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 retired politician prominent for his roles in the Trump administration. He served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2017 to 2018 and later as the 70th United States Secretary of State from 2018 to 2021. Before his executive branch appointments, Pompeo was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Kansas's 4th congressional district from 2011 to 2017.

Sections (5)

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

1900: Great-Grandparent's Emigration

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

December 30, 1963: Mike Pompeo's Birth

On December 30, 1963, Michael Richard Pompeo was born.

1982: High School Graduation

In 1982, Mike Pompeo graduated from Los Amigos High School.

1986: Military Academy Graduation

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

1986: Graduation from United States Military Academy

In 1986, Mike Pompeo graduated from the United States Military Academy and began his five-year service as a United States Army officer.

1986: Pompeo marries Leslie Libert

In 1986, Pompeo married Leslie Libert, whom he later divorced.

1994: Graduated from Harvard Law School

In 1994, Mike Pompeo earned a juris doctor from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review and the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.

1996: Moved to Wichita and Acquired Aircraft-Parts Manufacturers

In 1996, Mike Pompeo moved to Wichita, Kansas, and with friends, acquired several aircraft-parts manufacturers, renaming the entity Thayer Aerospace.

1998: Became an Entrepreneur

In 1998, Mike Pompeo became an entrepreneur in the aerospace and oilfield industries after working as an attorney.

2000: Pompeo marries Susan Justice Mostrous

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

2006: Sold Interest in Aerospace Company

In 2006, Mike Pompeo sold his interest in Nex-Tech Aerospace and became president of Sentry International, an oilfield equipment manufacturer.

2007: Pompeo serves as local church deacon

From 2007 to 2009, Pompeo served as a local church deacon and taught Sunday school.

2009: Pompeo served as a local church deacon

From 2007 to 2009, Pompeo served as a local church deacon and taught Sunday school.

2014: Pompeo shares religious views with church group

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: Pompeo's talk at a church

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

2016: Shift to Trump Supporter

In 2016, Mike Pompeo shifted from being a critic of Donald Trump to becoming a supporter after Trump became the Republican nominee.

January 2022: Pompeo says he lost over 90 lb in six months

In an interview with Fox News in January 2022, Pompeo claimed to have lost over 90 lb in the prior six months through self-guided exercises and dietary changes, a claim met with skepticism by experts.

2024: Pompeo's Book and Presumed Presidential Candidacy

In 2024, Pompeo's book, Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love, was released amid speculations of his candidacy in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. In the book, Pompeo denigrated Jamal Khashoggi, the assassination victim, as an "activist" with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love

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February 2025: Hired by Columbia University

In February 2025, 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.