Roy Cooper Biography
Roy Cooper is an American politician, lawyer, and longtime public servant. He served as the 75th Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025 and belongs to the Democratic Party. Roy Asberry Cooper III was born on June 13, 1957, in Nashville, North Carolina, United States. His parents were Beverly Batchelor Cooper, a schoolteacher, and Roy Asberry Cooper II, a lawyer and political strategist.
Cooper grew up in Nash County, North Carolina, where he attended public schools and worked on his family’s tobacco farm. Moreover, he graduated from Northern Nash High School in 1975. Later, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a prestigious scholarship. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1979. He also completed a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1982.
After finishing law school, Cooper began his legal career in North Carolina. Soon afterward, he entered politics and won election to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1986. Additionally, he later served in the North Carolina Senate, where he became Democratic Majority Leader in 1997.
In 2000, Roy Cooper was elected Attorney General of North Carolina. He served four consecutive terms and remained in office until 2017, making him the longest-serving attorney general in state history. During this time, he focused on consumer protection and law enforcement initiatives.
Cooper later achieved a major political milestone. In 2016, he defeated incumbent Republican Governor Pat McCrory and became the 75th Governor of North Carolina. Furthermore, voters reelected him in 2020, allowing him to serve two terms until 2025.
Outside politics, Roy Cooper is married to Kristin Cooper, a lawyer who served as First Lady of North Carolina. The couple also has three daughters.
Roy Cooper Age 2026 | How Old Roy Cooper?
Roy Cooper is 68 years old as of 2026. He was born on June 13, 1957, in Nashville, North Carolina, United States. Moreover, his age reflects decades of experience in American politics and public service. Cooper spent many years building a strong political career in North Carolina. Previously, he served as the 75th Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. Additionally, he worked as the state’s Attorney General for nearly 16 years, making him the longest-serving attorney general in North Carolina history.
Roy Cooper Height | How Tall is Roy Cooper?
Roy Cooper stands about 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) tall. His height gives him a balanced and professional presence during public appearances and political events. Moreover, Cooper often appears confident and approachable while addressing voters and state leaders. Throughout his career, he has focused more on leadership and policy than personal image. Nevertheless, Roy Cooper remains widely recognized as the former Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. His decades of public service highlight experience and commitment to government leadership.
Roy Cooper Political Party
Roy Cooper is a member of the Democratic Party. Throughout his career, he has represented the Democratic Party in North Carolina politics and national discussions. Moreover, Cooper built his reputation as a Democratic leader focused on education, healthcare, and economic growth. He served as the 75th Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. Before that, he worked as the North Carolina Attorney General from 2001 to 2017.
Roy Cooper Education
Roy Cooper built a strong academic foundation before starting his political career. He attended Northern Nash High School in North Carolina, where he completed his early education. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1979, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Moreover, Cooper continued his studies at the University of North Carolina School of Law. There, he received his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 1982. Consequently, Roy Cooper’s education in political science and law prepared him for leadership in government and public service. His academic background later supported his work as North Carolina’s attorney general and governor.
Roy Cooper Wife | Spouse
Roy Cooper comes from a respected family in Nash County, North Carolina. His father, Roy Asberry Cooper II, worked as a lawyer, farmer, and Democratic political strategist. Moreover, his mother, Beverly Thorne Batchelor Cooper, served as a public school teacher who emphasized education and discipline. Their careers strongly influenced Cooper’s values and interest in public service. Additionally, Roy Cooper has one known sibling, Pell Cooper, who serves as a judge for North Carolina’s 7th Judicial District Court.
Roy Cooper Children | Kids | Daughters
Roy Cooper and his wife, Kristin Cooper, have three children together. Their daughters are Hilary Cooper, Claire Cooper, and Natalie Cooper. Moreover, the Cooper family values education, community service, and strong family relationships. All three daughters grew up in North Carolina while their father built his political career. Additionally, Roy Cooper often mentions his family as a source of motivation. However, the Cooper daughters mostly keep their lives private despite their father’s public role.
Roy Cooper Family | Parents | Siblings
Roy Cooper was born into a hardworking family in Nash County, North Carolina. His father, Roy Asberry Cooper II, worked as a lawyer and political leader. Moreover, his mother, Beverly Batchelor Cooper, served as a public school teacher. Together, they raised Cooper with strong values of education and public service. Additionally, Roy Cooper grew up helping on his family’s tobacco farm in rural North Carolina. However, public information about Roy Cooper’s siblings remains limited.
Roy Cooper North Carolina Senate
Is Roy Cooper Running for senate in 2026?
Roy Cooper built a strong political foundation during his service in the North Carolina Senate. He represented North Carolina’s 10th Senate district from 1991 to 2001. Before joining the Senate, he served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1987 to 1991. Moreover, Cooper quickly gained influence within the Democratic Party. In 1997, he became the Democratic Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate.
During his tenure, Cooper worked on education reform, public safety laws, and economic development policies. Additionally, he supported legislation that strengthened schools and expanded opportunities for North Carolina communities. His leadership in the Senate helped him gain statewide recognition. Consequently, his experience prepared him for higher office. In 2000, Roy Cooper won election as North Carolina’s Attorney General, beginning a long period of statewide leadership. His Senate career therefore played a key role in shaping his political path.
Roy Cooper Policies | Healthcare, Education, Jobs, and Clean Energy Reforms in North Carolina | Political Views
Roy Cooper promoted several major policies during his time as Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. First, he strongly supported Medicaid expansion to improve healthcare access for low-income residents. In 2023, North Carolina expanded Medicaid, helping more than 600,000 people gain health coverage. Moreover, Cooper supported programs that relieved billions of dollars in medical debt and expanded mental health services.
Additionally, he prioritized public education funding and higher teacher pay. During his tenure, the state increased average teacher salaries by about 19 percent. Furthermore, Cooper promoted economic development policies that created hundreds of thousands of new jobs across North Carolina. He also encouraged clean energy investments and environmental protection initiatives.
Roy Cooper Elections and Senate Campaign | North Carolina Election Results
Roy Cooper built a long political career through multiple elections in North Carolina. First, he won election to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1986, representing the 72nd district. Later, he moved to the North Carolina Senate in 1991, serving the 10th district until 2001. Moreover, he became Democratic Majority Leader of the North Carolina Senate in 1997, strengthening his influence in state politics.
In 2000, Cooper won the statewide election for North Carolina Attorney General. Voters reelected him in 2004, 2008, and 2012, giving him nearly 16 years in the position. His tenure became the longest for an attorney general in North Carolina history.
Cooper later achieved a major political victory. In 2016, he defeated incumbent Governor Pat McCrory, becoming the 75th Governor of North Carolina. Furthermore, voters reelected him in 2020, defeating Republican Dan Forest with about 51.5% of the vote.
After leaving the governor’s office in 2025, Cooper launched a new campaign. He is now the Democratic nominee for the 2026 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, facing Republican candidate Michael Whatley in the general election.
Roy Cooper Net Worth 2026
Roy Cooper has an estimated net worth of about $4 million as of 2026. His wealth mainly comes from decades of public service, legal work, and long-term investments. Moreover, Cooper earned steady income while serving as North Carolina Attorney General from 2001 to 2017 and later as Governor from 2017 to 2025. Additionally, financial disclosures show assets such as real estate, retirement funds, and investment accounts. Consequently, Roy Cooper’s net worth reflects a long career in law and government leadership rather than private business wealth.