being the longest-serving U.S. Senator from Kentucky in history. His full name is Addison Mitchell McConnell Jr.
Mitch McConnell is the Senate Minority leader, caused concern about his health when he stopped speaking and stared blankly at a microphone for 20 seconds on Wednesday. His fellow Republican Senators helped him by grabbing his elbows and asking if he would like to return to his office.
The video of the incident raised doubts about McConnell’s ability to lead Republicans in the Senate. This is especially true as he faces an extremely difficult re-election in 2024. McConnell is one of the most powerful and influential figures in American politics. He has been shaping the legislative agenda for more than a decade and confirmed hundreds of conservative judges during the tenure of former President Donald Trump.
McConnell returned a few moments later to the podium and told reporters he felt "fine" and was able do his job. He joked about being "sandbagged", by Joe Biden who had called him earlier in the day to check up on him. He didn't explain the reason for his pause, or whether it was due to a medical condition. This article covers Mitch McConnell’s bio, age, career, family, health condition, and net worth.
Mitch McConnell Biography
Mitch McConnell is a popular American Politician. He was born on February 20, 1942 in
Sheffield, Alabama, U.S. and he is 81 years old as of 2023. Addison Mitchell McConnell, III is an American politician.
| Name | Mitchell McConnell |
| Full name | Addison Mitchell McConnell Jr. |
| Born | February 20, 1942 (age 81) |
| Birthplace | Sheffield, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Sherrill Redmon (m. 1968; div. 1980), Elaine Chao (m. 1993) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Education | University of Louisville (BA), University of Kentucky (JD) |
| Net worth | $22.5 million (estimate) |
He has been serving as the senior United States Senator since 1985. McConnell is the leader of Senate Republican Conference a
nd Senate Minority Leader from 2021. He previously held this position between 2007 and 2015. McConnell was Senate Majority leader from 2015 to 2020. His nationality is American, and his ethnicity is Scots-Irish and English. His religion is Christianity, and his zodiac sign is Pisces. Currently, he lives in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Mitch McConnell completed his schooling at a DuPont Manual High School, Louisville, Kentucky, and he completed his higher education from “The University of Louisville, Kentucky (B.A. in Political Science),” and “The University of Kentucky, Kentucky (Doctor of Jurisprudence, J.D.).” He has a degree in Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.).
Mitch McConnell: Previous Health Issues
McConnell has not been the only one whose health has caused concern. In March, McConnell suffered a concussion, and a broken bone in his rib, after he fell at a Washington, D.C. hotel, where he attended a fundraiser. He spent five days in the hospital, and underwent physical therapy inpatient for over two weeks. He didn't return to the Senate before mid-April.
McConnell has also had polio in the past, contracted at age two. His mother massaged his legs daily for two years to help him recover from the disease. His polio experiences inspired him to become a public servant and overcome adversity.
McConnell also had a number of surgeries, including a double bypass in 2003, shoulder replacements in 2019 and skin cancer removals in 2020. McConnell has been seen on many occasions with bandages and bruises on his face and hands, which he attributes to minor injuries or irritation of the skin.
McConnell: Health for the GOP (Grand Old Party)
McConnell's well-being is not just a personal issue, but also one that has political implications. He is the Senate Republican leader and plays a key role in determining the strategy and agenda of the party, and negotiating with Democrats and the White House. He also has to maintain unity and discipline within his caucus which is often divided over key issues like immigration, infrastructure and voting rights.
McConnell's resignation or retirement would lead to a leadership vacuum in the GOP and a battle for succession. John Thune from South Dakota, John Cornyn from Texas, Roy Blunt from Missouri and Tom Cotton in Arkansas are some of the candidates who could replace him. McConnell is the only one who has McConnell's level of influence, experience and popularity.
His health may also affect his chances of re-election. McConnell has faced a number of challenges in previous campaigns from both Democrats as well as Republicans, but has always won by a large margin. Some voters might question his stamina and fitness to serve another six year term in the Senate.
Is Mitch McConnell up for re-election this year?
McConnell Age, Height, and Weight
McConnell is 81 years old. He is 5’10,” and his body weight is 70 kg. He has grey hair and hazel green eyes.
McConnell Family
McConnell's parents were Julia Odene Dean (Mother) and Addison Mitchell McConnell (Father). When McConnell were eight years old, his family moved to Augusta in Georgia where his father was stationed. He has 3 daughters, Elly McConnell, Porter McConnell, and Claire McConnell.
