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Mitt Romney, a Harvard graduate, spent 25 years in the private sector earning hundreds of millions of dollars before entering politics.
His political career has been tumultuous. He became the Massachusetts Governor, and Utah's senator, but he also lost two presidential races, in 2008 and 2012.
In February 2020, he voted to convict President Donald Trump at the end of the Senate's impeachment trial. It was the first time a senator had ever voted against a same-party president.
Mitt Romney has had his fair share of highs and lows.
After 25 years in the private sector, earning hundreds of millions of dollars, he followed in his father's footsteps and entered politics. He lost the first time, and vowed to never run again unless he thought he had a chance.
He later became the Massachusetts Governor. He also lost two presidential races, in 2008 and 2012.
Over his career, one of his biggest challenges was shifting from local to national politics. In moving to the national stage, he changed his position on subjects like abortion and gun control, which led to some labeling him a "flip-flopper."
When he lost his second presidential bid in 2012, pundits declared his time in politics over. He, too, worried he would be a "loser for life." But they were all wrong. He returned to politics in 2018, being elected to the Senate from Utah.
Since his return, he's been something of a President Donald Trump dissident — especially regarding the president's behavior. But it went up a notch in February, when he voted to convict Trump at the end of the Senate's impeachment trial.
It was the first time a senator had ever voted against a same-party president.
Here's his life so far, in photos.
Willard Mitt Romney was born on March 12, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the fourth child of George and Lenore Romney, and something of a surprise. Lenore took about a year to recover from the birth, and in that time he and George grew close.
Mitt Romney in a family archive photo with his father in 1947
Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis / Getty
He was raised in a disciplined house in Bloomfield Hills where chores were done, and summer jobs were worked. His early ambition wasn't politics, but cars. His father was the head of American Motors, and Romney told The American Spectator, "I hoped to be head of Ford or American Motors or General Motors."
Mitt Romney in an archive family photo in a Nash automobile, 1957
Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis / Getty
He also wasn't too athletic. However, one memorable event from his schooling was a track race in his last year. He needed to finish the race for his team to won, but he collapsed near the end. His team mates tried to help him, but he pushed them away, and managed to make it on his own, finishing to a standing ovation.
Low-angle view of American businessman and politician George W. Romney (1907 - 1995) and his son, future businessman and politician Mitt Romney, as they play golf, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 1958.
Grey Villet/The LIFE Picture Collection / Getty
Romney was still at school when his father entered politics. George was a moderate Republican. He was also popular for a time. In ninth grade, George was on the cover of Time. He would end up serving as the governor of Michigan, and the secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Richard Nixon.
George Romney and his son, Mitt, look out over the New York World's Fair grounds from the heliport in May 1964.
AP
He went to Stanford University in 1965. During the year, he protested to support the drafting for the Vietnam War, showing his conservative politics. He left after a year to go to Paris. He would ultimately graduate valedictorian, from Brigham Young University with a B.A. in English.
Romney, 14, gives his father George Romney a hug at a Detroit News conference February 10, 1962.
AP
In the late 1960s, he spent nearly three years as a Mormon missionary in France, returning in 1969. He's a sixth generation Mormon. During his time, he read a book called "Think and Grow Rich," a 1937 book all about how to succeed, focusing on persistence and being organized.
George Romney, his wife Lenore, daughter Lynn, and son Mitt walk along a street at the World's Fair en route to the General Motors Pavilion in New York in 1964.
AP
In 1975, he went to Harvard law and business school. He wanted to study business, but his father wanted him to do law, so he did both. He graduated in the top 5% of his business class, and cum laude in law.
Mitt Romney in an archive family photo with his father George (C) and his brother Scott in 1965, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis / Getty
In 1975, Romney started a career in management consulting and private equity. After several years at a Boston consulting firm, he jumped ship to Bain & Company. Founder Bill Bain said that when Romney started at his firm, "he had the appearance of confidence of a guy who was maybe 10 years older."
