Gabrielle Giffords

ABOUT GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

Democratic member of House of Representatives from Arizona who served her state from 2001 to 2012. She survived a nearly fatal gunshot wound to the head on January 8, 2011. When she handed in her resignation so that she could focus on her recovery she received a standing ovation from the entire House.

She attended Scripps College and Cornell University where she studied Mexican American relations.

She is the second cousin of actress Gwyneth Paltrow .

She married NASA astronaut Mark Kelly on November 10, 2007; they have daughters named Claudia and Claire.

She was interviewed by Diane Sawyer about her tragic ordeal.