Bristol Palin (born Bristol Sheeran Marie Palin, 18.10.1990)
Bristol Palin is the daughter of Sarah Palin (the 11th Governor of Alaska) and her husband Todd. After becoming a single, teenage parent, Bristol has become a paid public speaker, advocating abstinence among unmarried teenagers in the USA.
Childhood & Life in the Public Eye: Bristol Palin was born and raised in Wasilla, in Alaska. In 2005, she attended Juneau-Douglas High School, then she lived with her aunt and uncle in Anchorage, attending West Anchorage High School, before eventually graduating from Wasilla High School in 2009.
During the 2008 US Presidential Campaign, Bristol Palin's mother, Sarah Palin, was selected as John McCain's vice-presidential running partner. At the time, they were aware of Bristol's pregnancy and McCain's advisers felt that it would become a political liability. The pregnancy was announced on 1st September, along with the statement that Bristol was engaged to the father of the child, Levi Johnston. Britney Spears' younger sister, Jamie Lynn Spears sent Bristol some baby clothes as gift. Spears herself was also a teen mother and the press made much of comparing the two cases. Despite suggestions that Johnston had been press-ganged into marrying Bristol, he claims that they had always planned on getting married; with or without the baby.
Levi and Bristol's baby, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, was born in December 2008. Their engagement was broken off in March 2009, amidst rumours that Bristol's decision to keep the baby were influenced by her mother's anti-abortion beliefs.
The couple entered court proceedings in November 2009, for custody and child support. Johnston requested open proceedings, stating that he did not feel protected against Sarah Palin's influence in a closed court. The court sided with Johnston.
For a brief spell, Bristol moved out of the family home and purchased a condo in Anchorage. Whilst living there, she worked in a dermatologist's office and attended business lessons at a local college. However, a few months later, she moved back into her parents' home.
Bristol and Levi were reunited in July 2010 an announced that they were again engaged to be married. However, they ended their engagement less than 3 weeks later.
Bristol Palin worked with the National campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy in 2009, to help educate young people about the consequences of teenage pregnancy. She was also made a Teen Abstinence Ambassador for the Candie's Foundation. However, before undertaking this work, she had previously stated that abstinence was 'not realistic at all', in an interview with Fox News. Palin now works regularly as a speaker on the issue of abstinence and charges between $15,000 and $30,000 for a single appearance. Palin also set up her own lobbying & political consultation firm in 2009, named BSMP.
In July 2010, Bristol Palin appeared as herself in The Secret Life of the American Teenager (which features the actress Molly Ringwald). Later that year, Bristol was selected to be one of the contestants on the popular US TV show, Dancing with the Stars. Her partner is the professional dancer Mark Ballas and other contestants include David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton, Jennifer Grey and Brandy.
Biography by Contactmusic.com