Mitt Romney
Born 1947 · Age 78
American businessman and politician; co‑founder of Bain Capital; 70th governor of Massachusetts (2003–2007); Republican nominee for president in 2012; U.S. Senator from Utah (2019–2025).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Willard Mitt Romney born at Harper University Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, youngest of four children of George W. and Lenore Romney.
Family moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Romney family relocated from Detroit to the affluent suburb of Bloomfield Hills; his father later became chairman and CEO of American Motors.
Worked on father’s gubernatorial campaign
Participated in George Romney’s successful 1962 Michigan gubernatorial campaign and later interned in the governor's office.
Graduated Cranbrook School
Completed upper-school education at Cranbrook (class of 1965) and began dating Ann Davies in March of his senior year.
Enrolled at Stanford University
Attended Stanford University for the 1965–1966 academic year before leaving for missionary service.
Began Mormon missionary service in France
Started a ~30‑month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in France; served in Le Havre, Bordeaux and Paris; developed fluency in French.
Car crash during mission in southern France
Sustained serious injuries in an automobile crash that killed one passenger (wife of mission president); afterward helped rally a demoralized mission.
Completed missionary service in France
Returned from France having overseen mission work involving dozens of missionaries and earned a strong affinity for France.
Married Ann Davies
Civil ceremony in Bloomfield Hills (March 21, 1969) followed by LDS temple sealing in Salt Lake City the next day; Ann converted to Mormonism during his mission.
Birth of first son, Taggart Romney
Romneys' first child, Taggart (Tagg), born while Mitt and Ann were undergraduates at BYU.
Graduated Brigham Young University (BA, English)
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from BYU with a reported 3.97 GPA; gave commencement addresses for the College of Humanities and university.
Participated in parents' campaigns
By 1971 had participated in political campaigns of both parents, including working on his mother’s 1970 Senate campaign (visiting all 83 Michigan counties).
Draft lottery number drawn (300) — avoided Vietnam draft
Drew lottery number 300 in the December 1969 draft lottery which ensured he would not be drafted; had earlier received student and ministerial deferments.
Births of additional children (1971–1981)
Romney and Ann grew their family: Matthew (1971), Joshua (1975), Benjamin (1978), Craig (1981). These family milestones influenced Romney’s life choices.
Academic recognition at Harvard Business School
Named a Baker Scholar at HBS (top 5% of the class), an academic award and recognition.
Completed JD–MBA at Harvard; Baker Scholar
Graduated from Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude) and Harvard Business School (MBA), named a Baker Scholar (top 5% in HBS).
Passed Michigan bar; chose business career
Passed Michigan bar exam but opted to enter management consulting rather than practice law.
Joined Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Began career as a management consultant at BCG, applying case-method and strategic frameworks.
Hired by Bain & Company
Joined Bain & Company in Boston, a fast‑growing management consulting firm where he quickly became a top consultant.
Established reputation as top consultant
By late 1970s Romney was regarded internally at Bain & Company as one of the firm's best consultants, often preferred by clients.
Promoted to Vice President at Bain & Company
Named a vice president at Bain & Company and worked with major corporate clients (Monsanto, Corning, Burlington, etc.).
Became bishop in Belmont ward (LDS Church)
Served as bishop of the Belmont, Massachusetts ward from 1981 to 1986, an unpaid but time‑intensive lay clergy role.
Co‑founded Bain Capital; raised $37M
Left Bain & Company to co‑found the private equity firm Bain Capital; partners raised $37,000,000 to start the firm (7 employees); Romney served as president/managing general partner.
Romney initially sole shareholder of Bain Capital
At the launch of Bain Capital Romney was described as the firm's sole shareholder and took primary leadership titles (president/managing general partner).
Shifted Bain Capital strategy to leveraged buyouts
Moved Bain Capital’s investment focus from venture capital toward leveraged buyouts, a change that produced several large returns over time.
Early successful investment: Staples
Bain Capital invested in Staples (1986) and eventually earned nearly a sevenfold return; Romney joined Staples' board for over a decade.
Interim CEO of Bain & Company (turnaround)
Took a two‑year leave to return to Bain & Company as interim CEO (c.1990–1991) and led a successful turnaround of the consulting firm.
Bain Capital expanded portfolio
During the late 1980s and early 1990s Bain Capital invested in dozens of companies (Domino’s, Sealy, Brookstone, Sports Authority, Artisan, etc.).
Resumed role at Bain Capital
After the 1994 Senate loss, Romney returned to Bain Capital and continued to lead investments and strategy.
Republican nominee for U.S. Senate (MA) — lost
Ran as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts and lost to incumbent Ted Kennedy.
Became President & CEO of Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC)
Appointed to lead the Salt Lake Organizing Committee to rescue the scandal‑hit 2002 Winter Olympics; served Feb 12, 1999 – Aug 2002.
