John McCain, a towering figure in American politics and a decorated war hero, led a life marked by significant public service and equally significant personal relationships. His romantic journey, spanning decades, involved two marriages that shaped his personal life and, in many ways, his public persona. From his early years to his rise as a prominent senator and presidential candidate, McCain's love life was a testament to enduring partnerships and the complexities of public scrutiny.
McCain's first marriage was to Carol Shepp. They met in the late 1950s when McCain was attending the United States Naval Academy. Carol had two sons from a previous marriage, Douglas and Andrew, whom McCain adopted. The couple married on July 3, 1965. Their early years together were marked by the demands of military life, culminating in John McCain's deployment to Vietnam. During his grueling five and a half years as a prisoner of war (POW) in North Vietnam, Carol remained steadfast, raising their children and becoming a prominent advocate in the POW/MIA movement. She was severely injured in a car accident in December 1969, during his captivity, which left her with lasting physical challenges.
Upon his return from Vietnam in 1973, the couple faced immense challenges. While Carol had undergone numerous surgeries and rehabilitation for her injuries, the marriage began to fray. According to reports, John McCain admitted to having "dalliances" with other women during this period, attributing the collapse of his marriage to his "own selfishness and immaturity." Despite their shared trauma and public image as a resilient couple, their relationship deteriorated over the subsequent years.
The turning point in McCain's romantic life came in April 1979, when he met Cindy Lou Hensley at a military reception in Honolulu, Hawaii. At the time, McCain was 42 and still married to Carol, while Cindy was 25 and the heiress to a wealthy Arizona beer distributorship. Their meeting sparked an intense and rapid courtship. McCain, then serving as the Navy's liaison to Congress, frequently flew from Washington to Arizona to pursue the relationship with Cindy.
His relationship with Cindy Hensley quickly progressed, leading to the formal separation from Carol in January 1980. John McCain petitioned for divorce from Carol on February 19, 1980, citing an "irretrievably broken" marital bond. The divorce was finalized in April 1980. Just five weeks after his divorce from Carol was complete, John McCain married Cindy Hensley on May 17, 1980. This rapid transition, and the circumstances surrounding his first divorce, drew some public attention, but McCain maintained a good relationship with his first wife in later years, and his children from both marriages reportedly developed a relationship.
The marriage to Cindy McCain marked a new chapter in John McCain's life, both personally and professionally. Cindy's family wealth and connections in Arizona were instrumental in launching his political career. They moved to Arizona in 1981, and he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, beginning his long and distinguished career in Congress. Together, John and Cindy had four children: Meghan, John Sidney IV (Jack), James, and Bridget, whom they adopted from Bangladesh. Cindy became a prominent figure in her own right, supporting her husband's political endeavors, including his two presidential campaigns, and engaging in extensive humanitarian work.
Their marriage endured for 38 years, until John McCain's passing in August 2018. Throughout their decades together, Cindy was a steadfast partner, navigating the intense scrutiny of political life, personal challenges, and health struggles, including her own recovery from a prescription pill addiction in the 1990s and a stroke in the 2000s. She was described as a "rock" during his final battle with glioblastoma. Their public appearances often showcased a strong, united front, symbolizing a partnership that withstood the pressures of national politics and personal adversity. Cindy McCain has continued to honor his legacy through her work and public advocacy, including her endorsement of Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, citing her late husband's friendship with Biden.