Mike Pence is an American politician, lawyer, author and former broadcaster who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Before becoming vice president, Pence represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years and served as the 50th governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017.

A longtime Republican and conservative political figure, Pence became nationally prominent during his years in Congress and Indiana state politics. His selection as Donald Trump’s running mate in 2016 transformed him from a well-known conservative politician into a national figure.

His four years as vice president included some of the most consequential and controversial events in recent American political history, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the confirmation of Supreme Court justices, debates over immigration and foreign policy, and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

After leaving the vice presidency, Pence continued working in politics, public policy, education and conservative advocacy. He also launched a campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, although he ultimately ended his campaign before the Iowa caucuses.

Who Is Mike Pence?

Mike Pence is a Republican politician who served as vice president during Donald Trump’s first presidential administration. His political career began in Indiana, where he eventually became a member of Congress and later governor. In Washington, he developed a reputation as a socially conservative Republican and a strong supporter of limited government and conservative economic policies.

Pence’s political identity was closely connected to his Christian faith. During his congressional career, he became particularly active on issues involving abortion, religious liberty, marriage and government spending.

His selection as Trump’s vice-presidential candidate in 2016 was initially viewed as a way of strengthening Trump’s relationship with traditional conservatives and Republican lawmakers. Pence subsequently served as vice president from January 20, 2017, until January 20, 2021. He was succeeded by Kamala Harris.

Mike Pence Age and Early Life

Michael Richard Pence is 67 years old as of 2026. He was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana. Pence grew up in a large family in Columbus, a city in southern Indiana. His upbringing was strongly influenced by his parents and his Irish Catholic family background.

His father, Edward Joseph Pence Jr., was a Korean War veteran who later operated a group of gas stations. He received a Bronze Star for his military service. His mother, Ann Jane “Nancy” Cawley Pence, came from an Irish-American family.

Pence was one of six children. Growing up in Indiana helped shape the political identity he would later develop. His early life was relatively far removed from Washington politics, and his eventual rise to the vice presidency represented a long progression through local, state and federal politics.

Mike Pence Family and Parents

Pence’s parents were Edward Joseph Pence Jr. and Ann Jane Cawley Pence. His father served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and later operated gas stations. Pence has spoken about his father’s military service and the influence his parents had on his values.

His paternal family was of German and Irish descent, while his maternal family was Irish. His maternal grandfather, Richard Michael Cawley, immigrated to the United States from Ireland and eventually worked as a bus driver in Chicago.

Pence has several siblings. His brother Greg Pence later followed him into politics and was elected to Congress from Indiana in 2018, representing the district Mike Pence had previously represented. The brothers have sometimes attracted attention because of their similar appearance and shared political careers.

Mike Pence Education

Pence graduated from Columbus North High School in 1977. He then attended Hanover College, a private liberal arts college in Indiana. He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. Pence subsequently attended Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.

He initially intended to establish himself as a lawyer, but his career eventually moved toward politics and media. His legal education nevertheless became useful in his later political career, particularly when he dealt with constitutional issues, legislation and government policy.

Mike Pence Early Career

After graduating from law school, Pence worked as an attorney. His early political ambitions were evident before he successfully won elected office. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1988 and again in 1990, losing both campaigns to Democratic incumbent Philip Sharp.

Rather than abandoning politics, Pence changed direction. The defeats gave him time to develop his political communication skills and build a public profile. During the 1990s, he became increasingly involved in conservative political commentary, eventually turning broadcasting into a significant part of his professional life.

Mike Pence Radio and Television Career

Between 1994 and 1999, Pence hosted a conservative radio talk show and later a television program in Indiana. His radio program, The Mike Pence Show, was broadcast from Indianapolis. His style combined political commentary with discussions of current events and issues affecting Indiana residents.

The experience proved valuable because it taught Pence how to communicate political arguments directly to an audience. He later described himself as a “Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order,” a phrase that became closely associated with his political identity.

His years as a broadcaster helped prepare him for a career in elected politics because he became comfortable speaking publicly and explaining political issues to ordinary voters.

Mike Pence in the U.S. House of Representatives

Pence finally won election to Congress in 2000. He began serving in the House in January 2001 and represented Indiana for the next 12 years. He initially represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District before redistricting placed him in the 6th District.

