Their love story began simply. They eloped at a courthouse in 1988 because they couldn’t afford a wedding, borrowing two witnesses from a senior home across the street. Todd worked tough jobs — oil fields, commercial fishing, racing in the brutal Iron Dog snowmobile competition — while Sarah worked as a news reporter, then entered politics and became Alaska’s youngest governor. When McCain put her on the Republican ticket, Todd stepped up even more at home, shielding the kids as the country dissected their lives under an unforgiving spotlight. Through pregnancies, scandals, long winters, and national pressure, their marriage appeared to hold, strengthened by decades of partnership.
But behind closed doors, things were far more fragile. In 2019, just days after their 31st wedding anniversary, Sarah received an email from an attorney notifying her that Todd was filing for divorce. No warning. No conversation. Just an email. She later admitted the moment felt like being “shot.” She wanted counseling, reconciliation — a chance to fight for the covenant she believed marriage to be. Todd cited incompatibility. After months of emotional upheaval, their divorce was finalized on March 23, 2020. For Sarah, the heartbreak didn’t fade quickly. She said the shock still stings, even now, and that she and Todd keep communication limited to matters concerning their youngest son, Trig. Todd has since moved on with a partner living in the Lower 48, building a new life far from Wasilla.Continue reading…