The firm was known as the KGB of management consulting, according to The New Yorker. No one had business cards, and they spoke in code in public. Romney's talent at management was noted, and he rose through the ranks, then branched out to create an investment group within Bain. Right away, he was pledged $12 million.
Mitt Romney, Chief Executive of Bain Capital.
David L Ryan/The Boston Globe / Getty
Romney's division was responsible for investing and growing businesses like Domino's, Brookstone, and Duane Reade. According to New York, Romney was responsible for pioneering the "business takeover," but Romney was a cautious leader, and many remembered him literately sweating intensely.
Mitt Romney wipes sweat from his face in 2012.
Justin Sullivan/Getty
In 1981, he also had a run-in with the law. He was arrested after launching his boat into a lake, when the license wasn't visible enough. He was handcuffed at the time, but a few days later the charges were dropped.
By 1994, he was estimated to be worth several hundred million. He told The New Republic he left business for politics because it was in the "family gene." He said,
"There's something in the Romney makeup that longs to be able to make a difference, to make a contribution. ... There's almost an obligation to step forward."
Romney shakes the hand of a commuter while campaigning at North Station in Boston, Nov. 7, 1994.
Jim Rogash/AP
In 1994, he challenged Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy for his seat in Massachusetts. It's a typically Democratic state, and was going to be tough to win. According to The New Yorker, he positioned himself as a moderate conservative. For instance, he tried to argue he was a stronger gay rights advocate than Kennedy.
Mitt Romney is all set to go against Senator Ted Kennedy in 1994.
Janet Knott/The Boston Globe / Getty
Romney led the polls for a brief moment, but Kennedy used abortion as a key issue, with a catchy quote, "He's not pro-choice, he's not anti-choice, he's multiple choice." Romney lost the race.
Mitt Romney makes a point to Senator Ted Kennedy during a debate.
Jim Davis/The Boston Globe / Getty
Although he hadn't expected to win, the loss struck a nerve. He told his brother that he would never do another campaign unless he thought he could win. He returned to the private sector. All up, he would spend 25 years working in business.
Electoral Debate between Democrat candidate Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy and Republican one Mitt Romney.
Ira Wyman/Sygma / Getty
In 1999, Romney returned to public service to head the struggling Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games in Utah. When he took over, he had to deal with a bribery scandal, as well as a massive deficit in funding — about $387 million.
Romney announces there are 70,000 additional tickets available for purchase for the 2002 Winter Games during a news conference in Salt Lake City.
Douglas C. Pizac/AP
He helped turn the organization around by cutting costs and getting more money from the federal government. He used his success as proof of his leadership abilities while running for political office.
International Olympic Committee president Dr. Jacques Rogge (left) and Romney speak during the Opening Ceremony of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in Utah.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty
As governor of a mostly left-leaning state, Romney projected himself as a moderate Republican. During his tenure, in contrast to his Mormon religion, he was against taxing cigarettes, and made alcohol easier to sell.
New York Gov. George Pataki, left, dons a Boston Red Sox jersey to settle a bet with Romney in 2004.
Gregory Bull/AP
In 2004, signs of bigger ambitions appeared. Stem cell research was the subject. He had changed long-held views about it, and he went public by calling The New York Times, rather than contacting someone local.
Gov. Mitt Romney speaks outside of his office at the State House, concerning stem cell research.
Bill Greene/The Boston Globe / Getty
In 2006, Romney signed a health reform bill into law. So-called "Romneycare" required Massachusetts residents to either buy a plan or pay a fine. The law became a source of controversy during the 2012 election amid President Barack Obama's attempts to implement the Affordable Care Act, which included a similar individual mandate provision.
Romney signs a healthcare reform bill for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Faneuil Hall in Boston April 12, 2006.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
In 2008, Romney ran for president. Moving from state to national politics, especially from Massachusetts, a liberal state, to presenting himself as a conservative force wasn't easy for Romney. He was accused of being a "flip-flopper," on issues like abortion and gun control.
