Jeb Bush Net Worth

Jeb Bush’s Net Worth: A Look at His Career, Wealth, and Political Journey

John Ellis “Jeb” Bush is a prominent figure in American politics and business. Best known for his tenure as the 43rd Governor of Florida, Bush comes from a politically influential family, including his father, former President George H.W. Bush, and his brother, former President George W. Bush. Beyond his political career, Jeb Bush has amassed considerable wealth through various ventures, including real estate and business investments. This article provides a detailed overview of Jeb Bush’s life, career, and net worth, examining the key events and decisions that have shaped his financial standing and public image.

Early Life and Family

Jeb Bush was born on February 11, 1953, in Midland, Texas. He is the second son of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush. The Bush family is well-known for its significant presence in American politics and business. Jeb’s full name is John Ellis Bush, but he is commonly known as “Jeb,” a nickname derived from his initials. The Bush family had six children; Jeb was the third child, following his older brother, George, and sister Robin, who died at the age of three.

At age six, the family relocated to the Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston, Texas, where Jeb attended Grady Elementary School. Like his older brother, he attended the Phillips Academy, a boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts, after completing his first year of high school in Houston. Despite initially struggling academically and repeating his first year, he excelled by his senior year, earning a spot on the honor roll and serving as the captain of the high school tennis team.

Education and Early Career

Jeb Bush chose to attend the University of Texas at Austin, instead of Yale University, which many other family members attended. He enrolled in September 1971. While at UT, he was a member of the varsity tennis team and majored in Latin American studies, inspired by his experience teaching English in Mexico at the age of 17. He completed his coursework in two and a half years and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity.

After graduating from UT, Bush started his professional career at Texas Commerce Bank. After three years, the bank sent him to Caracas, Venezuela, to open a new branch. This early international experience would shape his later business and political endeavors.

Real Estate and Business Ventures

In 1980, Jeb Bush moved his family to Miami, Florida, and entered the real estate market. He became a partner in The Codina Group, one of South Florida’s leading real estate development firms. His involvement in real estate significantly contributed to his wealth. In addition to his real estate endeavors, Bush engaged in various entrepreneurial activities, further diversifying his investment portfolio. He also played an active role in his father’s political campaigns, gaining experience in the political arena.

Political Career in Florida

Jeb Bush’s political career began in the mid-1980s when he became the Chairman of the Dade County Republican Party. After helping Bob Martinez win the 1986 gubernatorial race, Martinez appointed Bush as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce. He served in this role until 1988 when he resigned to work on his father’s presidential campaign.

In 1994, Bush ran for governor of Florida but was unsuccessful. However, he ran again in 1998 and won, becoming Florida’s 43rd Governor. He was re-elected in 2002, making him the first Republican governor of Florida to serve two full four-year terms. As governor, Bush focused on key initiatives, including education reform, environmental conservation, and fiscal responsibility. He promoted school choice through charter schools, worked to preserve the Everglades, and reduced taxes and state spending. His tenure coincided with the contentious 2000 presidential election recount, which involved his brother, George W. Bush. Jeb Bush recused himself from the recount process.

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After his time as governor ended, Bush remained engaged in both Florida and national politics. He was particularly active in education reform, serving as a Board Member for the National Assessment Governing Board from 2004 to 2007. This organization focused on establishing education policy based on K-12 student progress reports.

2016 Presidential Campaign

In December 2014, Jeb Bush announced on Facebook that he was considering a run for president in the 2016 U.S. election. He officially announced his candidacy in June 2015, presenting himself as a moderate Republican. He advocated for immigration reform, conservative fiscal policies, limitations on abortion access, opposition to federal same-sex marriage allowances, and fiscal conservatism. Despite an initially promising start, his campaign struggled to gain significant traction. He suspended his campaign following a disappointing outcome in the South Carolina primary and subsequently endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz. After Donald Trump won the Republican nomination, Bush stated he would not vote for either Trump or Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Election.

Post-Political Activities

Following his time in office and after his presidential campaign, Jeb Bush has remained involved in various public and private sector endeavors. He served as the co-chair of his mother’s foundation, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, from 2012 to 2015. He also established the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a think tank focused on education reform. Additionally, he hosts the Annual AT&T Jeb Bush Florida Golf Classic, an event aimed at raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Personal Life and Family

Jeb Bush met his future wife, Columba Garnica Gallo, while teaching English in León, Mexico, in 1970. They started dating and married in Austin, Texas, in 1974. They have three children: George, born in 1976; Noelle, born in 1977; and Jeb Jr., born in 1983. Raised in the Episcopalian faith, Bush converted to Roman Catholicism in 1995. He is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus since 2004 and is a member of the Father Hugon Council in Tallahassee and the Father Hugon Assembly.

Jeb Bush’s Net Worth

Jeb Bush’s net worth is estimated to be around $40 million. This wealth is a result of his successful career in both politics and business. His earnings from his time as Governor of Florida, his real estate ventures, and other business interests have all contributed to his financial standing. Furthermore, his pre-political career, including his time at the Texas Commerce Bank and his involvement in The Codina Group, played a role in accumulating his wealth.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Jeb Bush released 33 years of tax returns, revealing that he earned a total of $38,300,245 between 1981 and 2013.

Conclusion

Jeb Bush has had a multifaceted career, transitioning from business to politics and back again. His time as Governor of Florida, combined with his family legacy and business acumen, has significantly impacted his net worth. While his 2016 presidential bid was ultimately unsuccessful, Bush’s influence in political and educational circles continues. His life and career reflect the intersection of business, politics, and family legacy, providing a compelling case study in American public life.