Net Worth Ranker
What Is Condoleezza Rice’s Net Worth?
Condoleezza Rice, a prominent figure in American politics, academia, and diplomacy, has accumulated a net worth estimated at $12 million. This wealth is derived from various sources, including her academic career at Stanford University, her service on corporate boards, and her tenure in government.
Condoleezza Rice’s Income Sources and Salary Details
Rice’s annual income is multifaceted. A significant portion comes from her position at Stanford University, where her salary is $305,000 per year. In addition to her academic salary, Rice earns substantial income from serving on the boards of directors of various companies.
For instance, in 2019, her service on the board of Dropbox yielded $405,000. This compensation comprised a base salary of $105,000 and $300,000 in equity. According to regulatory filings, Rice holds at least $4 million worth of Dropbox stock and has sold approximately $1 million worth of shares since joining the board. Furthermore, her role on the board of CS.ai contributes an additional $200,000 to $300,000 annually to her income.
Early Life and Academic Career Beginnings
Born on November 14, 1954, in Birmingham, Alabama, Condoleezza Rice is the only child of John, a minister and dean of students, and Angelena, a high school teacher. Her upbringing took place in Birmingham’s Titusville neighborhood and later on the campus of Tuscaloosa’s Stillman College, where her father was employed.
In 1967, the family relocated to Denver, Colorado, where Rice enrolled at St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic school. She graduated at the age of 16 and subsequently attended the University of Denver, earning a B.A. in political science at 19. In 1975, she obtained her M.A. in the same discipline from the University of Notre Dame. During the Carter administration in 1977, Rice began her career with an internship at the State Department. In 1979, she pursued Russian studies at Moscow State University and interned at the RAND Corporation in California. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Denver in 1981. Concurrently, she was a fellow at Stanford University’s Arms Control and Disarmament Program, marking the start of her long-term association with the institution.
Academic Career and Entrance into the White House
From 1981 to 1987, Rice served as an assistant professor of political science at Stanford University. She then became an associate professor from 1987 to 1993, lecturing on the Soviet Union. Her academic work garnered the attention of Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Advisor during the Gerald Ford administration. Scowcroft recruited Rice to the National Security Council as his Soviet expert when he returned to the White House under President George H.W. Bush. From 1989 to 1991, she held the position of Director of Soviet and East European Affairs, contributing to the development of policies that facilitated German reunification. In 1993, Rice was appointed provost of Stanford University, becoming the first woman and African-American to hold the position.
National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Roles
Following the presidential election of 2000, Rice was appointed National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush, making her the first woman to hold the role. She participated actively in terrorism discussions prior to the 9/11 attacks, even planning to discuss a new national security policy on the day of the attacks. In the aftermath of 9/11, Rice met with CIA Director George Tenet to confirm the administration’s approval of torture in interrogating suspected Al Qaeda members. In 2003, she became a prominent advocate for the invasion of Iraq.
Upon his reelection in 2004, President Bush nominated Rice as his next Secretary of State, succeeding Colin Powell. In this capacity, Rice championed the expansion of democratic governments in the Middle East, striving to restructure US diplomacy through her “Transformational Diplomacy” agenda. Rice also played a crucial role in addressing nuclear threats from Iran and North Korea. During this period, she traveled extensively, setting a record for the most miles traveled as Secretary of State.
Private Sector Involvement and Board Memberships
In addition to her public service career, Rice has been a member of the boards of directors of numerous companies, including the Carnegie Corporation, Chevron Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Transamerica Corporation, and Dropbox. In 1992, she established the Center for a New Generation, an after-school program aimed at enhancing high school graduation rates in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park, California.
Post-Bush Career and Academic Pursuits
Following her tenure in the Bush administration, Rice returned to the academic sphere and became affiliated with the Council on Foreign Relations. She resumed her position as a political science professor at Stanford University, joined the faculty of the Graduate School of Business, and was appointed director of the institution’s Global Center for Business and the Economy. In 2012, Rice was admitted to the Augusta National Golf Club as one of the first two female members, alongside financier Darla Moore. The following year, she was selected as one of the inaugural members of the College Football Playoff selection committee. In 2020, Rice succeeded Thomas W. Gilligan as director of Stanford’s Hoover Institution.
Musical Pursuits
Rice has been playing the piano since the age of three. At 15, she performed Mozart with the Denver Symphony, and she regularly played with a chamber music group during her tenure as Secretary of State. She has performed at various embassies, diplomatic events, and benefit concerts. In 2002, at the National Medal of Arts Awards, Rice accompanied cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a performance of Brahms.
Real Estate Investments and Holdings
In 1998, Rice, along with two investors, acquired a home in Palo Alto, California, for $500,000. They sold the property in 2017 for $2.3 million. From 2008 to 2018, she owned another home in Palo Alto, which she purchased for $1.375 million and sold for $1.96 million. The buyer was Stanford University.