He lost to John McCain during the Republican primaries. He said he was dropping out in February to unify the Republicans, and to ensure the Iraq war continued. "Because I love America, in this time of war, I feel I have to stand aside for our party and our country," he said.
Republican presidential candidate, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Charles Ommanney/Getty
This time around Romney had trouble connecting with voters. Many viewed him as elitist and privileged because of his work in private equity and decades in politics. During the campaign, a video leaked of Romney calling 47% of American voters "entitled" and "dependent upon the government," further damaging his image.
During his campaign, he kept pushing to the right, focusing on conservative positions. At one point he said, instead of closing Guantanamo Bay down it should be twice as big.
Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, speaks at the podium as he concedes the presidency during Mitt Romney's campaign election night event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on November 7, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty
But the infamous '47% comment' plagued Romney's campaign. Obama handily won reelection.
Mitt Romney and his wife Ann with Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan (R) and his wife Janna acknowledge the audience after Romney delivered his concession speech.
Rick Wilking/Reuters
After the election, Romney kept a low profile. He told The New York Times he expected to be a "loser for life." In 2014, on a Netflix documentary about his presidential campaigns, he explained the hopelessness, when he said, "Mike Dukakis can't get a job mowing lawns."
Mitt Romney in 2014.
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal / Getty
As the 2016 presidential election approached, rumors swirled that Romney was considering a third run for higher office. Everything changed when Donald Trump announced his candidacy.
During the 2016 campaign, Romney slammed Trump, calling him a "phony," "fraud," "con man," and "fake."
In a speech at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on March 3, 2016, Romney criticizes Trump.
Jim Urquhart/Reuters
But Romney dialed back his anti-Trump rhetoric after Trump won the election. During the presidential transition, Romney had a private dinner with Trump, fueling speculation that he might be appointed to a position as secretary of state.
President-elect Donald Trump and Mitt Romney dine at Jean Georges restaurant, November 29, 2016 in New York City.
Drew Angerer/Getty
After Sen. Orin Hatch of Utah announced he would retire at the end of his term, rumors indicated that Romney was considering a run for the US senate seat. He later said he hadn't been interested in the business world, and his wife wanted him to run. She convinced him it wasn't a downgrade from running for president.
In November 2018, Romney won the race to be Utah's senator. Before the took position, there was already an expectation he would be a dissenting voice in the Senate, against Trump.
Mitt Romney and his wife Ann talks to his supporters after he won the Utah Senate seat, at his campaign headquarters at an election night party on November 6, 2018 in Orem, Utah.
George Frey/Getty
In January 2019, before he was sworn in, he published an opinion piece in the Washington Post. He wrote that Trump hadn't been his choice for president and that it was "evident that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office."
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is endorsed by Donald Trump at the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada February 2, 2012.
REUTERS/Steve Marcus
As the year continued, he had a new role in politics, according to The New York Times, "a hybrid role of sober statesman and maverick in a party struggling to reconcile the oft-irreconcilable impulses of its leader." Romney criticized the president for his behavior more than his policies.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney welcomes attendees to a lunch meeting of the Republican Governors Association Tuesday, June 27, 2006, in Boston.
Julie Malakie/AP
In February 2020, Romney showed he wasn't afraid to break ranks with the party. He was one of two Republicans to vote for the Senate to bring in witnesses. The vote was defeated by his party.
Senator Mitt Romney in January 2020.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post / Getty
He made history later that week when he voted to convict President Donald Trump. He was instantly criticized for his position. But as he told his former strategist Stuart Stevens, "The worst thing that could happen to anyone in politics has already happened to me. I lost the presidency."
Sen. Mitt Romney departs from the Capitol after the Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020.
Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call / Getty
Romney is now alone in the Republican Party. It's hard to say how long the effects of his vote will last. But he's been in politics long enough to know what he was getting into.
Sen. Mitt Romney on February 4, 2020.
Patrick Semansky / AP
