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. Prior to this, he was the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, earning him the moniker "Mayor Pete." A member of the Democratic Party, Buttigieg is a prominent figure in American politics.

Sections (6)

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

January 19, 1982: Birth of Pete Buttigieg

On January 19, 1982, Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg was born. He is an American politician and former naval officer who served as the 19th United States secretary of transportation.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Selection as Delegate to US 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 Profiles in Courage Essay Contest

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

2002: Internship for Jill Long Thompson

In 2002, Pete Buttigieg interned for Democrat Jill Long Thompson during her unsuccessful congressional bid.

2004: Graduation from Harvard

In 2004, Pete Buttigieg graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in history and literature and was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

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.

September 2009: Joined U.S. Navy Reserve

In September 2009, Pete Buttigieg joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and was sworn in as an ensign in naval intelligence.

May 3, 2011: Won Primary Election for South Bend Mayor

On May 3, 2011, Pete Buttigieg won his primary election against four opponents for mayor of South Bend.

November 2011: Elected Mayor of South Bend

In November 2011, Pete Buttigieg was elected mayor of South Bend.

January 2012: Took Office as Mayor of South Bend

In January 2012, Pete Buttigieg took office as mayor of South Bend at the age of 29.

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.

2013: Launching of a 3-1-1 system

In 2013, Buttigieg's administration oversaw the city's launching of a 3-1-1 system.

February 2014: Deputy Mayor served as executive

From February 2014, Deputy Mayor Mark Neal, South Bend's city comptroller, served as executive.

September 23, 2014: Return to the United States

Pete Buttigieg returned to the United States on September 23, 2014, after serving for seven months in Afghanistan.

October 2014: Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor

In October 2014, Pete Buttigieg returned to his role as mayor.

2014: Deployment to Afghanistan

In 2014, Pete Buttigieg took a seven-month leave during his mayoral term to deploy to Afghanistan.

May 2015: Unveiling of "River Lights" Installation

In May 2015, the "River Lights" installation was unveiled as part of South Bend's 150th anniversary celebrations. The project cost $700,000, which was raised from private funds.

June 2015: Coming Out as Gay

In June 2015, Buttigieg publicly came out as gay in an article in the South Bend Tribune, becoming the first openly gay elected executive in Indiana. 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: Meeting Chasten Glezman

In August 2015, Pete Buttigieg met Chasten Glezman on the dating app Hinge.

November 2015: "Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative" Reached Goal

In November 2015, the "Vacant and Abandoned Properties Initiative" (1,000 Properties in 1,000 Days) reached its goal two months before its scheduled end date.

2015: Buttigieg comes out as gay

In 2015, Pete Buttigieg came out as gay while serving as mayor of South Bend.

2015: Emergence as Opponent of Indiana Senate Bill 101

In 2015, during the controversy over Indiana Senate Bill 101, Pete Buttigieg emerged as a leading opponent of the legislation and came out as gay amid his reelection campaign.

December 14, 2017: Engagement Announcement

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

2017: Left U.S. Navy Reserve

In 2017, Pete Buttigieg left the U.S. Navy Reserve.

June 2018: Marriage to Chasten Glezman

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

June 16, 2018: Marriage to Chasten Glezman

On June 16, 2018, Pete 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: Withdrawal from Presidential Race

On March 1, 2020, Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

June 8, 2020: Hired by University of Notre Dame

On June 8, 2020, the University of Notre Dame announced that it had hired Pete Buttigieg as a teacher and researcher for the 2020–21 academic year.

December 2020: Nomination as Secretary of Transportation

In December 2020, President-elect Biden named Pete Buttigieg as his nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

February 2, 2021: Confirmation as Secretary of Transportation

On February 2, 2021, Pete Buttigieg's nomination as Secretary of Transportation was confirmed, making him the first openly gay Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.

August 17, 2021: Announcement of Becoming Parents

On August 17, 2021, Buttigieg announced that he and his husband, Chasten, 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

After taking paid parental leave since mid-August 2021, in October 2021, Buttigieg ramped up his activities, making many media appearances after conservatives criticized him for taking paternity leave.

July 2022: 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.

January 2025: Appointment as Fellow at University of Chicago

In late January 2025, Buttigieg was announced as a fellow at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics for the Winter and Spring quarters, delivering seminars once a week.

April 2025: End of University of Chicago Fellowship

In early April 2025, Buttigieg concluded his fellowship at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, where he delivered weekly seminars since January 2025.