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 19th U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Prior to that, he was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020, earning him the moniker "Mayor Pete." He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Sections (6)

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

January 19, 1982: Buttigieg's Birth

On January 19, 1982, Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg was born.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Delegate to the United States Senate Youth Program

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

2000: Awarded 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 for his essay on Bernie Sanders.

2002: Internship with Jill Long Thompson

In 2002, before graduating college, 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, becoming a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

2007: Receives Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oxford

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

September 2009: Sworn in as ensign in naval intelligence

In September 2009, Pete Buttigieg joined the U.S. Navy Reserve through the direct commission officer (DCO) program and was sworn in as an ensign in naval intelligence.

2013: Performed with South Bend Symphony Orchestra

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

September 23, 2014: Return to the United States

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

2014: Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow

Buttigieg was selected as a 2014 Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.

2014: Deployment to Afghanistan

In 2014, Pete Buttigieg took a seven-month leave during his mayoral term to deploy to Afghanistan as part of the U.S. Navy Reserve.

June 2015: Came 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.

August 2015: Started dating Chasten Glezman

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

2015: Came Out as Gay

In 2015, amid controversy over Indiana Senate Bill 101, Pete Buttigieg came out as gay and expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

March 2017: Defended DACA and Criticized Deportation Policies

In March 2017, Buttigieg defended Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and criticized the Trump administration's deportation policies. He wrote an article defending an Indiana resident who was deported after living in the U.S. for 17 years.

December 14, 2017: Announced engagement to Chasten Glezman

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

2017: Leaves the 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, a schoolteacher and writer.

June 16, 2018: Married Chasten Glezman

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

2018: Favored Medicare for All

In 2018, Buttigieg expressed his support for Medicare for All.

January 2019: Criticized Trump's troop deployment

In January 2019, Buttigieg criticized Trump's decision to send American troops to the Southern border, calling it "reckless".

April 14, 2019: Presidential Campaign Launch

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

August 2019: Released mental health care plan

In August 2019, Buttigieg introduced a $300 billion plan aimed at expanding mental health care services and combating addiction.

March 1, 2020: Drops out of Presidential Race

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

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.

August 2021: Parental Leave

In mid-August 2021, Buttigieg commenced a period of paid parental leave, largely remaining offline except for critical agency decisions, following the birth of his twins.

August 17, 2021: Announced becoming parents

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

September 4, 2021: Adopted newborn twins

On September 4, 2021, it was revealed that Buttigieg and his husband adopted two newborn fraternal twins.

October 2021: Return from Parental Leave

In early October 2021, Buttigieg ramped up his activities after his parental leave, making many media appearances.

July 2022: Established permanent residence in Traverse City, Michigan

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

February 3, 2023: East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment

On February 3, 2023, a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, carrying hazardous materials. Emergency crews conducted a controlled burn, releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air.

April 2025: Fellow at the University of Chicago

From February to April 2025, Buttigieg served as a fellow at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, delivering a seminar on campus every week, with April 2025 being the last month of his fellowship.