Early Life and Education of Tulsi Gabbard: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Tulsi Gabbard. A timeline of key moments.

Tulsi Gabbard is an American politician and U.S. military officer who served as the U.S. Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021 and in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004. Previously a member of the Democratic Party, she became an independent before joining the Republican Party in 2024. She has also served as the eighth director of national intelligence (DNI) since 2025.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

April 12, 1981: Tulsi Gabbard Born

On April 12, 1981, Tulsi Gabbard was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa.

Others born on this day/year

1983: Family Moves Back to Hawaii

In 1983, when Tulsi Gabbard was two years old, her family moved back to Hawaii.

1998: Support for Father's Campaign on Marriage Amendment

In 1998, at the age of 17, Tulsi Gabbard supported her father's successful campaign to amend the Constitution of Hawaii. The amendment aimed to give lawmakers the power to "reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples". She also favored the Federal Marriage Amendment, which sought to prevent overriding state law regarding same-sex marriage.

2001: Father Enters Local Politics

Around 2001, Tulsi Gabbard's father became active in local politics and was elected to the Honolulu City Council.

2002: Elected to Hawaii State Legislature

In 2002, at age 21, Tulsi Gabbard was elected to the Hawaii state legislature, becoming the youngest woman ever elected as a U.S. state representative after dropping out of Leeward Community College.

2002: Gabbard marries Eduardo Tamayo

In 2002, at the age of 21, Tulsi Gabbard married Eduardo Tamayo.

2005: Gabbard serves in Iraq

From 2004 to 2005, Tulsi Gabbard served in Iraq with the National Guard.

2006: Gabbard divorces Eduardo Tamayo

In 2006, Tulsi Gabbard and Eduardo Tamayo divorced, with Gabbard later discussing the stresses war places on military spouses and families.

2006: Father Becomes a Hawaii State Senator

In 2006, Tulsi Gabbard's father became a Hawaii state senator.

March 2007: Graduates from Accelerated Officer Candidate School

In March 2007, Tulsi Gabbard graduated at the top of her class from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy, becoming the first woman ever to do so.

2009: Graduation from Hawaii Pacific University

In 2009, Tulsi Gabbard graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in international business.

2012: Apology for Anti-Gay Advocacy

In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard apologized for her past "anti-gay advocacy" and expressed her commitment to "fight for the repeal" of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

2012: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district, becoming the first Samoan American and Hindu American member of the U.S. Congress.

2013: Signing of Amicus Brief Supporting Gay Marriage

In 2013, Tulsi Gabbard signed an amicus brief supporting gay marriage, which highlighted a shift in her views on LGBTQ+ rights. This action contrasted with her earlier association with her father's campaign against gay marriage.

2013: Gabbard takes oath of office with Bhagavad Gita

In 2013, Tulsi Gabbard took the oath of office using her personal copy of the Bhagavad Gita.

2014: Gabbard presents Bhagavad Gita to Narendra Modi

In 2014, as a Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the United States.

2015: Gabbard marries Abraham Williams

In 2015, Tulsi Gabbard married Abraham Williams in a traditional Vedic Hindu wedding.

2016: Resigns from DNC to Endorse Bernie Sanders

In 2016, Tulsi Gabbard resigned as vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to endorse Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

2017: Endorsement of Keith Ellison for DNC chair

In 2017, Tulsi Gabbard endorsed Keith Ellison for DNC chair.

October 16, 2018: Hawaii Pacific University's Distinguished Alumni

On October 16, 2018, Tulsi Gabbard was honored as Hawaii Pacific University's 2018 Paul T. C. Loo Distinguished Alumni.

February 2019: Official launch of 2020 presidential campaign

In February 2019, Tulsi Gabbard officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign, becoming the first female combat veteran to run for president.

July 2019: Visit to Puerto Rico and participation in protests

In July 2019, Tulsi Gabbard was the only 2020 presidential candidate to visit Puerto Rico and join protests urging Governor Ricardo Rosselló to resign.

July 2020: Meeting with the family of Vanessa Guillén

In July 2020, Tulsi Gabbard met with the family of Vanessa Guillén, a U.S. Army soldier and victim of military sexual harassment who was found murdered after previously being reported missing. Gabbard advocated for reforms to address military sexual harassment.

August 2020: Advocacy for Jennifer Smith

In August 2020, Tulsi Gabbard advocated for Jennifer Smith, a Hawaii Department of Health epidemiologist who reported issues with the state's COVID-19 contact tracing program.

September 2020: Conversion of presidential campaign committee and criticism of Netflix's Cuties

In September 2020, Tulsi Gabbard converted her presidential campaign committee, Tulsi Now, into Tulsi Aloha, a leadership PAC. That same month, she criticized Netflix over the film Cuties, arguing that it contributed to the exploitation of children.

Loading Video...

November 2020: Reinstatement of Jennifer Smith

In November 2020, Jennifer Smith was reinstated. Tulsi Gabbard previously advocated for her after she reported issues with the state's COVID-19 contact tracing program.

2020: Gabbard presents at Island Music Awards 2020

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard was a presenter at iHeartRadio Honolulu's virtual festival, Island Music Awards 2020.

2020: Shift in Political Positions

In 2020, Tulsi Gabbard, while running for president, held liberal domestic policy positions, but later, after 2020, she began to align more with Republican stances on social issues such as abortion, gun control, and transgender rights.

November 2021: Celebration of Glenn Youngkin's victory in Virginia Gubernatorial election

In November 2021, Tulsi Gabbard celebrated the victory of Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin in the Virginia Gubernatorial election.

2021: Takes more conservative positions

After her departure from Congress in 2021, Gabbard adopted more conservative stances on issues such as transgender rights, border security, and foreign policy.

April 2022: Support for Florida's Parental Rights Bill

In April 2022, Tulsi Gabbard expressed support for Florida's Parental Rights Bill, stating it did not go far enough.

October 11, 2022: Announcement of departure from the Democratic Party

On October 11, 2022, Tulsi Gabbard announced on Twitter that she was leaving the Democratic Party, citing disagreement with its leadership.

2022: Departure from Democratic Party

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard left the Democratic Party, becoming independent.

2022: Speaks at CPAC and leaves Democratic Party

In 2022, Tulsi Gabbard spoke at the conservative CPAC conference and left the Democratic Party.

2024: Endorses Donald Trump and joins the Republican Party

In 2024, Tulsi Gabbard endorsed Donald Trump for the presidential election and subsequently joined the Republican Party.

2024: Joins Republican Party

In 2024, Tulsi Gabbard joined the Republican Party.

2024: Gabbard discusses IVF attempts with Williams

In 2024, Tulsi Gabbard revealed on Meghan McCain's podcast that she and Abraham Williams had undergone several unsuccessful in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in an attempt to start a family.