# Michael Steele Bio, Age, Wife, Children, Political Career, MS NOW & Net Worth
Canonical: https://thebiographybytes.com/michael-steele/
Published: 2026-11-11T19:47:41+00:00
Updated: 2026-11-11T19:47:42+00:00
## Who is Michael Steele? \| Biography
Michael Steele is an **[American political commentator]()**, **attorney**, **former Republican politician**, and **[television host]()**. He is best known for serving as chairman of the Republican National Committee and co-hosting *The Weeknight* on MS NOW. Steele previously served as Maryland's lieutenant governor, becoming the first African American elected to statewide office in Maryland. His professional career includes law, political leadership, public policy, television commentary, and podcasting.
Born Michael Stephen Steele on October 19, 1958, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, he grew up in Washington, D.C. His adoptive parents were William and Maebell Steele. Following his father's death, his mother raised the family while working as a laundress. Steele graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School before attending Johns Hopkins University. He earned his undergraduate degree in international relations in 1981 and later completed a law degree at Georgetown University.
Steele entered Republican politics after establishing his legal career. He became chairman of the Maryland Republican Party in 2000 and was elected lieutenant governor in 2002 alongside Governor Robert Ehrlich. He served from January 2003 until January 2007. In January 2009, Steele became the first African American chairman of the Republican National Committee. He led the organization during the 2010 midterm elections, when Republicans gained 63 seats in the House of Representatives.
After leaving the RNC in 2011, Steele became a political analyst and commentator. He joined MSNBC and later co-hosted *The Weekend* before moving to *The Weeknight*. His current co-hosts are Symone Sanders Townsend and Luke Russert. Steele also hosts *The Michael Steele Podcast*, where he discusses American politics and government.
## Michael Steele Age \| How Old is Michael Steele?
Michael Steele is **68 years old**. He was born on October 19, 1958, at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland. Steele grew up in Washington, D.C., where he attended Catholic schools before enrolling at Johns Hopkins University. He completed his undergraduate studies in 1981, when he was 22. Steele was 44 when he became Maryland's lieutenant governor in January 2003. He later became chairman of the Republican National Committee at age 50. His political career continued through the 2010 midterm elections before he transitioned into national television commentary. Steele celebrated his 68th birthday in October 2026.
## Michael Steele Height \| How Tall is Michael Steele?
Michael Steele is listed at **6 feet 4 inches tall, approximately 193 centimeters**, in his IMDb biography. Steele has spent much of his professional career participating in political events, television interviews, and public discussions. His work as a former lieutenant governor and Republican National Committee chairman required frequent appearances at political conventions and public meetings. He later became a familiar television personality through political analysis on MSNBC and MS NOW. His physical measurement appears in entertainment biographical records, although his official political biography concentrates on education, public service, and professional achievements. Height has no documented connection to his political responsibilities or television commentary.
## Michael Steele Ethnicity \| African American Heritage
Michael Steele is **African American**. He was born in Maryland and adopted by William and Maebell Steele during infancy. His mother was born into a sharecropping family in South Carolina before moving north. Steele grew up in Washington, D.C., where his family experienced financial difficulties following his adoptive father's death. His background became an important part of his public political identity. He made history in Maryland when he became the state's first African American elected statewide official. In 2009, he became the first Black chairman of the Republican National Committee. His achievements represented significant milestones in the history of the Republican Party.
## Michael Steele Education \| Schools, University and Law Degree
Michael Steele attended Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., before enrolling at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in international relations. Following graduation, Steele entered the Order of St. Augustine and studied for the Roman Catholic priesthood at a seminary associated with Villanova University. He eventually decided against becoming a priest and pursued a legal career instead. Steele attended Georgetown University Law Center and graduated in 1991 with a Juris Doctor degree. His education prepared him for professional work involving corporate law, public policy, and government institutions. He later became involved in university fellowships and leadership programs.
## Michael Steele Wife \| Andrea Steele
Michael Steele's wife is **Andrea Derritt Steele**, a former banking executive. The couple married on October 12, 1985, and have maintained their marriage for more than four decades. Andrea previously worked in the banking industry and held a senior position at Riggs Bank in Washington, D.C. She also studied at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. The couple established their family while Michael pursued his law and political careers. Andrea has generally maintained a lower public profile than her husband, although she accompanied him during important political events. Their marriage began before Steele entered statewide Republican politics and continued throughout his service as lieutenant governor and RNC chairman.
