Todd Palin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Todd Palin
|
|
|---|---|
Palin at the 2010 Time 100 Gala
|
|
| First Gentleman of Alaska | |
| In role December 4, 2006 – July 26, 2009 |
|
| Governor | Sarah Palin |
| Preceded by | Nancy Murkowski (First Lady) |
| Succeeded by | Sandra Parnell (First Lady) |
| First Gentleman of Wasilla | |
| In role October 14, 1996 – October 14, 2002 |
|
| Mayor | Sarah Palin |
| Preceded by | Karen Marie (First Lady) |
| Succeeded by | David Keller |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Todd Mitchell Palin
September 6, 1964 Dillingham, Alaska, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations |
Alaska Independence (1995–2002) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including Bristol |
| Residences | Wasilla, Alaska, U.S. |
| Occupation | Oil field production worker Commercial fisherman Snowmachine racer |
Todd Mitchell Palin, born on September 6, 1964, is an American businessman. He was known as the First Gentleman of Alaska from 2006 to 2009. He was married to Sarah Palin, who was the governor of Alaska during that time.
Contents
Early Life and Alaskan Roots
Palin grew up in Dillingham, Alaska. His family has different backgrounds, including Yup'ik, Dutch, and English heritage. His grandmother, Lena Andree, spoke both English and Yup'ik. Todd grew up in a community called Tuklung, which is now no longer inhabited.
He graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982. This is the same high school his former wife and their two oldest children attended. He also took some college classes.
His Work and Jobs
Todd Palin has had several interesting jobs. For 18 years, he worked for a company called BP in the North Slope oil fields of Alaska. He was a production supervisor, helping to manage the oil production.
Later, he took a break from his job to avoid any problems, since his wife was the governor and her office was involved in talks with his employer. He returned to work seven months later in a different role to help his family. He eventually left his job in 2009 to spend more time with his family.
Besides working in the oil fields, Todd is also a commercial salmon fisherman. He fishes for salmon in Bristol Bay on the Nushugak River.
Public Life and Community Work
As the First Gentleman of Alaska, Todd Palin was sometimes called the "first dude." He held this role for about two and a half years. He encouraged young people in Alaska to consider jobs in the oil and gas industry if they couldn't afford college. He also advised the governor on how to help people get trained for jobs related to the natural gas pipeline.
Todd Palin was also a community volunteer. He coached hockey and basketball for young people. In 2008, he was a judge for the Miss Alaska pageant.
In August 2012, he appeared on an NBC TV show called Stars Earn Stripes. This show featured celebrities competing in challenges.
A famous racehorse named First Dude was named after Todd Palin's nickname. This horse finished second in a big race called the 2010 Preakness Stakes and won another race, the 2011 Hollywood Gold Cup.
Champion Snowmachine Racer
Todd Palin is very well known for his skills in snowmachine racing. He is a four-time champion of the Tesoro Iron Dog race. This is the longest snowmachine race in the world! It follows the path of the famous Iditarod dog sled race and then goes even further to Fairbanks.
He raced in the Tesoro Iron Dog every year from 1993 until at least 2007. He won with his teammate Scott Davis in 2007. He also won in 2000 and 2002 with Dusty Van Meter, and his first win was in 1995 with Dwayne Drake.
In 2008, while trying to win the Tesoro Iron Dog again, he had an accident. He broke his arm about 400 miles (640 km) from the finish line when he was thrown from his snowmachine. Even after being sent to the hospital, he still managed to finish the race in fourth place!
In 2016, he tried for another championship but had to stop the race because his partner's snowmachine had engine trouble. Later that year, in March 2016, Todd Palin was seriously injured in another snowmachine crash. He suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, and a broken collarbone and shoulder blade.
Family Life
In August 1988, Todd Palin married his high school girlfriend, Sarah Heath. They had five children together:
- Track Charles James (born 1989)
- Bristol Sheeran Marie (born 1990)
- Willow Bianca Faye (born 1994)
- Piper Indy Grace (born 2001)
- Trig Paxson Van (born 2008), who has Down syndrome
They also have nine grandchildren.
Todd Palin enjoys fishing and is a licensed private pilot. He even owns his own small airplane, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub.
Todd and Sarah Palin divorced in March 2020.
Images for kids
-
Palin at the 2010 Time 100 Gala
-
Palin in Raleigh, North Carolina
See also
In Spanish: Todd Palin para niños