Led successful Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
Oversaw the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, erasing a reported $379 million operating deficit, organizing 23,000 volunteers, and achieving a broadly successful games.
Elected Governor of Massachusetts
Elected governor in November 2002, launching a new chapter in public service after business and Olympic leadership.
Appointed to Homeland Security Advisory Committee (approx.)
Reportedly appointed by President George W. Bush to the Homeland Security Advisory Committee while governor; exact appointment date reported by NGA around his governorship.
Presided over elimination of projected state deficit
As governor, helped eliminate a projected $1.2–1.5 billion budget shortfall through spending cuts, fee increases, and closing corporate tax loopholes.
Inaugurated as 70th Governor of Massachusetts
Took office January 2, 2003; Kerry Healey served as lieutenant governor.
Published 'Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games'
Authored a book recounting his experience rescuing the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics.
Declined to seek reelection as governor
Chose not to run for a second term in 2006 to pursue a presidential campaign.
Signed Massachusetts health care reform ('Romneycare')
Signed a landmark state health-care reform providing near‑universal coverage with subsidies and an individual mandate (commonly called ‘Romneycare’).
Filed FEC paperwork for exploratory presidential effort
Filed papers with the Federal Election Commission as an initial step toward seeking the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
Announced 2008 presidential campaign
Officially announced his intention to run for president (2008 Republican primary campaign launch in Dearborn, Michigan).
Reported campaign spending (2008 cycle)
Reports indicate Romney’s 2008 campaign spent roughly $110 million, including approximately $45 million of his own funds.
Suspended 2008 presidential campaign
Suspended his 2008 campaign after disappointing primary and caucus showings; later endorsed John McCain.
Published 'No Apology: The Case for American Greatness'
Released a book laying out his views on domestic and foreign policy and the U.S. economy during the post‑2008 period.
Formed exploratory committee for 2012 presidential run
Announced an exploratory committee in April 2011 ahead of a formal 2012 campaign launch.
Announced 2012 presidential candidacy
Formally announced candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination from a family farm in Stratham, New Hampshire.
Released tax disclosure (two‑year income)
Campaign released documents showing Romney earned $42.7 million over the prior two years and paid $6.2 million in taxes.
Selected Paul Ryan as running mate
Chose Rep. Paul Ryan (WI) as his vice presidential running mate for the 2012 general election.
Secured Republican nomination (RNC)
Won the Republican Party’s presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
‘47 percent’ fundraiser video released
Video from a private fundraiser surfaced in which Romney described 47% of Americans as dependent on government, generating major controversy.
Released 2011 tax return
Released 2011 tax return showing $13.7 million in income and $1.94 million in federal taxes paid (14.1% rate).
Defeated in 2012 presidential election
Lost the general election to incumbent President Barack Obama; Romney received 206 Electoral College votes to Obama's 332.
Became chairman/executive committee member at Solamere Capital
Served as chairman of the executive committee of Solamere Capital (an investment firm founded by his son Tagg) from March 2013 through 2019.
Treated for prostate cancer
Underwent surgical treatment for prostate cancer in summer 2017; prognosis reported as good.
Announced candidacy for U.S. Senate (Utah)
Declared he would run for the U.S. Senate seat in Utah being vacated by Orrin Hatch.
Failed to secure Utah GOP convention nomination
Did not get the party nomination at the Utah Republican convention, forcing a primary election (April 2018).
Won Utah Republican primary
Easily won the Republican primary in June 2018 after failing to secure the convention nomination.
Elected U.S. Senator from Utah
Won the general election and succeeded Orrin Hatch; became one of few politicians elected governor of one state and senator from another.
Published op‑ed critical of President Trump
Published an op‑ed (Washington Post) sharply critical of President Trump while acknowledging support for some policies; widely reported just before taking office as senator.
Sworn in as U.S. Senator from Utah
Took office on January 3, 2019 as Utah's junior senator; succeeded Orrin Hatch.
Historic vote to convict President Trump (first impeachment trial)
Became the lone Senate Republican to vote to convict President Donald Trump on the abuse‑of‑power article in his first impeachment trial (Feb 2020).
Present during Capitol attack; spoke against rioters
Was present when pro‑Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol; publicly condemned the violence and accused colleagues of incitement.
Voted to convict Trump in second impeachment trial
One of seven Republicans to vote to convict former President Trump in his second impeachment trial (charge: incitement of insurrection).
Voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court
One of only three Republican senators to vote in favor of confirming Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.
Announced he would not seek reelection (2024)
Publicly announced he would not run for reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2024 and called for a new generation of leaders.
Retired from the U.S. Senate
Term expired January 3, 2025; succeeded by John Curtis; announced retirement from public office.
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