attempt on Giffords.

Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience

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2011: Advocacy for Gun Control After Wife's Shooting

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

2013: Founded Americans for Responsible Solutions

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

2015: Appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy!

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

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August 25, 2018: John McCain's Death

On August 25, 2018, John McCain died, leading to a vacancy in Arizona's U.S. Senate seat.

2020: Kelly runs as a moderate

In 2020, Mark Kelly ran as a moderate candidate, voicing support for bipartisanship.

2020: Kelly's stance on abortion

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