reach/reached

In fact all three of the verbs in this sentence require adjustment. The question put to the Minister must have been something like:

- If you were a lawyer in your 30s, would you give up your career and enter politics?

As this question is in the subjunctive mood it requires an answer in the subjunctive, thus:

- It would depend on what kind of life I had had before I reached 30.

One had is enough.

Isn't there a fish called had? Then you could say "I had had had had.

That would be stuttering.

BBBB bbb bBB thats all folks

You are correct, it should be past perfect. And your understanding of verb tense is commendable.

Thanks for your reply and your compliment. I'm still learning.