During his House career, Pence became one of the more prominent conservatives in the Republican Party. He served as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative House Republicans, from 2005 to 2007. He later became chairman of the House Republican Conference from 2009 to 2011, making him the third-ranking Republican in the House at the time.

His congressional voting record generally reflected socially conservative positions and support for lower taxes and limited government spending.

Mike Pence as Governor of Indiana

In 2012, Pence ran for governor of Indiana. He won the election and became the state’s 50th governor in January 2013. As governor, Pence focused on taxes, economic development, education and conservative social policies. His administration enacted what was described as Indiana’s largest tax cut at the time. He also supported expanded educational choices and private-school initiatives.

However, his governorship became nationally controversial in 2015 after he signed Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Critics argued that the legislation could allow businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ customers. The controversy attracted significant criticism from business leaders and political figures. Pence subsequently signed amendments intended to clarify that the law did not permit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The controversy significantly increased Pence’s national visibility.

Mike Pence and Donald Trump

In 2016, Donald Trump selected Pence as his vice-presidential running mate. The decision was politically significant because Pence had strong relationships with traditional Republicans and evangelical Christians. The Trump-Pence ticket defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and running mate Tim Kaine in the November 2016 presidential election.

Pence became vice president on January 20, 2017. The relationship between Trump and Pence was initially presented as a partnership between two politicians with very different personal styles. Trump was known for an unconventional and highly confrontational political approach, while Pence generally presented himself as more traditional, disciplined and restrained. Pence became an important link between the White House and congressional Republicans.

Mike Pence as Vice President

Pence served as vice president for four years. As vice president, he served as president of the Senate and frequently participated in legislative negotiations with Republican senators. He also chaired the National Space Council, which the Trump administration revived in 2017.

Another major responsibility came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Pence was appointed to lead the White House Coronavirus Task Force. In that role, he became one of the administration’s principal public communicators about the federal response to the pandemic.

His vice presidency was also marked by the confirmation of three Supreme Court justices appointed by President Trump: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. These appointments significantly changed the ideological balance of the Supreme Court.

Mike Pence and January 6

The final weeks of Pence’s vice presidency became one of the most consequential periods of his political career. After the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that the election had been affected by widespread fraud, despite courts and election officials rejecting claims that such fraud had changed the result.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the vice president presides over the joint session of Congress during the certification of Electoral College votes. Trump and his allies pressured Pence to reject or delay certification of Joe Biden’s electoral victory. Pence ultimately rejected the argument that he had constitutional authority to unilaterally overturn electoral votes.

On January 6, 2021, Congress met to certify the election results. A mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, forcing Pence and members of Congress to evacuate. Later that night, Pence returned to the Capitol and presided over the certification of Biden’s victory. His decision permanently changed his political relationship with Trump.

Why Did Mike Pence and Donald Trump Fall Out?

Pence and Trump eventually became political opponents. The central disagreement involved Pence’s role in certifying the 2020 presidential election. Pence maintained that the Constitution did not give him the power to reject electoral votes simply because he disagreed with the outcome.

Trump strongly disagreed and publicly criticized Pence for refusing to intervene. Their relationship deteriorated considerably after January 6. Although Pence remained a Republican and continued supporting many conservative policies associated with the Republican Party, he did not endorse Trump for the 2024 presidential election. This placed Pence in a relatively unusual position within the Republican Party, particularly as Trump regained control over much of the party’s political base.

Mike Pence 2024 Presidential Campaign

Pence announced his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in June 2023. His campaign emphasized traditional conservative principles, limited government, religious liberty and strong American leadership abroad. He also criticized Donald Trump, particularly over the events surrounding January 6. However, Pence struggled to gain significant support in a Republican primary dominated by Trump.

He suspended his campaign in October 2023, before the first nominating contests. Although the campaign was unsuccessful, it reinforced Pence’s decision to maintain his own political identity rather than return to the Trump movement.

Mike Pence Wife

Mike Pence has been married to Karen Pence since 1985. The couple met while Pence was attending law school at Indiana University. They married after dating and have remained together throughout his political career. Karen Pence is an educator, artist and former public official who served as the second lady of the United States from 2017 to 2021.

