What is Richard Blumenthal's Net Worth?
Richard Blumenthal is a distinguished lawyer and Democratic politician with a net worth of $85 million. He stands out as one of the richest members of Congress, with most of his wealth stemming from his father-in-law's real estate business. Peter Malkin, his father-in-law, is the chairman of Malkin Holdings and Empire State Realty Trust, both of which own and lease prime office and retail spaces in Manhattan, including the iconic Empire State Building. Today, the Malkin empire is overseen by Blumenthal's brother-in-law Scott Malkin.
Richard Blumenthal has been serving as the senior US senator from Connecticut since 2011. Prior to this, he was the Attorney General of Connecticut from 1991 to 2011 and a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1985 to 1987. Earlier in his career, Blumenthal was part of the US Marine Corps Reserve and worked in private law practice.
Early Life and Education
Richard Blumenthal was born on February 13, 1946, in New York City to Jewish parents, Jane and Martin. His father was a German immigrant, and his mother hailed from Nebraska. He has a brother named David, who became a doctor and the president of the Commonwealth Fund. Blumenthal was educated at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, followed by Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1967. During his time at Harvard, he interned as a reporter for The Washington Post in London and was selected for a Fiske Fellowship, enabling him to study at Trinity College and the University of Cambridge. He later earned his JD from Yale Law School in 1973.
Military Service
During the Vietnam War, Blumenthal received five draft deferments for educational and occupational reasons. Eventually, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve in 1970, serving in various units in Washington, DC, and Connecticut until 1976. He attained the rank of sergeant.
Career Beginnings in Law and Politics
Post-law school, Blumenthal started his career performing administrative and clerical work for notable Washington, DC figures, including Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff and Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun. He later became a partner in the law firms Cummings & Lockwood and Silver, Golub & Sandak. From 1977 to 1981, Blumenthal served as the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. He then formed and chaired the Citizens Crime Commission of Connecticut and volunteered as counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Additionally, Blumenthal served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1985 to 1987.
Attorney General of Connecticut
In 1990, Blumenthal was elected Attorney General of Connecticut, a position he held until 2011. During his tenure, he tackled issues ranging from interstate air pollution to online sexual predation. Blumenthal led significant lawsuits against major entities such as the tobacco industry, Microsoft, and Countrywide Financial. He also spearheaded legal actions relating to the Big East football schools' dispute with the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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US Senator
Blumenthal announced his candidacy for the US Senate seat held by Chris Dodd upon Dodd's retirement in early 2010. He won the election in November 2010, defeating Linda McMahon with 55% of the vote. He became the senior senator from Connecticut in 2013 following Joe Lieberman's retirement. Blumenthal was reelected in 2016 and again in 2022.
In the Senate, Blumenthal collaborated with Senator Mark Kirk to eliminate pensions for Congress members convicted of felonies. He also worked with Representative John Conyers Jr. to file a lawsuit against Donald Trump for constitutional violations. Following the US Capitol attack in 2021, Blumenthal urged Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.
Political Positions
As a lifelong Democrat, Blumenthal supports progressive causes, including women's rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrant rights. He is a vocal critic of arbitration clauses and class action waivers. In 2019, Blumenthal co-introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act, aimed at creating child care jobs and ensuring universal access to high-quality preschool programs. He is also a strong advocate for gun control.
Personal Life
Richard Blumenthal married Cynthia Malkin, daughter of real estate investor Peter L. Malkin, in June 1982. Blumenthal and Cynthia, both Harvard alumni, have four children, including Matt, who was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2018.
