Sarah Palin rose to prominence during John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, capturing attention as his running mate despite their eventual defeat to Barack Obama.
Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1964, she moved to Alaska as an infant and grew up in Wasilla, where she excelled as a basketball star in high school. Her leadership skills and athletic prowess set her apart, and she met Todd Palin, her future husband, at a basketball game.