Early Life and Education of Pete Buttigieg: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Pete Buttigieg, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Pete Buttigieg is an American politician and former naval officer. He served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Before that, he was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, gaining the moniker "Mayor Pete." A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics, known for his relatively young age and his focus on infrastructure and policy.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

January 19, 1982: Pete Buttigieg's birth

On January 19, 1982, Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg was born. He later became a politician, naval officer, and the United States Secretary of Transportation.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Delegate to United States Senate Youth Program

In 2000, Pete Buttigieg was selected as a delegate from Indiana to the United States Senate Youth Program.

2000: First Prize in Essay Contest

In 2000, Pete Buttigieg won first prize in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum's Profiles in Courage essay contest. The subject was Bernie Sanders.

2002: Investigative Internship

In 2002, before graduating from college, Pete Buttigieg was an investigative intern at WMAQ-TV, Chicago's NBC News affiliate. He also interned for Democrat Jill Long Thompson.

2004: Graduation from Harvard

In 2004, Pete Buttigieg graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, where he majored in history and literature.

2007: Received Bachelor of Arts degree from Oxford

In 2007, Pete Buttigieg received a Bachelor of Arts degree with first-class honours in philosophy, politics, and economics from Pembroke College, Oxford.

2013: Performance with South Bend Symphony Orchestra

In 2013, Buttigieg performed as a guest piano soloist with Ben Folds and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

June 2015: Coming out as gay

In June 2015, Buttigieg publicly came out as gay in a piece in the South Bend Tribune, becoming Indiana's first openly gay elected executive. He was the first elected official in Indiana to come out while in office and the highest elected official in Indiana to come out.

August 2015: Started dating Chasten Glezman

In August 2015, Buttigieg began dating Chasten Glezman after meeting on the dating app Hinge.

2015: Came Out as Gay

In 2015, amid his reelection campaign, Pete Buttigieg came out as gay during the controversy over Indiana Senate Bill 101.

December 14, 2017: Engagement to Chasten Glezman

On December 14, 2017, Buttigieg announced his engagement to Chasten Glezman in a Facebook post.

June 2018: Marriage to Chasten Glezman

In June 2018, Pete Buttigieg married Chasten Glezman, a schoolteacher and writer.

June 16, 2018: Marriage to Chasten Glezman

On June 16, 2018, Buttigieg married Chasten Glezman in a private ceremony at the Cathedral of St. James, making Buttigieg the first mayor of South Bend to get married while in office.

April 14, 2019: Launch of Presidential Campaign

On April 14, 2019, Pete Buttigieg launched his campaign for the 2020 presidential election, becoming the first openly gay man to launch a Democratic presidential campaign.

March 1, 2020: Dropping out of Presidential Race

On March 1, 2020, Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the presidential race.

August 2021: Parental Leave

Starting in mid-August 2021, Buttigieg took a paid parental leave after the birth of his twins. He was mostly offline for a month, except for major agency decisions, before ramping up activities.

August 17, 2021: Announcement of becoming a parent

On August 17, 2021, Buttigieg announced that he and his husband had become parents.

September 4, 2021: Adoption of twins

On September 4, 2021, Buttigieg elaborated that he and his husband had adopted two newborn fraternal twins.

October 2021: Return from Parental Leave

In early October 2021, Buttigieg increased his activities after taking parental leave since mid-August 2021. He made many media appearances, following a month where he was mostly offline except for major agency decisions.

July 2022: Established permanent residence in Michigan

In July 2022, Buttigieg established his permanent residence in Traverse City, Michigan, which is Chasten's hometown, and registered to vote in Michigan.