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 currently serving as a U.S. Senator for Arizona since 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, Kelly is also a retired astronaut and former naval officer. His career encompasses service in the military, space exploration with NASA, and now political representation at the federal level.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

February 21, 1964: Mark Kelly Born

On February 21, 1964, Mark Edward Kelly was born in Orange, New Jersey.

Others born on this day/year

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 BSc 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.

1994: Received MSc in Aeronautical Engineering

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

2003: Meeting Gabby Giffords in China

In 2003, Mark Kelly met Gabby Giffords during a trade mission to China 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 had 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 Tucson, 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. There was a potential plan for Mark Kelly to meet him in space, but it was later canceled.

January 8, 2011: Attempted assassination of Gabby Giffords

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

January 12, 2011: Memorial service for Tucson 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, where Mark Kelly was present.

January 2011: Wife Shot in Arizona

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

February 3, 2011: Remarks at National Prayer Breakfast

On February 3, 2011, Mark Kelly spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., sharing how the attack on his wife brought him closer to God and increased his awareness of prayer.

February 4, 2011: Kelly to Remain Commander of Mission

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

April 29, 2011: STS-134 Launch Scrubbed

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

May 22, 2011: Call to Endeavour by Pope Benedict XVI

On May 22, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI called the Endeavour, extending 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, Mark Kelly, from the ISS, wished his wife love using lyrics from David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and introduced U2's song "Beautiful Day" at the Glastonbury festival.

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2011: Coauthored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience"

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

Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience

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2011: Advocacy for gun control

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.

2012: Published Mousetronaut

In 2012, Mark Kelly's children's book "Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story," illustrated by C. F. Payne, became a New York Times bestseller.

Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story (The Mousetronaut Series)

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January 2013: Started Americans for Responsible Solutions

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

March 31, 2013: Kelly's Statement on Universal Background Checks

On March 31, 2013, Mark Kelly stated that "any bill that does not include a universal background check is a mistake," advocating for common-sense measures to prevent criminals and the mentally ill from accessing weapons.

2013: Founded Americans for Responsible Solutions

In 2013, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords founded a nonprofit political action committee called Americans for Responsible Solutions, which later merged into Giffords, campaigning for gun control measures.

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

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

Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence

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2015: Co-Wrote Astrotwins: Project Blastoff

In 2015, Mark Kelly and Martha Freeman co-wrote "Astrotwins: Project Blastoff", a fictional story about twins who build a space capsule.

Astrotwins -- Project Blastoff

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2015: Appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy!

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

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2016: ARS Merged with Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

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

2016: Published Astrotwins—Project Rescue

In 2016, Mark Kelly and Martha Freeman published the sequel to their first book, titled, "Astrotwins—Project Rescue".

Astrotwins -- Project Rescue

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February 12, 2019: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate

On February 12, 2019, Mark Kelly announced his candidacy for Arizona's Class 3 U.S. Senate seat in the 2020 special election.

2019: Kelly Left World View

In 2019, Mark Kelly left World View Enterprises before starting his Senate campaign.

August 4, 2020: Won Democratic Primary

On August 4, 2020, Mark Kelly won the Democratic primary for Arizona's U.S. Senate seat.

November 4, 2020: Associated Press called the race for Kelly

On November 4, 2020, The Associated Press called the race for Kelly. His election marks the first time since 1953 that Arizona has had two Democratic senators.

2020: Kelly becomes Senator of Arizona

In 2020, Mark Kelly became the senior United States senator from Arizona, a seat he has held since then.

2020: Ran as a Democrat in the 2020 U.S. Senate special election in Arizona

In 2020, Mark Kelly ran as a Democrat in the 2020 U.S. Senate special election in Arizona.

2020: Kelly supports pro-choice

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

January 3, 2021: Other senators and representatives elected in 2020 took office

On January 3, 2021, other senators and representatives elected in 2020 took office.

2021: Kelly Held World View Stocks

As of 2021, Mark Kelly held over $100,000 of World View stocks through a blind trust.

2022: Elected to Full Senate Term

In 2022, Mark Kelly was elected to a full term in office, defeating Republican challenger Blake Masters.

2024: Consideration for Vice Presidential Nomination

In 2024, Mark Kelly was reportedly one of the leading contenders for the Democratic vice presidential nomination, though Kamala Harris ultimately chose Tim Walz.