GABRIEL BOUYS—AFP/GETTY IMAGES Senator John McCain

Senator John McCain

Senator John McCain, 71, likes to describe himself as "the luckiest man you will ever meet." But hard work, not just luck, helped him clinch the Republican Party's nomination in early March. It will become official at his party's convention this summer.

McCain's life has combined strong doses of diligence and good fortune. He has traveled a long road to get to where he is. He was born on August 29, 1936, while his father was serving as a U.S. Navy officer in the Panama Canal Zone. Both McCain's father and grandfather were Navy admirals. Young John followed in the family career, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and becoming a naval aviator.

As a flier, McCain withstood several near-death experiences. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, his plane was shot down. He survived more than five years as a prisoner of war. After returning home, he continued to serve in the military until 1981 when he retired as a captain.

In 1981, McCain was elected to the U.S. Congress as a representative. Five years later, he was elected to the Senate. He has served in Congress for 25 years. Throughout his career, McCain has championed causes that are important to him, including promoting the military and a strong defense, getting tax cuts for Americans and fighting wasteful government spending.

This is not the first time McCain has run for President. In 2000, he unsuccessfully tried to gain his party's nomination. If McCain wins the November election, he will be 72 years old when he takes office. He would be the oldest first-term President ever.

McCain lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife, Cindy. He has seven children, Doug, Andy, Sidney, Meghan, Jack, Jimmy and Bridget, and four grandchildren.