01of 16John McCain’s Early YearsREX/ShutterstockBorn in the Panama Canal Zone on Aug. 29, 1936, John Sidney McCain III was the first son and second child of John S. McCain Jr. and Roberta McCain. McCain’s father was a Naval officer, so the family moved around quite a bit throughout his childhood — when he attend 20 schools in total, according toUSA Today.He eventuallygraduated from high school in Northern Virginia.
01of 16
John McCain’s Early Years
REX/Shutterstock

Born in the Panama Canal Zone on Aug. 29, 1936, John Sidney McCain III was the first son and second child of John S. McCain Jr. and Roberta McCain. McCain’s father was a Naval officer, so the family moved around quite a bit throughout his childhood — when he attend 20 schools in total, according toUSA Today.He eventuallygraduated from high school in Northern Virginia.
02of 16
John McCain at the Naval Academy
Everett Collection

03of 16John McCain and Wife Carol SheppCarol and John McCain.APIn 1965, McCain married his first wife, Carol Shepp, a model from Philadelphia. He adopted her two sons, Douglas and Andrew. The next year, they welcomed a daughter,Sidney, according toABC News.
03of 16
John McCain and Wife Carol Shepp
Carol and John McCain.AP

In 1965, McCain married his first wife, Carol Shepp, a model from Philadelphia. He adopted her two sons, Douglas and Andrew. The next year, they welcomed a daughter,Sidney, according toABC News.
04of 16
John McCain as a POW
CBS/AP

05of 16John McCain Returns HomeAPDuring his five and a half years as a prisoner of war, McCain spent two years in solitary confinement, was beaten multiple times a day, every day, and subjected to other forms of torture. After his father was promoted to commander of the U.S. forces in Vietnam, McCain was offered early release, but he turned it down, not wanting to be freed until his fellow prisoners got the same offer. He was eventually released on March 14, 1973, and was welcomed home as a hero,according toThe Washington Post.
05of 16
John McCain Returns Home
AP

During his five and a half years as a prisoner of war, McCain spent two years in solitary confinement, was beaten multiple times a day, every day, and subjected to other forms of torture. After his father was promoted to commander of the U.S. forces in Vietnam, McCain was offered early release, but he turned it down, not wanting to be freed until his fellow prisoners got the same offer. He was eventually released on March 14, 1973, and was welcomed home as a hero,according toThe Washington Post.
06of 16
John McCain’s First Foray Into Politics
Brich/AP

07of 16John McCain and Wife Cindy McCainKen Akers/The Arizaona Republic/APHe met his second wife, Cindy, in 1979 while he was still married to his first wife, Carol. McCain and Carol divorced in April 1980, and he married Cindy the next month. There were tensions with his children at first, who didn’t attend his second wedding, but they eventually reconciled,The New York Timesreported.
07of 16
John McCain and Wife Cindy McCain
Ken Akers/The Arizaona Republic/AP

He met his second wife, Cindy, in 1979 while he was still married to his first wife, Carol. McCain and Carol divorced in April 1980, and he married Cindy the next month. There were tensions with his children at first, who didn’t attend his second wedding, but they eventually reconciled,The New York Timesreported.
08of 16
John McCain Is Elected to the House of Representatives
Tom Tingle/Phoenix Gazette/AP

09of 16John McCain Is Elected to the SenateRon Edmonds/APWhen Barry Goldwater, a longtime U.S. senator from Arizona, retired, McCain saw his opportunity, and ran for the seat. He easily nabbed the Republican nomination, and then won the seat, defeating his opponent, former Arizona State Senator Richard Kimball, 60 to 40 percent, accordingtoThe Arizona Republic.
09of 16
John McCain Is Elected to the Senate
Ron Edmonds/AP

When Barry Goldwater, a longtime U.S. senator from Arizona, retired, McCain saw his opportunity, and ran for the seat. He easily nabbed the Republican nomination, and then won the seat, defeating his opponent, former Arizona State Senator Richard Kimball, 60 to 40 percent, accordingtoThe Arizona Republic.
10of 16
John McCain’s Growing Family

11of 16John McCain’s InfluenceRuth Fremson/APAs his career continued, McCain became a popular senator who gained national attention. In 1997, he was named toTIME’s list of the “25 Most Influential Americans.”
11of 16
John McCain’s Influence
Ruth Fremson/AP

As his career continued, McCain became a popular senator who gained national attention. In 1997, he was named toTIME’s list of the “25 Most Influential Americans.”
12of 16John McCain’s First Cancer DiagnosisEric Draper/APThat popularity paved the way for his first presidential run in 2000. Though he won the New Hampshire primary and gained momentum throughout the primary season, he lost nine of thirteen Super Tuesday primaries and ended up withdrawing from the race in March. (George W. Bush went on to win the nomination and the presidency.) McCain continued working in the Senate, and in 2006, was diagnosed with melanoma, which he recovered from, according toABC News.
12of 16
John McCain’s First Cancer Diagnosis
Eric Draper/AP

That popularity paved the way for his first presidential run in 2000. Though he won the New Hampshire primary and gained momentum throughout the primary season, he lost nine of thirteen Super Tuesday primaries and ended up withdrawing from the race in March. (George W. Bush went on to win the nomination and the presidency.) McCain continued working in the Senate, and in 2006, was diagnosed with melanoma, which he recovered from, according toABC News.
13of 16John McCain Runs for PresidentFrom left: Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during the 2008 presidential campaign.Kiichiro Sato/APThe 2000 campaign wasn’t McCain’s last time running for president. He ran again in 2008, and this time secured the Republican nomination early on in the race, on March 4,according to CNN. Sarah Palin, then the governor of Alaska,was announcedas his running mate in August. He lost the general election against PresidentBarack Obama,winning 173 electoral votesto Obama’s 365, and 46 percent of the popular vote, compared to 53 percent for Obama, according to CNN.
13of 16
John McCain Runs for President
From left: Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during the 2008 presidential campaign.Kiichiro Sato/AP

The 2000 campaign wasn’t McCain’s last time running for president. He ran again in 2008, and this time secured the Republican nomination early on in the race, on March 4,according to CNN. Sarah Palin, then the governor of Alaska,was announcedas his running mate in August. He lost the general election against PresidentBarack Obama,winning 173 electoral votesto Obama’s 365, and 46 percent of the popular vote, compared to 53 percent for Obama, according to CNN.
14of 16John McCain Continues in the SenateRoss D. Franklin/APHe was elected to the Senate for his sixth consecutive term in November 2016.
14of 16
John McCain Continues in the Senate
Ross D. Franklin/AP

He was elected to the Senate for his sixth consecutive term in November 2016.
15of 16
John McCain Is Diagnosed with Brain Cancer
Ron Rakun/Pacific Press/Sipa/AP

16of 16
John McCain’s Final Days

Though he did return to the Senate floor days after announcing his diagnosis, he spent much of his final year in treatment and at home in Arizonabefore his deathon Aug. 25, 2018.
In an interview with PEOPLEmonths prior, McCain called himself “the luckiest guy that ever lived. In other words, I have been so fortunate to have the full life that I have had full of time and adventure and excitement.”
source: people.com