Who is Michael Steele? He is an American politician, attorney, and political commentator who served as the first African-American chairperson of the Republican National Committee (RNC) from 2009 to 2011. He is also a regular contributor to online magazine The Root and a political analyst for MSNBC.
Michael Steele Profile Summary
| Name | Michael Stephen Steele |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | October 19, 1958 |
| Place of birth | Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, U.S. |
| Education | Johns Hopkins University (BA), Georgetown University (JD) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Andrea Derritt |
| Children | Michael Jr. and Drew |
| Occupation | Politician, attorney, political commentator |
| Net worth | Estimated at $3 million |
How Old is Michael Steele in 2024?
Michael Steele will be 66 years old in 2024. He was born on October 19, 1958, at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He was adopted as an infant by William and Maebell Steele, who raised him in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, D.C. His father died when he was four years old, and his mother later remarried John Turner, a truck driver.
Michael Steele Family Status
Michael Steele is married to Andrea Derritt, a pediatrician, since 1985. They have two sons, Michael Jr. and Drew, who are both college graduates. Michael Jr. works as a software engineer, and Drew is a law student.
Michael Steele Relationship Status
Michael Steele is happily married to his wife of 36 years, Andrea Derritt. They met at a party in 1984, when he was a law student at Georgetown University and she was a medical student at Howard University. They dated for a year before getting married in a Catholic ceremony. They live in Largo, Maryland, with their two dogs, Sasha and Barkley.
Michael Steele Biography & Career
Michael Steele graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. He then worked as a corporate securities associate at the international law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. He later enrolled at Georgetown University Law Center, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1991. He also studied at the Augustinian College in Rome and the Villanova University School of Law.
Steele began his political career in 1995, when he was elected as the chair of the Prince George’s County Republican Central Committee. He then co-founded the Republican Leadership Council, a political action committee that aimed to promote a “fiscally conservative and socially inclusive” agenda. In 2000, he became the chair of the Maryland Republican Party, the first African-American to hold that position.
In 2002, Steele ran for lieutenant governor of Maryland on the ticket with Robert Ehrlich, the former U.S. representative. They won the election, making Steele the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland. As lieutenant governor, Steele chaired the Minority Business Enterprise task force, which advocated for expanding affirmative action in the corporate sector. He also focused on issues such as education, health care, economic development, and public safety.
In 2006, Steele ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Paul Sarbanes, a Democrat. He faced Ben Cardin, a veteran congressman, in the general election. Despite receiving endorsements from prominent figures such as Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey, and Mike Tyson, Steele lost the race by 10 percentage points. He was criticized by some Republicans for being too moderate and distancing himself from President George W. Bush, who had low approval ratings at the time.
From 2007 to 2009, Steele served as the chair of GOPAC, a 527 organization that trains and supports Republican candidates in state and local elections. He also made frequent appearances as a political pundit on Fox News and other media outlets. In 2009, he ran for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee, the governing body of the Republican Party. He won the election, becoming the first African-American to lead the RNC. He vowed to revitalize the party and reach out to minority and young voters.
However, Steele’s tenure as RNC chair was marred by controversies and criticisms. He faced allegations of mismanagement, overspending, and ethical violations. He also made several gaffes and controversial statements that alienated some party members and donors. He clashed with the Tea Party movement, a conservative grassroots movement that emerged in opposition to President Barack Obama’s policies. He also failed to deliver on his promise of winning back the majority in Congress in the 2010 midterm elections, although the Republicans did gain 63 seats in the House of Representatives and six seats in the Senate.
In 2011, Steele ran for a second term as RNC chair, but he was defeated by Reince Priebus, the former chair of the Wisconsin Republican Party. Steele then joined MSNBC as a political analyst, where he often criticized the Trump administration and the direction of the Republican Party. He also became a regular columnist for The Root, an online magazine that focuses on African-American culture and politics. In 2018, he became a senior fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.
In 2020, Steele formally endorsed Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, over Donald Trump, the Republican incumbent. He also appeared in an advertisement aired by The Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans. He said he was disappointed and disgusted by Trump’s leadership and the Republican Party’s complicity. He also said he hoped to restore the principles and values of the party he once served.
Michael Steele Height, Weight, and Body Stats
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 210 pounds |
| Body type | Athletic |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
How Much Will The Net Worth Of Michael Steele Be In 2024?
Michael Steele’s net worth is estimated at $3 million as of 2021. He has earned his wealth from his various careers as a politician, attorney, and political commentator. He has also received income from his book sales, speaking engagements, and media appearances. His net worth is expected to increase in the future, as he continues to work as a political analyst and a senior fellow.
Conclusion
Michael Steele is a prominent figure in American politics, who has made history as the first African-American to serve as the lieutenant governor of Maryland and the chair of the Republican National Committee. He is also a respected attorney, a prolific political commentator, and a senior fellow at Brown University. He has been married to his wife, Andrea, for 36 years, and they have two sons, Michael Jr. and Drew. He is currently a vocal critic of Donald Trump and a supporter of Joe Biden. He has a net worth of $3 million, which is likely to grow in the coming years.
FAQs
Q: When and where was Michael Steele born?
A: Michael Steele was born on October 19, 1958, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
Q: What is Michael Steele’s political party?
A: Michael Steele is a Republican, although he has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the party.
Q: What are some of the positions that Michael Steele has held in his political career?
A: Michael Steele has served as the chair of the Prince George’s County Republican Central Committee, the chair of the Maryland Republican Party, the lieutenant governor of Maryland, the chair of GOPAC, and the chair of the Republican National Committee.
Q: What are some of the media outlets that Michael Steele works for or contributes to?
A: Michael Steele works as a political analyst for MSNBC and a columnist for The Root. He also makes appearances on other shows such as The Colbert Report and Real Time with Bill Maher.
Q: What are some of the books that Michael Steele has written or co-written?
A: Michael Steele has written or co-written three books: The Recovering Politician’s Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis (2012), Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda (2010), and The Recovering Politician’s Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis (2012).