Early Life and Education of Mike Pence: A Complete Timeline

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

Michael Richard Pence is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A Republican, he was the 50th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he served as a U.S. Representative for Indiana from 2001 to 2013.

Sections (6)

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

1953: Father Received Bronze Star

In 1953, Pence's father received the Bronze Star while serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

June 7, 1959: Birth of Michael Richard Pence

On June 7, 1959, Michael Richard Pence was born. He is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 48th vice president of the United States.

1976: Volunteered for Democratic Party

In 1976, Pence volunteered for the Bartholomew County Democratic Party.

1977: Graduated from High School

In 1977, Pence graduated from Columbus North High School.

1978: Commitment to Christ

In the spring of 1978, at a Christian music festival in Asbury, Kentucky, Pence made a "commitment to Christ."

1980: Voted for Jimmy Carter

In 1980, Pence voted for Jimmy Carter in the presidential election.

1981: Earned Bachelor of Arts

In 1981, Pence earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hanover College.

1985: Marriage to Karen Batten

In 1985, Mike Pence married Karen (née Batten) after meeting her while he was in law school at Indiana University.

1986: Earned Juris Doctor

In 1986, Pence earned a Juris Doctor from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

1988: Death of Pence's Father

In 1988, Pence's father passed away, leaving his mother a widow with four adult children and two teenagers.

1994: Identified as Catholic

In 1994, Pence called himself Catholic in a news piece.

1995: Joined Evangelical Megachurch

By 1995, Pence and his family had joined an evangelical megachurch, the Grace Evangelical Church.

2000: Al Gore presided over his own defeat

In 2000, Al Gore presided over his own defeat. Pence was inspired by Al Gore presiding over his own defeat twenty years earlier during the 2000 presidential election, when Pence was a newly-elected member of Congress.

2002: Dinner Alone Policy

During an interview in 2002, Pence stated that he would not have dinner alone with a woman other than his wife.

2002: Belief in Intelligent Design

In 2002, Pence stated on the House of Representatives floor that he believes that only the theory of intelligent design provides a rational explanation for the known universe.

May 1, 2004: Mother's Remarriage

On May 1, 2004, Pence's mother remarried to Basil Coolidge Fritsch.

2009: Belief in Creation

In 2009, when asked if he believed in evolution, Pence stated that he believes that God created the heavens and the earth.

2013: Pence had not owned a residence in Indiana since 2013

As of January 20, 2021, Pence had not owned a residence in Indiana since 2013, having lived in the governor's mansion and then the vice president's residence in Washington.

2013: Searching for a Church

In 2013, Pence said his family was "kind of looking for a church".

2016: Diagnosis of Left Bundle Branch Block

In 2016, Mike Pence was diagnosed with asymptomatic left bundle branch block.

2016: Regular Worship at College Park Church

In 2016, Pence and his wife regularly worshiped at College Park Church, a nondenominational church in Indianapolis.

May 2017: Pence Forms Great America Committee PAC

In May 2017, Mike Pence filed paperwork to create the Great America Committee, a political action committee (PAC), while still in office as Vice President.

October 8, 2017: Pence Walks Out of NFL Game After Anthem Protest

On October 8, 2017, Mike Pence walked out of an Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers NFL game after 49ers players knelt during the national anthem. He stated this was out of respect for soldiers, the flag, and the anthem, sparking criticism and accusations of a publicity stunt. The cost of his travel on Air Force Two to the game on October 8, 2017, was estimated at $242,500.

February 1, 2018: Pence to Lead Delegation to 2018 Winter Olympics

On February 1, 2018, it was announced that Mike Pence would lead the presidential delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics alongside his wife.

October 2018: Pence's Speech on China at the Hudson Institute

In October 2018, Mike Pence delivered a speech at the Hudson Institute, accusing China of predatory economic practices, military aggression, election meddling, surveillance, and debt-trap diplomacy, which was described as signaling a new Cold War.

2018: Brother's Congressional Win

In 2018, Pence's older brother, Greg, won the political race to represent Indiana's 6th congressional district.

February 28, 2019: Joe Biden Refers to Pence as a "decent guy"

On February 28, 2019, Joe Biden referred to Mike Pence as a "decent guy" in a speech, which later led to criticism due to Pence's alleged anti-LGBT positions.

June 2019: Suggestion to Replace Pence as Trump's Running Mate

In June 2019, Andrew Stein suggested that Trump could improve his re-election chances by replacing Mike Pence as his running mate with Nikki Haley, but Trump stated that Pence would remain his running mate.

September 1, 2019: Pence Meets with Zelensky in Poland Amid Aid Delay

On September 1, 2019, Mike Pence met with Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, in Poland during a delay in U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Pence stated that he raised issues of Ukrainian corruption with Zelensky.

September 2019: Pence's Stay at Trump's Resort in Doonbeg During Official Ireland Visit

In September 2019, while attending official meetings in Dublin, Ireland with the Irish prime minister, Mike Pence stayed at President Trump's resort in Doonbeg, which is 180 miles (290 km) away, incurring significant transportation costs.

January 2020: Pence Defends Trump's Decision to Assassinate Soleimani

In January 2020, Mike Pence defended President Trump's decision to assassinate Qasem Soleimani, promoting conspiracy theories linking al-Qaeda to Iran and claiming Soleimani was responsible for killing thousands of Americans, assertions that drew criticism and were deemed unsubstantiated by experts.