## Michael Steele Children \| Sons
Michael Steele and Andrea Steele have **two sons, Michael Steele II and Drew Steele**. Their children grew up while Steele pursued a demanding career involving legal practice, Republican politics, and public service. His political responsibilities included serving as Maryland's lieutenant governor and chairman of the Republican National Committee. The family has generally maintained privacy concerning the sons' personal activities. Steele occasionally discusses family values and parenting when addressing social policy and political questions. However, detailed private information about his children is not necessary for understanding his professional history. His two sons are distinct from his sister and other members of his extended family.
## Michael Steele Family \| Parents and Sister
Michael Steele was adopted during infancy by William and Maebell Steele. His adoptive father died when Michael was young, leaving his mother responsible for supporting the family. Maebell worked as a laundress before marrying John Turner, a truck driver. Steele grew up in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, D.C., alongside his sister Monica Turner. Monica later became a physician and was previously married to former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. Steele has frequently discussed his mother's experiences and work ethic when explaining his political views. His upbringing influenced his early interest in opportunity, education, economic independence, and government policy.
## Michael Steele Career \| Maryland Lieutenant Governor and RNC Chairman
Michael Steele began his professional career in law after graduating from Georgetown University in 1991. He worked at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton before establishing his own business. His involvement in Republican politics expanded when he became chairman of the Maryland Republican Party in 2000. In 2002, he joined Robert Ehrlich's gubernatorial ticket and won election as Maryland's lieutenant governor. Steele served from 2003 until 2007, focusing on education, economic development, minority business opportunities, and community organizations.
Steele became chairman of the Republican National Committee on January 30, 2009. His leadership coincided with the Republican Party's substantial gains during the 2010 midterm elections. After leaving the RNC in 2011, he developed a career in television political analysis. He later co-hosted *The Weekend* and joined *The Weeknight* on MS NOW. He also expanded his political commentary through podcasting and public speaking.
## Michael Steele The Weeknight \| MS NOW Television Show
Michael Steele co-hosts *The Weeknight*, a weekday political news and commentary program on MS NOW. The program airs at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and examines presidential politics, congressional developments, national elections, and major government decisions. Steele brings experience from Republican political leadership, including his service as Maryland's lieutenant governor and RNC chairman. His perspective differs from that of co-host Symone Sanders Townsend, who previously worked in Democratic presidential campaigns.
The program launched in 2025 with Steele, Sanders Townsend, and Alicia Menendez. In June 2026, Luke Russert joined Steele and Sanders Townsend as the new third co-host. The revised hosting arrangement followed broader changes to MS NOW's weekday programming. The show combines political interviews, panel discussions, and reporting on national developments. Steele continues to discuss Republican politics, congressional strategy, and the political implications of government decisions.
## Michael Steele Republican National Committee Chairman \| 2009–2011
Michael Steele became chairman of the Republican National Committee on January 30, 2009, succeeding Mike Duncan. He was the first African American to lead the organization. His appointment followed Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election, which created significant challenges for Republican leadership. Steele focused on party organization, grassroots engagement, fundraising, and rebuilding Republican electoral strength.
During the 2010 congressional election cycle, the Republican Party gained 63 House seats and captured several governorships. Steele's chairmanship also attracted criticism involving management decisions, financial spending, and relationships with other Republican leaders. He sought another term as chairman in January 2011 but withdrew during the balloting. Reince Priebus subsequently won the chairmanship. Steele's RNC tenure remains one of the defining periods of his political career.
## Michael Steele Political Party \| Republican Views
Michael Steele built his political career as a Republican and served in senior party leadership positions. He described himself as a Lincoln Republican, emphasizing principles connected to opportunity, individual responsibility, and constitutional government. His earlier career included leadership of the Maryland Republican Party and the Republican National Committee. Steele subsequently became an outspoken critic of Donald Trump's influence within Republican politics. In 2020, he supported Joe Biden's presidential candidacy, breaking with the Republican nominee. His public political positions evolved after he left party leadership, but his historical identity remains closely connected to Republican institutions. His television commentary frequently examines changes within the party.
