The Palin family through the years
In little more than a decade, Sarah Palin rose from city councilwoman to Alaska's youngest governor and the first female vice presidential nominee in GOP history. Click through to see headlines made by Palin and her family since they entered the national spotlight.
The Palin family through the years
The Palin family through the years
PETA criticized Sarah Palin in January after she posted this photo of her 6-year-old son, Trig, stepping on a family dog to reach the kitchen sink. "Dear PETA," Palin responded via Facebook. "Chill. At least Trig didn't eat the dog."
The Palin family through the years
Palin takes a jab at President Barack Obama in September, mocking his "coffee cup salute" moment. Obama drew criticism after the White House posted a video to Instagram featuring him walking off Marine One offering a less-than-formal salute with a coffee cup in hand.
The Palin family through the years
Palin shocked both liberal and conservative commentators at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting in April when she said, "Well, if I were in charge, they would know that waterboarding is how we baptize terrorists."
The Palin family through the years
Palin fires up a rally of veterans, their families and supporters at the World War II Memorial in Washington during the partial government shutdown in October 2013.
The Palin family through the years
Wearing a shirt that reads "Women hunt," Palin blasts Obama and gun control advocates for "exploiting" recent mass shootings as she speaks to the National Rifle Association convention in Houston in May 2013.
The Palin family through the years
Palin drinks a "Big Gulp" soda during the Conservative Political Action Conference in March 2013. She was mocking New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's push against large, sugary drinks.
The Palin family through the years
In the middle of the Republican presidential primaries in February 2012, Palin told the Conservative Political Action Conference that the party needs a candidate who "can instinctively turn right" -- a dig at eventual GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
The Palin family through the years
Palin speaks during the Tea Party of America's "Restoring America" event in Iowa in September 2011. Supporters had hoped that she would use the event to announce that she was running for president.
The Palin family through the years
Palin was mobbed in August 2011 at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, a familiar campaign stop for presidential hopefuls.
The Palin family through the years
Palin and Donald Trump walk toward a limo after leaving a dinner meeting in May 2011. It came during the Palin bus tour that fueled speculation she would run for president the next year. She didn't.
The Palin family through the years
Palin signs copies of her second book, "American by Heart," in Andover, Kansas, in November 2010.
The Palin family through the years
The title of Palin's 2009 bestseller "Going Rogue" is a play off a remark a John McCain campaign staffer made to CNN about her straying from the McCain playbook.
The Palin family through the years
Palin and her husband, Todd, join Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and his wife, Cindy, as McCain concedes the presidential race to Obama in November 2008.
The Palin family through the years
Palin and her husband leave City Hall after she voted in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, in November 2008. The Palins then flew to Arizona to join McCain.
The Palin family through the years
McCain stands with his newly announced running mate in August 2008. McCain made the Palin announcement the day after Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.
The Palin family through the years
Palin's family appears on stage after her speech to the Republican National Convention in September 2008. From left to right are her son Track; daughter Bristol; Bristol's then-fiancee, Levi Johnston; daughter Willow; daughter Piper; husband Todd; and son Trig.
The Palin family through the years
Palin signs her oath of office document as Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, left, and Superior Court Judge Niesje Steinkruger look on after her swearing-in ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska, in December 2006.
The Palin family through the years
Palin holds her daughter Piper as she watches results on election night in November 2006. The former mayor of Wasilla became Alaska's first female governor.
The Palin family through the years
Palin stands beside then-Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Sean Parnell in September 2006 as they talk about their plan for a natural gas pipeline during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Parnell became governor when Palin stepped down in 2009.
The Palin family through the years
Palin stands in the rain in Anchorage in August 2006 as she campaigns for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Palin defeated incumbent Frank Murkowski and former state legislator John Binkley.