February 2020: Pence Defends Debt- and Deficit-Spending

In February 2020, Mike Pence defended debt- and deficit-spending as a measure to stimulate economic growth.

February 26, 2020: Pence Named Leader of White House Coronavirus Task Force

On February 26, 2020, President Trump appointed Mike Pence to lead the White House Coronavirus Task Force to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.

April 2020: Pence Exempts Himself from Mayo Clinic Mask Policy

In April 2020, Mike Pence visited the Mayo Clinic and did not wear a face mask, despite the hospital's policy, stating he needed to look staff "in the eye". This action led to criticism for promoting irresponsible public health messaging.

June 2020: Pence Makes Misleading Claims About Coronavirus Pandemic

In late June 2020, Mike Pence gave an optimistic press briefing where he made several misleading and false claims about the state of the coronavirus pandemic, including arguing that surges in cases were the result of increased testing and falsely claiming that fatalities were declining all across the country.

October 7, 2020: Pence Participates in Debate with Kamala Harris

On October 7, 2020, Mike Pence participated in a debate with Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City, Utah. The debate included plexiglass partitions and mask requirements due to COVID-19 concerns. A CNN poll indicated that 59% of registered voters believed Harris won the debate, compared to 38% for Pence. During the debate on October 7, 2020, a fly landed on Pence's head for almost two minutes.

November 7, 2020: Biden and Harris declared winners of the 2020 election

On November 7, 2020, major news networks declared Biden and Harris the winners of the election, leading to Trump's refusal to concede and insistence that he had won.

2020: Pence Implies Wrongful Death of Officer During Riots

During the 2020 Republican convention, Mike Pence inaccurately implied that a federal security officer was killed by rioters, when in fact the perpetrator was linked to the far-right Boogaloo movement.

2020: Pence distances himself from Trump's election claims

Since leaving the vice presidency, Pence distanced himself from Trump's attempts to cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election and made high-profile speeches in early nominating states.

January 20, 2021: Pence leaves office, succeeded by Kamala Harris

On January 20, 2021, Pence left office as Vice President, succeeded by Kamala Harris. He did not have a permanent residence in Indiana at the time.

April 2021: Pacemaker Implant Surgery

In April 2021, Pence underwent surgery for a pacemaker implant due to a slow heartbeat.

May 2021: Pences buy a home in Carmel, Indiana

In May 2021, after months of staying at residences owned by Indiana Republican politicians, the Pences bought a home in Carmel, Indiana.

2021: Polls suggest Pence could be a top-tier presidential candidate

In 2021, polls of Republicans suggested Pence could be a top-tier candidate in 2024 if Trump didn't run, but his numbers would decline if Trump did run.

2021: Pence releases statement on parental rights through Advancing American Freedom

In 2021, the same day as the subpoena was reported, Pence released a statement through Advancing American Freedom expressing support for "parental rights".

May 2022: Pence considering presidential run

In May 2022, The New York Times reported that Pence was considering a presidential run regardless of whether Trump decided to run for a second term.

June 2022: Pence comments on the overturning of Roe v. Wade

In June 2022, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Pence stated that it had been consigned to the "ash heap of history" and called for the restoration of the sanctity of life in American law.

October 2022: Pence condemns populism and Putin apologists in the Republican Party

In October 2022, Pence publicly condemned "unprincipled populism" and "Putin apologists" within the Republican Party.

2022: Pence endorses candidates against Trump's choices in Republican primaries

In 2022, Pence separated himself from Trump by endorsing candidates in several Republican primary elections in opposition to the candidate endorsed by Trump.

April 27, 2023: Pence testifies before grand jury

On April 27, 2023, after challenges to the subpoena, Pence testified before the grand jury, stating he would obey the law and tell the truth.

2023: Pence criticizes Trump's actions on January 6, 2021

In 2023, Pence criticized former President Donald Trump, especially regarding the events that took place on January 6, 2021, stating that Trump was wrong to suggest that Pence had a right to overturn the election results.

March 15, 2024: Pence announces he will not endorse Trump or Biden

On March 15, 2024, Pence announced that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Biden in the 2024 presidential election.

August 9, 2024: Pence reiterates he will not endorse Trump or Harris

On August 9, 2024, Pence reiterated that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Kamala Harris after Biden withdrew from the race.

September 2024: Pence begins teaching at Grove City College

In September 2024, Pence began teaching political science courses at Grove City College in Pennsylvania as its Distinguished Fellow for Faith and Public Life.

October 2024: Pence supports acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel

In October 2024, Pence said he supported the acquisition of U.S. Steel by the Japanese company Nippon Steel, arguing it would prevent reliance on steel exports from China.

2024: Pence condemns GOP stance on abortion

In 2024, ahead of the RNC, Pence released a statement condemning the new GOP stance on abortion, arguing that it strips away "historic pro-life principles".

2024: Pence 'dead in the early waters of 2024'

In 2024, there was a widespread view among both Republican leaders and grassroots Republicans that "Pence is dead in the early waters of 2024."

January 2025: Biden blocks the purchase of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel

In January 2025, President Biden blocked the purchase of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel. President Trump approved a modified purchase plan after returning to office.

January 16, 2025: Pence urges support for Taiwan in Taipei speech

On January 16, 2025, speaking in Taipei, Pence urged President-elect Trump to avert a nuclear arms race by continuing to support an independent Taiwan.