Liz Cheney Net Worth

Liz Cheney: Net Worth, Career, and Political Journey

Liz Cheney, a prominent figure in American politics and a member of a well-known political family, has built a career marked by her legal background, government service, and, most recently, her high-profile role in investigating the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. This article delves into Liz Cheney’s net worth, her early life, career, and her significant contributions to the political landscape.

Early Life and Education

Born on July 28, 1966, in Madison, Wisconsin, Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is the elder daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney, a noted author and scholar. Growing up, her family divided their time between Wyoming and Washington, D.C., due to her father’s political career, which began with his election to the US Congress in the 1970s. Liz Cheney attended McLean High School, graduating in 1984. She went on to Colorado College and later earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1996, laying the foundation for her career in law and politics.

Career Beginnings

Before her legal studies, Cheney worked for five years at the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development, gaining early experience in international affairs. Following her work in these governmental agencies, she worked for the consulting firm Armitage Associates. After law school, she practiced law at White & Case and served as an international law attorney and consultant at the International Finance Corporation. Her early career also included serving as a USAID officer in US embassies in Budapest, Hungary, and Warsaw, Poland.

(Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

US State Department (2002-2007)

Cheney’s career took a significant turn when she joined the US State Department in 2002 as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. In this role, she oversaw the Middle East Partnership Initiative. She left the State Department in 2003 to work on the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign, returning in 2005 as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and Coordinator for Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiatives. During her tenure, she played a key role in launching the Fund of the Future and the Foundation of the Future, initiatives aimed at promoting democracy and freedom of the press in the region. She also led the Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group. Her time in the State Department was marked by a strong neoconservative approach, particularly her focus on national security and a hawkish military stance.

Post-US State Department Activities

After leaving the State Department, Cheney continued her involvement in politics, co-chairing Fred Thompson’s 2008 presidential campaign. When Thompson dropped out, she transitioned to Mitt Romney’s campaign as a senior foreign policy advisor. In 2009, she co-founded the non-profit organization Keep America Safe with William Kristol and Deborah Burlingame. This organization advocated for the continuation of the Bush-Cheney administration’s hawkish foreign policy positions. Cheney also became a contributor to Fox News, further expanding her public platform.

US Senate Campaign

In the summer of 2013, Cheney announced her candidacy for the US Senate representing Wyoming. Her campaign, however, faced challenges, including disagreements over foreign policy and a public disagreement with her sister over same-sex marriage. Moreover, she was unable to match the popularity of incumbent Mike Enzi, leading her to withdraw from the race in early 2014.

Liz Cheney official portrait (public domain)

US House of Representatives

Following the retirement of Cynthia Lummis, Cheney successfully ran for the US House of Representatives for Wyoming in 2016, securing over 60% of the vote. She was re-elected in 2018 and 2020. From 2019 to 2021, she served as the chair of the House Republican Conference. During her time in the House, Cheney initially aligned with Donald Trump on many issues but later became a vocal critic, especially after the January 6th insurrection. Her stance led to significant political repercussions within the Republican Party. Despite attempts to remove her from her leadership position, she was removed in 2021. Her opposition to Trump, coupled with her role in the January 6th investigation, resulted in the Wyoming Republican Party revoking her membership and her subsequent loss in the 2022 US Senate race to Harriet Hageman.

House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack

A pivotal moment in Cheney’s career was her appointment by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the US Capitol in the summer of 2021. She served as the vice chair of the bipartisan committee and played a central role in its investigation. Cheney and the committee concluded that former President Donald Trump incited the attack by spreading misinformation about the 2020 election and encouraging a mob to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden’s administration. The committee recommended charging Trump on multiple counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and inciting insurrection.

Personal Life

Liz Cheney married attorney Philip Perry in 1993. They have five children: Philip Jr., Kate, Elizabeth, Grace, and Richard. She maintains a home in Wyoming.

Liz Cheney’s Net Worth

As of the latest estimates, Liz Cheney’s net worth is approximately $20 million. This figure reflects her earnings from her legal career, her political roles, and other investments.