Who Is Todd Palin, Ex-Husband of Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin?

Then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, far right, with her family at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 3, 2008. AP Photo/Ron Edmonds

Todd and Sarah Palin share five children: Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, and Trig, whom Todd has asked for shared custody, according to the divorce filing.

Source: NBC News

In this June 8, 2009, file photo, Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd Palin arrive at a Republican congressional fundraiser in Washington. Court documents appear to show that the husband of former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is seeking a divorce. The papers, which provide only initials, were filed Friday by T.M.P. against S.L.P. Todd Palin's middle name is Mitchell and Sarah Palin's middle name is Louise. The documents say the couple married Aug. 29, 1988 — the same as the Palins. Birthdates for the two also correspond. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) Associated Press

While Todd Palin, known informally as the "first dude," did not regularly appear in headlines as much as his wife, he still played a role in her political career when she served as governor of Alaska. Emails obtained by NBC News showed that he regularly communicated with other Alaskan political figures on government affairs.

Sarah Palin became governor of Alaska in 2006 and resigned before the end of her four-year term in 2009, following her time as presidential running mate for the late Sen. John McCain in 2008.

When asked if Todd helps his wife Sarah with her speeches, Jim Palin, Todd's father, told Newsweek in a 2011 interview that "he helps her prepare, but he doesn't critique."

Todd Palin holds his daughter Piper and then-Gov. Sarah Palin, right, talks to a friend during the start of the 2007 Iron Dog snowmachine race. AP Photo/Al Grillo

Todd Palin was known for his prowess on a snowmobile after winning Alaska's Iron Dog snowmobile race four times, Newsweek reported. His wife Sarah even made a bid for him to get his own reality TV show showcasing his passion.

However, in one of the few times he made headlines, Todd sustained "broken and fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, a broken shoulder blade, a broken clavicle, and leg injuries" in a snowmobile accident in 2016, NBC News reported.

Read more: Sarah Palin cancels appearance at Trump event after husband injured in 'very serious' snowmobile crash

Track Palin sits with Willow and Trig Palin at the 2008 Republican National Convention. Getty/Justin Sullivan

In December 2017, Sarah and Todd's eldest son, Track Palin, was accused of breaking into his parents' home. Track was also accused with assaulting his father when Todd confronted him with a gun, leaving Todd with bleeding cuts on his head, The Washington Post reported.

Track pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in veteran's court, NBC News reported.

Sarah Palin posted a picture of her husband on Instagram a few weeks after the attack.

Trailering snowmachines to trailhead for trek out to the cabin... perfect way to usher in the new year! May 2018 be a year of breakthrough, joy & victory for all!

A post shared by Sarah Palin (@sarahpalin97) on Dec 31, 2017 at 2:58pm PSTDec 31, 2017 at 2:58pm PST

Vice-presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and husband Todd Palin walk out on stage during the election night rally at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa on November 4, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. David McNew/Getty Images

Todd Palin filed for divorce from his wife in September 2019. The divorce was finalized in 2020, putting an end to more than 30 years of marriage. 

The complaint cites divorce on the basis of "incompatibility of temperament" and that "they find it impossible to live together as husband and wife," NBC News reported.

The divorce complaint filed at the Anchorage Superior Court only uses initials instead of full names  — SLP (Sarah Louise Palin) and TMP (Todd Mitchell Palin). Details from the filing include dates of birth that match the profiles of both Sarah and Todd, as well as information corresponding to the Palin family as a whole, such as number of children.