Gabby Giffords Opens Up About Hobbies, Marriage and Why She 'Won't Back Down' in New Documentary

Mar. 15, 2025

From the outside, you’d never know Giffords was missing part of her skull andsuffers from aphasia, a language disorder that effects speech. But after beingshot in the head 11 years agoat a rally for her in Arizona, Giffords knows she is lucky to be alive, so she maintains a positive attitude.

Patrick Semansky/AP

On Jan. 8, 2011, Giffords was at a Safeway in Tucson, Ariz., with her staff for a constituent meeting when a gunman opened fire, killing six people, including one of her staffers and a 9-year-old girl. Giffords was one of 18 people shot during the incident.

The CNN Films documentary follows Giffords' journey, showing how she defied every odd stacked up against her. From several surgeries, to being taken off life support in just 30 days, we see Giffords work hard to get better as she discovers unique therapies which quickly turned into her new favorite hobbies.

One of Giffords' biggest advocates during her recovery has been her husband of 15 years,Sen. Mark Kelly, who almost never left his wife’s side during the awful ordeal.

“He is my best friend,” Giffords shares. “He is so funny. I love him a lot.”

“I think that their relationship is based on a shared sense of values and a shared sense of humor,” Betsy West, the film’s other director, says. “They do have a lot of fun with each other.”

As the topic of gun violence in America continues to heat up while mass shootings numbers rise, Giffords,who just received a Medal of FreedomfromPresident Joe Biden, promises to keep fighting against access to the weapons that nearly took her life.

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As our interview concludes, I take a turn to smile back at Giffords and nod her a “Beardown,” an ode to the University of Arizona, whose hospital took care of her when she was shot. Filled with pride she gives me one back, and I begin thinking of her own mantra.

“Save lives! Save lives! Save lives!”

source: people.com