Jerome Powell Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Investigation, Salary, Net Worth
Jerome Powell Biography
Jerome H. Powell is the 16th Chair of the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States. He was born on February 4, 1953, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. While at Georgetown, he served as editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Law Journal.
After law school, Powell worked as an attorney in New York City before moving into investment banking. There, he became a partner at The Carlyle Group, building a substantial financial career. He also served as Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary for Domestic Finance at the U.S. Treasury under President George H.W. Bush.
In 2012, President Barack Obama appointed him to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Then in 2018, President Donald Trump nominated him as Fed Chair, and he was confirmed by the Senate. President Joe Biden reappointed Powell in 2022 for a second term running through May 2026.
Powell is known for leading monetary policy during major events, including the COVID-19 crisis and a lengthy inflation battle. He is also one of the wealthiest Fed chairs, with an estimated net worth between $20 million and $55 million.
Recently, Powell defended Federal Reserve independence amid a U.S. Department of Justice criminal investigation related to statements on a headquarters renovation project. He says legal pressure aims to influence monetary policy, not accountability.
Powell is married to Elissa Ann Leonard, and they have three children. He continues to shape U.S. economic policy while emphasizing data-driven decisions and central bank autonomy.
Jerome Powell Age | How Old is Jerome Powell?
Jerome Powell is 72 years old as of January 2026, reflecting decades of experience in finance and public service. He was born on February 4, 1953, in Washington, D.C. As the Chair of the Federal Reserve, Powell uses his age and experience to guide U.S. monetary policy. Moreover, his leadership continues shaping interest rates, inflation control, and economic stability in the United States.
Jerome Powell Height | How Tall is Jerome Powell?
Jerome H. Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. His height aligns with his composed and authoritative public presence. While physical traits rarely define leadership, Powell’s stature complements his calm demeanor. Additionally, he remains widely recognized for guiding U.S. monetary policy, interest rates, and inflation control with steady confidence.
Jerome Powell Education 2026
Jerome H. Powell graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School before college. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in politics from Princeton University in 1975, where he wrote a senior thesis on social change. Then, he pursued legal training and earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Georgetown University Law Center in 1979. At Georgetown, he served as editor-in-chief of the Georgetown Law Journal, highlighting academic leadership. Although he did not study economics formally, Powell’s education in law and politics bolstered his career in law, investment banking, the U.S. Treasury, and later leadership of the Federal Reserve.
Jerome Powell Wife | Elissa Ann Leonard
Jerome H. Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, has been married to Elissa Ann Leonard since September 1985. They met before his rise in finance and public service, and they married at the Washington National Cathedral. Together, they have three children and live in Chevy Chase Village, Maryland. Elissa serves as chair of the board of managers for the village, helping guide local community decisions. Their stable partnership supports Powell’s leadership in U.S. monetary policy and economic stability.
Jerome Powell Children | Kids
Jerome H. Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, has three children with his wife Elissa Ann Leonard. Their children are Samuel (Sam), Lucy, and Susie Powell, and they live together in Chevy Chase Village, Maryland. Powell often credits his children’s support for helping him navigate the pressures of leading U.S. monetary policy and Federal Reserve decisions. While he keeps their lives mostly private, his family plays a key role in his personal story and public leadership journey.
Jerome Powell Family | Parents, Siblings & Fed Chair Background
Jerome H. Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, grew up in a close-knit family in Washington, D.C. His father, Jerome Powell Sr., worked as a lawyer, while his mother, Patricia (née Hayden), served as a mathematician and statistician. He has five siblings named Susan, Matthew, Tia, Libby, and Monica Powell. Together, they shaped his early values of education, discipline, and public service. Furthermore, his family background contributes to his grounded leadership style in U.S. monetary policy.
Jerome Powell DOJ Criminal Investigation 2026 | News
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell faces a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice tied to his June congressional testimony on the Fed’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project. The DOJ served grand jury subpoenas threatening a criminal indictment over alleged inconsistencies in Powell’s statements about renovation scope and costs. Powell called this action “unprecedented” and politically motivated, asserting it targets the Fed’s independence in setting interest rates rather than genuine legal concerns. Critics warn the probe risks undermining U.S. monetary policy credibility and central bank autonomy. Lawmakers and former Fed leaders have voiced alarm about the potential impact on both markets and institutional trust.
Jerome Powell Speech on DOJ Investigation 2026
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell delivered a major speech in January 2026, directly addressing the Department of Justice criminal investigation into his congressional testimony about the Fed’s renovation project. He called the subpoenas and threats of indictment “unprecedented” and insisted that the Fed must remain independent from political interference. Powell clarified that he and the Fed set interest rates based on economic data, not political preference, and he reaffirmed his commitment to the Fed’s dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Furthermore, he warned that legal pressure on the central bank could weaken monetary policy credibility. Powell’s remarks signaled firm defense of Federal Reserve autonomy amid intense scrutiny.
Trump‑Powell News 2026: DOJ Investigation, Fed Chair Feud & Market Impact
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is at the center of intense Trump‑Powell news in January 2026 as the Trump administration escalates pressure on the Fed chair. The Department of Justice served grand jury subpoenas and threatened a criminal indictment related to Powell’s congressional testimony about the Fed’s $2.5 billion renovation project. Powell says this legal threat is a pretext to force the Fed to cut interest rates to match political preferences.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for not lowering rates aggressively and called his leadership ineffective. Meanwhile, Trump claims he has no direct knowledge of the DOJ action. This conflict has sparked widespread debate about Federal Reserve independence, market volatility, and the future of U.S. monetary policy.
Jerome Powell Salary 2026
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell earns an annual salary tied to the Executive Schedule Level I pay scale set by U.S. law. Current data shows his base salary at about $250,600 in 2025 and roughly $253,100 in 2026 after federal pay adjustments. Despite this, Powell has publicly described his compensation as around $190,000 per year and fair for his responsibilities. His salary reflects public service leadership rather than private‑sector executive compensation.
Jerome Powell Net Worth 2026
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell has an estimated net worth between $20 million and $55 million in 2025 and 2026 based on his public disclosures and financial records. Much of his wealth stems from his career in investment banking and private equity, especially his years at The Carlyle Group prior to public service. Although his government salary remains modest, Powell ranks among the wealthiest Fed chairs in modern history, reflecting diversified investments and long‑term financial planning.
