What Is Chris Christie's Net Worth and Salary?
Chris Christie is an American politician with a net worth of $5 million. Christie served as the Governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018 and has been a Republican presidential candidate. During his tenure as Governor, he received an annual salary of $175,000.
Early Years
Christopher James Christie was born on September 6, 1962, in Newark, New Jersey, to Wilbur James "Bill" Christie, a certified public accountant, and Sondra Grasso Christie, a telephone receptionist. The family moved to Livingston, New Jersey, following the 1967 Newark race riots. It was in Livingston that Christie's interest in public service began.
While attending Livingston High School, Christie was elected class president and represented his school in the United States Senate Youth Program. He played catcher for the baseball team and started his political journey here.
Christie completed his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Delaware and earned his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University.
After law school, he joined the law firm Dughi, Hewit, and Palatucci, specializing in securities law, election law, and government affairs. He eventually became a partner at the firm. During this period, Christie volunteered for George H.W. Bush's re-election campaign, which fostered a close relationship with fellow attorney William Palatucci.
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Governorship
In 1994, Christie was elected to the board of Chosen Freeholders in Morris County, New Jersey. The next year, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the New Jersey General Assembly and later returned to private practice. He served as a campaign lawyer for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign and was a prominent fundraiser.
In 2001, President Bush appointed Christie as U. S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, a position he held for six years, gaining significant popularity among Republicans.
In 2009, Christie ran for Governor of New Jersey and won, defeating Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. He was re-elected in 2013, praised for his recovery efforts post-Hurricane Sandy and moderate politics, though not without controversy.
Bridgegate
The Fort Lee lane closure scandal, commonly known as "Bridgegate," brought Christie into the national spotlight. In September 2013, two lanes of the George Washington Bridge were closed during morning rush hour, causing massive gridlock for four days. The lane closures were suspected to be political retaliation against the mayor of Fort Lee for not endorsing Christie. The investigation found that Christie's aides had orchestrated the closures for political motives, leading to multiple indictments, though Christie's involvement was never proven.
Beach Scandal
In July 2017, during a state government shutdown due to budget issues, Christie closed state-run beaches to the public. However, he and his family were photographed vacationing at the closed Island Beach State Park, using state-funded transportation and lodging. The public was outraged by Christie's actions and his dismissive response, "That's the way it goes. Run for governor, and you can have the residence."
Presidential Run
In mid-2015, Christie entered the 2016 United States presidential race as a Republican candidate. The crowded field made it difficult for him to gain traction, resulting in poor showings in early primaries. He suspended his campaign in February 2016 and endorsed Donald Trump, who eventually won the presidency.
In the 2020 campaign, Christie assisted Trump in debate preparations against Democratic nominee Joe Biden and worked as a political contributor for ABC News while also being a registered lobbyist.
Personal Life
Chris Christie married Mary Pat Foster, a fellow University of Delaware student, in 1986. They have four children: Andrew, Sarah, Patrick, and Bridget. The family resides in Mendham Township, New Jersey, on a 6-acre property they purchased in 1998 for $775,000.
