The Hon. Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan was born on 17 August 1940 in Papar, Sabah. Tan Sri Pairin is married to Puan Sri Datin Seri Panglima Genevieve Lee Chau Ha, a former teacher. They have two sons, Alexander and Daniel, who are both trained lawyers.  

Tan Sri Pairin is the founder and President of the Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah). Trained as a lawyer at the University of Adelaide, Australia, he worked as State Counsel with the Sabah Legal Department and subsequently as Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP). Prior to joining politics, he also practised law with a local legal firm.

Tan Sri Pairin joined active politics in 1975 and was elected as Member of the Sabah Legislative Assembly for the Tambunan constituency in 1976 under BERJAYA party's ticket. He has served as Assemblyman for Tambunan since 1976 and Member of Parliament for the constituency of Keningau since 1986.

Tan Sri Pairin formed Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) in March 1985 and led the party to victory in the Sabah general election of April 1985. He held the post of Sabah Chief Minister from April 1985 to March 1994, during which he spearheaded his party's triumphant outings in four successive State elections (1985, 1986, 1990 and 1994). His nine-year term as Chief Minister ended abruptly on 17 March 1994 when 26 of his Assemblymen leapfrogged to the National Front (Barisan Nasional), thereby forcing PBS to lose its majority in the Legislative Assembly.

Political writings on Tan Sri Pairin have described him variously as "fearless, principled, sincere, humble and resilient". These traits have formed the distinguishing attributes of his inspiring and extremely popular leadership.

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan is also paramount leader (Huguan Siou) of the Kadazandusun community of Sabah, a grouping of some 40-odd sub-ethnic groups which form the largest indigenous component of the Sabah population. He is also President of the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA), the community's principal cultural association.

In March 2004, Tan Sri Pairin was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Rural Development.

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan is a member of the Malaysia-Indonesia Eminent Persons Group (EPG).

On 13th May 2009, the Chief Minister announced a minor Cabinet reshuffle which saw the appointment of Tan Sri Pairin as the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development.

In recognition for his long, outstanding and meritorious services to the nation, Tan Sri Pairin was conferred the Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm or "Panglima Mangku Negara (PMN)" which carries the title "Tan Sri" by the King of Malaysia (Yang DiPertuan Agong) on the occasion of His Majesty's birthday on 5th June 2010.