## Michael Steele Books and Podcast
Michael Steele has written and co-written books about politics, conservative ideas, and political leadership.
- *Right Now: A 12-Step Program for Defeating the Obama Agenda* (2010) — An examination of Republican strategy and conservative political priorities.
- *The Recovering Politician's Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis* (2013) — A collaborative publication examining political challenges and leadership.
Steele also hosts *The Michael Steele Podcast*, featuring conversations with journalists, politicians, authors, and public policy specialists. His podcast extends the political discussions he presents on television. Topics frequently include Republican leadership, congressional elections, presidential politics, and the direction of American government.
## Michael Steele and The Weeknight's 2026 Hosting Changes
Michael Steele continued co-hosting *The Weeknight* when MS NOW introduced its revised weekday schedule on June 15, 2026. The network announced that Luke Russert would join Steele and Symone Sanders Townsend. Russert replaced the earlier three-host arrangement involving Alicia Menendez, who received a separate daytime program. The changes gave *The Weeknight* a combination of perspectives from a former Republican Party chairman, a former Democratic White House adviser, and a congressional journalist.
Steele retained his established role in the 7 p.m. Eastern Time broadcast. His experience directing Republican campaigns remained particularly relevant during the 2026 midterm elections. The program continued interviewing elected officials, discussing congressional developments, and examining national political strategy. The hosting changes reflected MS NOW's effort to maintain recognizable personalities while reorganizing its programming lineup.
## Michael Steele Salary \| Annual Earnings
Michael Steele's exact annual salary at MS NOW has not been publicly verified through official contractual documents. His professional earnings come from several activities, including television commentary, podcasting, speaking engagements, and consulting. Earlier in his career, Steele worked as an attorney and held public office in Maryland. He subsequently served as chairman of the Republican National Committee before entering national television commentary. His current broadcasting position establishes a significant professional role, but the network has not publicly disclosed his individual compensation. Salary estimates published without supporting contractual evidence should not be presented as confirmed earnings.
## Michael Steele Net Worth \| Wealth and Assets
Michael Steele's exact net worth is not publicly established through a comprehensive verified financial disclosure. His career includes legal practice, business consulting, statewide political office, Republican Party leadership, television commentary, and podcasting. These activities provide identifiable sources of professional income. However, they do not reveal his complete financial circumstances. A reliable calculation would require information about investments, property holdings, debts, business interests, and other liabilities. His wife's professional banking background also does not establish his individual personal wealth. Unsupported numerical estimates should not be treated as confirmed net worth figures.
## Frequently Asked Questions
### **How old is Michael Steele?**
Michael Steele is 68 years old. He was born on October 19, 1958.
### **Who is Michael Steele's wife?**
He is married to Andrea Derritt Steele. They married in October 1985.
### **How many children does Michael Steele have?**
He has two sons, Michael Steele II and Drew Steele.
### **Was Michael Steele chairman of the Republican National Committee?**
Yes. He served as RNC chairman from January 2009 until January 2011.
### **What television show does Michael Steele host?**
He co-hosts *The Weeknight* on MS NOW with Symone Sanders Townsend and Luke Russert.
## Biography Summary Table
| Category | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Full Name | Michael Stephen Steele |
| Date of Birth | October 19, 1958 |
| Age | 68 years |
| Birthplace | Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm), IMDb-listed |
| Education | Johns Hopkins University; Georgetown University |
| Degree | BA in International Relations; JD |
| Profession | Political commentator, attorney, former politician |
| Wife | Andrea Derritt Steele |
| Marriage Date | October 12, 1985 |
| Children | Two sons |
| Sons | Michael Steele II and Drew Steele |
| Adoptive Parents | William and Maebell Steele |
| Stepfather | John Turner |
| Sister | Monica Turner |
| Political Party | Republican political background |
| Former Position | Maryland lieutenant governor |
| Years in Office | 2003–2007 |
| RNC Chairmanship | 2009–2011 |
| Television Network | MS NOW |
| Main Show | The Weeknight |
| Co-hosts | Symone Sanders Townsend and Luke Russert |
| Podcast | The Michael Steele Podcast |
| Salary | Not publicly verified |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |