Net Worth Ranker
What Is Rod Blagojevich Net Worth’ Net Worth?
Rod Blagojevich, an American former politician and convicted felon, has a net worth of $100,000. This financial standing reflects the consequences of his legal troubles and subsequent imprisonment, despite a career that saw him rise to the governorship of Illinois.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 10, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, to Serbian immigrants Radislav and Mila Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich’s early life was marked by the necessity to contribute to the family’s income. He took on various odd jobs, including working as a shoeshiner, pizza delivery boy, and meat packer. He initially attended Lane Technical High School before transferring to Foreman High School. For his higher education, he spent two years at the University of Tampa before transferring to Northwestern University, where he earned a BA in history in 1979. Continuing his academic pursuits, Blagojevich obtained a JD from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California, in 1983. Specific financial details regarding the cost of his education or earnings from his early jobs are not publicly available.
Career Beginnings and Political Ascent
Blagojevich’s foray into politics began with a clerkship for Chicago alderman Edward Vrdolyak. Following this, he served as an assistant prosecutor under Richard M. Daley. In 1992, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in the 33rd state house district, marking his first significant step into elected office. Four years later, instead of seeking reelection to the state house, he successfully ran for Illinois’ 5th congressional district in the US House of Representatives. He secured reelection to this seat two additional times, solidifying his presence in national politics. Details about his salary during his time in the Illinois House of Representatives (1992-1996) and the US House of Representatives (1997-2003) are matters of public record, though specific figures are not provided within the constraints of this request.
Governor of Illinois (2003-2009)
In 2002, Rod Blagojevich launched his campaign for governor of Illinois, capitalizing on the influence of his father-in-law, alderman Richard Mell. He won the general election, defeating Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, and became the 40th Governor of Illinois. He secured reelection in 2006, overcoming state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. During his time as governor, Blagojevich enacted several pieces of progressive legislation, including death penalty reform, a statewide smoking ban, and a state Earned Income Tax Credit, alongside expansions of health programs like KidCare. He also signed a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. The governor’s salary during his tenure was a matter of public record, fluctuating slightly over the years; the exact figures for each year are publicly accessible but not included here. His administration’s spending proposals and relationships with other lawmakers drew criticism, but specific financial figures related to these criticisms are not detailed here. Rod Blagojevich’s political career and subsequent legal troubles significantly impacted his net worth.
Impeachment, Conviction, and Imprisonment
In December 2008, Blagojevich was arrested by federal agents and charged with corruption, including threatening to halt state dealings with Bank of America and conspiring to commit pay-to-play schemes, most notably involving the US Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. An FBI recording captured Blagojevich stating, “I’ve got this thing, and it’s fucking golden. I’m just not giving it up for fucking nothing.” In January 2009, he was impeached by the Illinois House with a vote of 114-1, removed from office, and barred from holding public office in Illinois again. Indicted in April 2009, he was convicted in August 2010 of lying to the FBI, with 23 other federal charges resulting in hung verdicts. During a retrial in 2011, he was found guilty on 17 additional charges, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. In March 2012, he was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. Serving eight years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado, Blagojevich’s sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump in 2020. The legal fees associated with his defense and the forfeiture of potential future earnings contributed significantly to the decline in Rod Blagojevich’s net worth. The specific amount he had to spend in legal fees is not detailed here.
Media Endeavors
Following his removal from office in 2009, Blagojevich engaged in various media ventures. He starred in the musical “Rod Blagojevich Superstar” by the Second City, hosted a weekly radio talk show on 890 WLS, and released his autobiography, “The Governor: The Truth Behind the Political Scandal That Continues to Rock the Nation.” In 2010, he competed on “The Celebrity Apprentice.” After his release from prison in 2020, he returned to WLS radio with a political podcast, “The Lightning Rod.” The financial gains from these media endeavors likely contributed to his income, but specific figures for earnings from the musical, radio show, book sales, or “The Celebrity Apprentice” are not publicly available. While these activities provided some income, they were insufficient to offset the financial losses incurred due to his legal troubles and lost career opportunities. The lack of detailed financial data from these ventures makes it challenging to accurately assess their impact on Rod Blagojevich’s net worth.
Marriage and Family
Rod Blagojevich is married to Patricia, the daughter of former Chicago alderman Richard Mell, who served as the First Lady of Illinois during his governorship. They have two daughters. In 2009, Patricia participated in the reality television show “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!” following her husband’s impeachment. Information on Patricia Blagojevich’s earnings from “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!” are not available. While Patricia’s activities contributed to the family’s public profile, the most significant factors affecting the Blagojevich family’s financial situation remain Rod Blagojevich’s legal issues and their repercussions. Rod Blagojevich’s net worth reflects this combination of factors, painting a picture of a once-prominent politician whose career and finances were severely impacted by his legal troubles.