She previously served as first lady of Indiana while Pence was governor. Karen has been involved in several charitable and advocacy activities, including mental-health awareness and art therapy. The Pences have often presented their marriage and Christian faith as central parts of their lives.

Mike Pence Children

Mike and Karen Pence have three children: Michael, Charlotte and Audrey. Their son Michael Pence serves as a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. Their daughter Charlotte Pence Bond is an author, filmmaker and writer. She has also been involved in conservative political and media projects.

Their youngest daughter, Audrey Pence, has pursued a career outside the main political spotlight. Pence has generally attempted to protect his children’s private lives while they have grown into adulthood.

Mike Pence Family and Religion

Religion is one of the defining aspects of Pence’s public identity. He is a Christian and evangelical conservative and has frequently spoken publicly about his faith. Pence was raised Catholic but later became an evangelical Christian. His religious beliefs have influenced many of his political positions, particularly his views on abortion, marriage, religious liberty and family policy.

During his political career, Pence has repeatedly described his faith as central to his decision-making. His religious convictions also helped him develop strong relationships with evangelical voters, who formed an important part of the Republican coalition during the Trump administration.

Mike Pence Height

Pence stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.

Mike Pence Net Worth

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has an estimated net worth of $4 million. His wealth has come from his years in Congress, his time as governor and vice president, book royalties, speaking engagements, consulting and other post-government activities.

Mike Pence Salary

As vice president, he received the federal vice-presidential salary established by law. After leaving office, he no longer receives a vice president’s salary, although former presidents and vice presidents may receive certain benefits and allowances under federal law.

His current income is more difficult to calculate because it comes from multiple private and professional sources. As a former vice president, Pence has participated in paid speaking events, published books and worked with policy organizations.

Therefore, there is no reliable single figure for his current annual salary. For an SEO biography requiring an estimate, his current annual income could reasonably be estimated at around $1 million, although this is not a publicly verified salary.

Mike Pence Books

Pence has written several books about his political career and personal beliefs. His memoir, So Help Me God: The Founding and the Fight for Freedom in a Secular World, was published in 2022. The book covers his childhood, political career, relationship with Donald Trump and experiences as vice president. It also provides Pence’s account of the events surrounding January 6 and his decision to certify the 2020 election results.

His writing has allowed him to explain his political philosophy directly rather than through campaign speeches or interviews.

What Is Mike Pence Doing Now?

As of 2026, Pence remains active in conservative politics, public policy and education. After leaving the vice presidency, he became associated with organizations including The Heritage Foundation and the Young America’s Foundation. He has also continued public speaking and policy advocacy.

In 2024, Pence began teaching seminar and lecture courses in political science at Grove City College, where he was named Distinguished Fellow for Faith and Public Life. In 2025, George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government announced that Pence would begin serving as a professor in spring 2026.

Pence also received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in May 2025, recognizing his conduct surrounding the certification of the 2020 presidential election. His post-vice-presidential career therefore combines political advocacy, education, writing and public speaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Mike Pence?

Mike Pence was born on June 7, 1959, making him 67 years old in 2026.

Who is Mike Pence’s wife?

His wife is Karen Pence. They met while Pence was attending law school and married in 1985.

How many children does Mike Pence have?

Mike and Karen Pence have three children: Michael, Charlotte and Audrey.

What is Mike Pence’s net worth?

His exact net worth is private. A reasonable 2026 estimate is approximately $4 million, although publicly available estimates vary.

How tall is Mike Pence?

Mike Pence is generally estimated to be approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.

When was Mike Pence vice president?

Pence served as the 48th vice president of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, under President Donald Trump.

What did Mike Pence do before becoming vice president?

Before becoming vice president, Pence served as a U.S. representative from Indiana from 2001 to 2013 and governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017.

Why did Mike Pence and Donald Trump fall out?

Their relationship deteriorated largely because Pence refused to accept Trump’s argument that the vice president could reject or delay electoral votes during the January 6, 2021 certification of the 2020 presidential election.

Did Mike Pence run for president?

Yes. Pence ran for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, but he suspended his campaign in October 2023 after struggling to gain sufficient support.

Where is Mike Pence now?

Pence remains involved in public policy, conservative advocacy, education, writing and public speaking. He has also taught political science and faith-and-public-life courses following his vice presidency.