Childhood and Education Journey of Mike Pompeo in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Mike Pompeo. A timeline of key moments.

Michael Richard Pompeo is an American politician, attorney, diplomat, and former U.S. Army officer. He served as the Director of the CIA from 2017 to 2018 and as the 70th U.S. Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Prior to his roles in the Trump administration, Pompeo was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.

Sections (5)

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

1900: Pompeo's great-grandmother emigrated to the United States

In 1900, Adelina Tollis, Mike Pompeo's paternal great-grandmother, emigrated from Italy to the United States.

December 30, 1963: Mike Pompeo Born

On December 30, 1963, Michael Richard Pompeo was born. He is an American politician, attorney, diplomat, and former U.S. Army officer.

1982: Graduated from Los Amigos High School

In 1982, Mike Pompeo graduated from Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley, California.

1986: Graduated from West Point

In 1986, Mike Pompeo graduated first in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

1986: Graduation from United States Military Academy

In 1986, Mike Pompeo graduated from the United States Military Academy.

1986: Marriage to Leslie Libert

In 1986, Pompeo married Leslie Libert; they later divorced.

1994: Earned Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School

In 1994, Mike Pompeo earned a juris doctor from Harvard Law School.

2000: Marriage to Susan Justice Mostrous

In 2000, Pompeo married Susan Justice Mostrous and formally adopted her son, Nicholas.

2007: Local Church Deacon

From 2007 to 2009, Pompeo served as a local church deacon.

2009: End of term as Local Church Deacon

Pompeo's time as a local church deacon ended in 2009, after serving since 2007.

2011: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2011, Mike Pompeo began his service in the United States House of Representatives.

2014: Jesus Christ as the only solution

In 2014, Pompeo told a church group that Christians needed to "know that Jesus Christ as our savior is truly the only solution for our world".

2015: Politics is a never-ending struggle

In 2015, Pompeo said in a talk at a church that "politics is a never-ending struggle ... until the Rapture."

2020: Killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani

The assassination plot against Pompeo in 2022 was reportedly part of a broader Iranian campaign to target former senior U.S. officials involved in the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

January 2022: Weight Loss Claim

In January 2022, Pompeo claimed in an interview with Fox News that he had lost over 90 lb (41 kg) in the prior six months through self-guided exercises and dietary changes. However, experts were skeptical of this claim.

2022: Iranian Assassination Plot Against Pompeo in Paris

In 2022, Iranian operatives nearly assassinated Mike Pompeo during his visit to Paris, according to a report in The Washington Post. The operation was part of a broader Iranian campaign to target former senior U.S. officials involved in the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

2024: Trump said he would "not be inviting Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley to join" his next administration.

After Trump's victory in the 2024 election, he declared in an Instagram post that he would "not be inviting Mike Pompeo and Nikki Haley to join" his next administration.

February 2025: Pompeo Hired by Columbia University

In February 2025, Mike Pompeo was hired by Columbia University as a distinguished fellow at its Institute of Global Politics to teach a course on diplomacy, decision-making, and organizational leadership. Pompeo believed that Columbia University hired him to provide a different view than most of the faculty.

June 2025: Reported Iranian Assassination Plot

In June 2025, The Washington Post reported, citing intelligence sources, that Iranian operatives came close to assassinating Pompeo during his visit to Paris in 2022. The operation was reportedly part of a broader Iranian campaign to target former senior U.S. officials involved in the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. The plot ultimately failed, but Iranian agents came alarmingly close to executing the plan.