John Bolton Net Worth

What is John Bolton's Net Worth and Salary?

John Bolton is an American attorney, political commentator, government official, and former diplomat who has an estimated net worth of $6 million. He served as the US National Security Advisor in the Trump administration from 2018 to 2019, and has previously held significant roles under Reagan and both Bush administrations. Known as a hawk, Bolton is notorious for his strong advocacy of military interventions globally.

John Bolton's Salary

Before joining the Trump administration, Bolton earned $569,423 from Fox News in 2019, making him one of the highest-paid contributors at the network. For comparison, average contributors earn around $141,000 annually. His high earnings underscore his prominent influence in political commentary.

Early Life

John Bolton was born on November 20, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Edward, a fireman, and Virginia, a housewife. Bolton attended the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, graduating in 1966. He then earned his BA from Yale University in 1970 and his JD from Yale Law School in 1974. Despite supporting the Vietnam War during college, he enlisted in the Maryland Air National Guard to avoid combat and later served two more years in the US Army Reserve.

Law Career

Bolton began his legal career at the Washington, DC office of Covington & Burling, where he worked from 1974 to 1981 and then again from 1983 to 1985. He later became a partner at Lerner, Reed, Bolton & McManus from 1993 to 1999. Additionally, he served as a counsel in Kirkland & Ellis' Washington office from 2008 to 2018.

Political Career

Start of Political Career

Bolton's political journey began under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, serving in roles at the Justice Department, State Department, and the US Agency for International Development. His positions included Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs.

Under Secretary of State

In 2001, Bolton was appointed Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. He played a pivotal role in advancing George W. Bush's pro-war policies, notably by reinforcing the false notion of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Ambassador to the United Nations

In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Bolton as US Ambassador to the United Nations. After contentious Senate hearings, Bush bypassed confirmation through a recess appointment. Bolton's tenure was marked by controversy due to his abrasive style and rigid policies. He ultimately resigned at the end of his recess appointment.

National Security Advisor

In 2018, Bolton became the National Security Adviser to President Donald Trump, replacing H. R. McMaster. During his tenure, he advocated for the US withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal and targeted international organizations. He was instrumental in dissolving the Global Health Security team. Bolton's stint ended in September 2019 when he claimed he had resigned.

Other Activities

Outside his White House roles, Bolton has engaged in various political, business, and media activities. From 1983 to 1984, he was executive director of the Republican National Committee's Committee on Resolutions. Bolton has been a Fox News contributor since 2006 and has written for the Weekly Standard. He served as senior vice president of the American Enterprise Institute from 1997 to 2001 and as its director of foreign and defense policy studies until 2018. Furthermore, Bolton chaired the far-right think tank Gatestone Institute from 2013 to 2018 and established his own Super PAC in 2013.

Memoir

In 2020, Bolton published his memoir, "The Room Where it Happened: A White House Memoir," detailing his time as National Security Advisor. The memoir faced opposition from the Trump Justice Department but went on to become a bestseller.

Personal Life

Bolton married his first wife, Christina, in 1972, but they divorced in 1983. He later married financial planner Gretchen Smith in 1986, and they have a daughter named Jennifer. The family resides in Bethesda, Maryland.