What is Bill de Blasio's Net Worth and Salary?
Bill de Blasio, a prominent Democratic politician, has a net worth of $3 million. Known for being the 109th mayor of New York City, de Blasio earned an annual salary of $260,000. Before serving as mayor, he served as the New York City Public Advocate from 2010 to 2013. His political journey began post-university when he worked as a campaign manager for Charles Rangel and Hillary Clinton. Between 2002 and 2007, he represented Brooklyn in the New York City Council.
During his tenure as mayor, he emphasized issues like police reform, marijuana decriminalization, and reducing surveillance. De Blasio, a progressive liberal, has also championed economic equality. He briefly participated in the 2020 Democratic primaries before endorsing Bernie Sanders.
Early Life
Born Warren Wilhelm Jr. on May 8, 1961, in Manhattan, New York City, Bill de Blasio grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut, and later in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His parents separated, and he was mainly raised by his mother's family. His father, suffering from incurable lung cancer, committed suicide when Bill was 18. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in metropolitan studies and earned a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University. In 1983, he changed his surname to Blasio-Wilhelm, eventually becoming Bill de Blasio in 2001 to honor his maternal connections.
De Blasio's family has deep governmental ties. His paternal uncle was a CIA agent in Iran, his mother served in the Office of War Information during World War II, and his father worked as a budget analyst for the federal government. His mother later worked as a public relations specialist with the Italian consulate.
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Career
De Blasio's career began at the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice and various nonprofits. He volunteered on David Dinkins' mayoral campaign and later worked at City Hall. In 1994, he managed Charles Rangel's campaign, and by 1997, he was the regional director for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. In 2000, he led Hillary Clinton's US Senate campaign.
In 2001, de Blasio ran for the New York City Council and represented Brooklyn's 39th district. He served as Public Advocate of New York City from 2010 until his mayoral run in 2013. Reelected in 2017, he managed New York City during the Covid-19 crisis and prioritized police reform, which occasionally caused friction with the NYPD. In 2019, he sought the Democratic nomination for president but withdrew, subsequently endorsing Bernie Sanders.
Relationships
De Blasio married Chirlane McCray in 1994 after meeting her in Mayor Dinkins' administration. The couple has two children together.
Real Estate
Bill de Blasio has been active in real estate, a sector that has attracted scrutiny. In 2019, he facilitated the city's acquisition of 17 buildings in Brooklyn. Initially appraised at $50 million, the final cost was $173 million, which raised questions due to connections with Frank Carone, a long-time ally of de Blasio.
Controversy arose when it was revealed that de Blasio paid just $9,000 in property taxes on two homes valued at over $3.5 million combined, compared to the expected $35,000. The properties, often rented for up to $1,825 per month, benefited from the city's tax system that favored older properties—a system de Blasio himself had criticized.
