Steve Bannon’s Net Worth in 2024: $72 Million Empire and Russian Connections
Stephen Kevin Bannon, born November 27, 1953, is an American media executive, political strategist, and former investment banker. He served as the White House’s chief strategist during the first seven months of Donald Trump’s presidency before being fired.
Previously, he was the executive chairman of the far-right website Breitbart News. Bannon has been a controversial figure, accused of promoting racism, antisemitism, and white nationalism through his media and political activities. Let’s take a closer look at his life and career.
Who is Steve Bannon?
Steve Bannon was born into a working-class, Irish Catholic family in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1976 and earned a Master’s in National Security Studies from Georgetown University. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years, Bannon began his civilian career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.
In the 1990s, Bannon transitioned into media and entertainment. He became an executive producer in Hollywood, working on films like The Indian Runner (1991) and Titus (1999). In the 2000s, he began making conservative political documentaries.
Bannon’s most impactful media role began in 2012 when he took over as executive chairman of Breitbart News. Under his leadership, the website became a platform for the alt-right, publishing controversial and inflammatory content. In 2016, he declared the site “the platform for the alt-right.”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Kevin Bannon |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Education | Virginia Tech (B.A.), Georgetown University (M.A. in National Security Studies) |
| Marriages | 1. Cathleen Houff Jordan (married c. 1980; divorced 1988) 2. Mary Louise Piccard (married 1995; divorced 1997) 3. Diane Clohesy (married 2006; divorced 2009) |
| Children | Three adult daughters (one from first marriage, twins from second) |
| Health Issues | None reported |
Personal Life and Relationships
Bannon has been married and divorced three times:
- Cathleen Houff Jordan (married c. 1980; divorced 1988)
- Mary Louise Piccard (married 1995; divorced 1997)
- Diane Clohesy (married 2006; divorced 2009)
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He has three adult daughters – one from his first marriage and twins from his second.
His second marriage ended in scandal. During their divorce proceedings, Piccard accused Bannon of domestic violence and making antisemitic comments. Bannon was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, battery, and dissuading a witness in 1996, though the case was ultimately dismissed. Bannon denied the accusations.
Professional Career
After his time in the Navy and at Goldman Sachs, Bannon had a varied career crossing investment banking, media, and politics:
- Bannon & Co: In 1990, he launched his investment bank specializing in media. In one notable deal, his firm accepted a stake in five TV shows, including Seinfeld, instead of advisor fees.
- Biosphere 2: Bannon became acting director of the research project in 1993.
- Films: Bannon co-executive produced several Hollywood films and began making conservative documentaries in the 2000s.
- Breitbart News: He became executive chairman in 2012, turning the site into an alt-right platform.
- Trump Campaign: In 2016, Bannon became the chief executive of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
- White House Chief Strategist: After Trump’s victory, Bannon served as his chief strategist until August 2017.
Age and Physique
Born in 1953, Steve Bannon is currently 70 years old. Photos often show him with a disheveled, unkempt appearance. At the height of his political influence in 2017, a Time magazine cover labeled Bannon “The Great Manipulator.”
Net Worth and Salary
Bannon’s net worth is estimated to be between $20-48 million, accumulated from his investment banking career, stake in Seinfeld royalties, and political strategist salary. While his White House salary was $179,700, financial disclosures showed Bannon earned over $1 million in the year before joining the administration. This included a $191,000 salary from Breitbart News.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $72 million |
| White House Salary | $179,700 |
| Earnings Before White House | Over $1 million, including $191,000 from Breitbart News |
| Reported Earnings (2016) | $1.3 million in consulting fees, with $500,000 from Breitbart News and $125,333 from Cambridge Analytica |
Company Details and Investments
Before joining the White House, Bannon held stakes in several companies, many related to his media activities:
- Bannon Strategic Advisors Inc. – valued between $5-25 million
- Bannon Film Industries Inc. – movie production company valued at $1-5 million
- Affinity Media Holdings – valued at $1-5 million
- Cambridge Analytica – data firm; Bannon held a stake valued at $1-5 million but divested before joining the White House
- Glittering Steel LLC – production company valued at $1-5 million
In 2016, Bannon reported earning $1.3 million in consulting fees, of which at least $500,000 came from Breitbart News and $125,333 from Cambridge Analytica.
Brilliant weekend with the @SwinShamrockCSC for the Aberdeen game HH🍀 pic.twitter.com/9SmTtwKGMU
— Steve Bannon 🏴☘ (@SteveBannon) February 20, 2023
Funding and Investments
One of Bannon’s most lucrative investments traces back to his time at Bannon & Co. In 1993, he struck a deal for a stake in the Seinfeld TV show’s royalties that has paid him millions over the years.
More recently, conservative benefactors have funded Bannon’s political documentary films. One of his biggest backers was Robert Mercer, the hedge fund billionaire who financed Breitbart News, Cambridge Analytica, and some of Bannon’s films.
Contact Details and Social Network Handles
Bannon keeps a relatively low public profile and does not appear active on mainstream social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook since being banned for hate speech. However, Bannon does host a popular podcast called “War Room” that streams on various alt-tech platforms catering to right-wing audiences.
Conclusion
Steve Bannon’s story is one of a restless provocateur who has stirred up controversy in media, business, and politics. From the Hollywood Hills to the halls of power in Washington D.C., Bannon’s iconoclastic ideology and take-no-prisoners tactics have made him a key player in the rise of right-wing populism in America. Though he is now out of the White House and facing legal troubles, Bannon’s divisive impact on the nation’s political landscape seems far from over.