Childhood and Education Journey of Mark Kelly in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 7, 2026

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 U.S. Navy officer. Before entering politics, he gained prominence as a NASA astronaut, participating in four spaceflights. His career reflects a blend of military service, space exploration, and political engagement.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1962: First Democrat Senator

In 2020, Mark Kelly became the first Democrat to win the Arizona Senate seat since 1962.

February 21, 1964: Mark Kelly Born

Mark Kelly was born on February 21, 1964, 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 US 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 honors in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

January 7, 1989: Kelly married 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: Kelly met Gabby Giffords on a trip to 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: Kelly divorced Amelia Victoria Babis

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

November 10, 2007: Kelly married Gabby Giffords

On November 10, 2007, Mark Kelly married U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords in Tucson, Arizona.

October 7, 2010: Scott Kelly Went to ISS

On October 7, 2010, Scott Kelly went to the ISS. The potential rendezvous in space of the Kelly brothers would have been a first meeting of blood relatives in space. The delay of STS-134's launch ended that possibility.

January 8, 2011: Gabby Giffords shot in assassination attempt

On January 8, 2011, Gabby Giffords, Mark Kelly's wife, was shot in an assassination attempt in Tucson, which resulted in six deaths and brought national attention to Kelly. On February 4, he described January as the hardest time of his life.

January 12, 2011: Memorial Service for Shooting Victims Held

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 was present, sitting between First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

January 2011: Wife Shot in Assassination Attempt

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

February 3, 2011: Kelly Spoke at National Prayer Breakfast

On February 3, 2011, Mark Kelly spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., discussing how the attack on his wife brought him closer to God and prayer. His remarks closed the event, where President Obama also spoke.

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

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

June 21, 2011: Announced Retirement from Navy and NASA

On June 21, 2011, Kelly announced his retirement from both the Navy and NASA, effective October 1. He cited Gabby Giffords's needs during her recovery from the attempt on her life that January as the reason.

June 24, 2011: Message from ISS to Wife

On June 24, 2011, a recorded message by 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, Kelly and Giffords coauthored "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience", providing biographical information and detailing the assassination attempt on Giffords.

2011: Kelly Became Advocate for Gun Control After Shooting of Gabby Giffords

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

January 2013: Started Americans for Responsible Solutions

In January 2013, Kelly and Giffords started the nonprofit political action committee Americans for Responsible Solutions to promote solutions to gun violence.

2013: Founded Americans for Responsible Solutions

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

2015: Kelly appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy!

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

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2016: Americans for Responsible Solutions Merged with Law Center

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