McConnell Personal Life
McConnell is a Southern Baptist, baptized at age 8. He was married to his first wife, Sherrill Redmon, from 1968 to 1980 and had three daughters, Porter, Eleanor (Elly), and Claire. Porter McConnell is the campaign director for Take on Wall Street, a left-wing advocacy coalition.
Following her divorce from McConnell, Redmon became a feminist scholar at Smith College and director of the Sophia Smith Collection. His second wife, whom he married in 1993, is Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump.
In May 2019, McConnell's brother-in-law Gordon Hartogensis, who is married to Chao's sister Grace, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a part of the Labor Department.
McConnell Career
McConnell was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984. He is also the second Kentuckian to be a party leader in the Senate. McConnell served as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the 1998 and 2000 elections cycles. He was first elected Minority Whip during the 108th Congress. In 2004, he was re-elected. He was elected Senate Minority Leader in November 2006. This position he held from 2006 until Republicans gained control of the Senate.
McConnell has conservative political views, despite his early political career as a pragmatic or moderate Republican. He was a leader in opposing stricter campaign financing laws. This ended in the U.S. Citizens United v. FEC, a 2010 Supreme Court decision, partially overturned Bipartisan Campaign Reform (McCain-Feingold). McConnell used the Filibuster to block Republican support for many major presidential initiatives under the Obama Administration. He also blocked several of President Obama.
During Trump's administration, under his leadership, the Senate Republican majority passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018; the First Step Act, and the Great McConnell used the "nuclear" option to remove the 60-vote threshold for Supreme Court nominees.
His predecessor Harry Reid had already eliminated the filibuster requirement for all other presidential appointments. Trump then McConnell supported many of Trump’s domestic and international policies but were critical of Trump’s attempts at overturning the 2020 presidential elections.
McConnell Controversies
- His brief period in the Military has been a controversial topic.
- Many politicians have asked questions about it.
- Mitch McConnell, after President Donald Trump made racial remarks on Twitter, backed Trump, saying, "Trump's not racist."
McConnell: Politics Journey
| 1975 | Acting United States Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs |
| 1977 | Elected the Jefferson County Judge/Executive, the former top political office in Jefferson County, Kentucky |
| 1981 | Re-elected as the Jefferson County Judge |
| 1984 | Elected to the U.S. Senate defeating Democratic opponent, Walter "Dee" Huddleston. |
| 1990 | Elected to the U.S. Senate again |
| 1996 | Re-elected to the Senate |
| 1999 | Chairperson of the Senate Rules Committee |
| 2002 | Re-elected to the Senate |
| 2007 | Senate Minority Leader |
| 2008 | Re-elected to the Senate |
| 2014 | Re-elected to the Senate |
| 2015 | Senate Majority Leader |
Awards/Achievements
- Tax Fighter Award (2014)
- Building Independence Award (2015)
- Faith & Freedom Award (2018)
- Excellence in Leadership Award (2019)
- Honorary degree by Hillsdale College (2019)
McConnell Net Worth
McConnell’s estimated net worth is $22.8 million, and monthly salary is $193,400/Year.
Facts
- He was just 2 years old when a polio infection paralyzed his left leg. He was treated at Warm Spring Institute in Georgia. He said once, "When my father was in World War II and I was a kid, I contracted polio." My family nearly went bankrupt, even though I recovered.
- McConnell and his family moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 1956.
- He was the president of the College of Arts and Sciences student council and a Phi Kappa Tau member.
- McConnell, then 22, became an intern in 1964 for John Sherman Cooper, a senator. Cooper inspired McConnell to run for Senate.
- He was President of the Student Bar Association at the University of Kentucky when he studied there.
- He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in July 1967. He was medically unfit, however, after being diagnosed as having optic neuritis. He was discharged on honorable grounds.
- He worked in Washington D.C. as an assistant to Senator Marlow Cook from 1968 to 1970.
- McConnell was listed by Time magazine as one of the top 100 influential people in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
FAQs
Who is Mitch McConnell?
Mitch McConnell is an 81-year-old famous American politician. He is popular for being the longest-serving U.S. Senator from Kentucky in history.
What is Mitch McConnell’s age?
He is 81 years old.
What is Mitch McConnell’s net worth?
McConnell’s estimated net worth is $22.8 million, and his monthly salary is $193,400/year.
What is Mitch McConnell’s wife's name?
His first wife’s name is Sherrill Redmon, and his second wife's name is Elaine Chao.