Cory Booker Biography: Cory Anthony Booker, born on April 27, 1969, is an American politician currently serving as the senior U.S. Senator from New Jersey, a position he has held since 2013. A Democrat, he made history as New Jersey’s first African-American senator. Before joining the Senate, Booker was the 38th mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013 and previously represented the city’s Central Ward on the Municipal Council from 1998 to 2002. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Harrington Park, New Jersey, Booker attended Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1991 and a master’s degree the following year. He went on to study at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and later graduated from Yale Law School. His political career began with a surprise win for a seat on Newark’s Municipal Council in 1998, during which.
Cory Booker Biography
Cory Booker is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey—a role he’s held since 2013. He made history as the state’s first Black senator after winning a special election following the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg. Before his Senate career, Booker was mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. He also ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination but exited the race early, later endorsing Joe Biden.
Cory Booker Biography 2025 Details
| Born | Cory Anthony Booker
April 27, 1969 (age 55) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Stanford University (BA, MA) Queen’s College, Oxford (MA) Yale University (JD) |
| Category | Politician Biography |
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About Cory Booker
Cory Anthony Booker is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from New Jersey, a seat he has held since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Booker is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey.
Cory Booker Wiki
- Born: 27 April 1969 (age 55 years), Washington, D.C., United States
- Office: United States Senator
- Previous offices: Mayor of Newark (2006–2013), Member of the Municipal Council of Newark (1998–2002)
- Party: Democratic Party
- Education: Yale Law School (1997), The Queen’s College (1994) ·
- Nominations: Shorty Award for Government, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
- Parents: Carolyn Booker, Cary Booker
Early Life and Education
Cory Booker was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Harrington Park, New Jersey, located about 20 miles northeast of Newark. His parents, Carolyn Rose (née Jordan) and Cary Alfred Booker (1936–2013), were trailblazers as two of IBM’s first Black executives. Booker grew up in a religious household and attended a small African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Jersey with his family. Through the PBS series Finding Your Roots, he also discovered he has Sierra Leonean heritage.
Booker attended Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, where he played varsity football and was recognized on the 1986 USA Today All-USA High School Football Team. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Stanford University in 1991 and a Master of Arts in sociology in 1992. While at Stanford, he played tight end for the university’s football team, sharing the field with players like Brad Muster and Ed McCaffrey, and was named to the All-Pac-10 Academic Team.
Cory Booker: At a Glance
- Category: Richest Politicians › Democrats
- Net Worth:$3 Million
- Salary: $174,000
- Born: April 27, 1969 (55 years old)
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
- Profession: Politician, Lawyer
Personal Life
Cory Booker is known for his commitment to a healthy lifestyle and ethical choices. He has been a vegetarian since 1992, when he was a student at Oxford University, and he abstains from alcohol. He is also a self-proclaimed book enthusiast, noting that his only “vice” is reading. In 2014, Booker transitioned to a vegan diet, driven by his ethical views on animal rights. He has openly advocated for veganism and its connection to his animal welfare beliefs. As of June 2016, Booker attended the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark. In 1992, Booker wrote a column for The Stanford Daily where he recounted a sexual experience from his teenage years. In the column, he discussed how societal messages about sex as a “game” shaped his attitudes toward relationships. He later reflected on how these “skewed attitudes” contribute to the culture of rape.
Political Positions of Cory Booker
Cory Booker is widely regarded as a liberal and progressive Democrat with a voting record that reflects his commitment to these values. In a 2013 interview with Salon, Booker stated that he aligns with all areas of progressive politics, emphasizing his broad commitment to progressive causes. When asked about his political identity in a The Grio interview later that year, he identified as a Democrat and an American, but refrained from labeling himself solely as a progressive. Booker has been recognized for his strong support of animal welfare, holding the most pro-animal rights voting record in the Senate according to the Humane Society.
Cory Booker Net Worth 2025
Booker’s estimated net worth is $3 million. His annual Senate salary is $174,000, and he has earned over $1 million in book royalties, including $400,000 in 2015 and $325,000 in 2016 from his book United. In his 2017 financial disclosures, he reported $550,000 in brokerage account assets. From 1998 to 2013, Booker earned approximately $4 million before taxes and paid over $1 million in taxes. He has also earned more than $2 million from speeches since 2000 and donated over $400,000 to charitable causes.
FAQs
What did Cory Booker do before becoming a U.S. senator?
Before joining the U.S. Senate in 2013, Cory Booker served as the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, from 2006 to 2013. Prior to that, he was a member of the Newark Municipal Council, where he gained recognition for his activism and focus on urban development, public safety, and affordable housing.
What was Cory Booker’s longest Senate speech about?
Cory Booker delivered a record-breaking 25-hour, 5-minute speech in March 2025, the longest in Senate history. While it drew massive attention online, critics argued it lacked legislative impact, calling it more performative than purposeful, especially since it wasn’t tied to blocking any specific vote.
Has Cory Booker ever run for president?
Yes, Cory Booker ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2020 election. He participated in the early debates but dropped out before the primaries due to low polling and fundraising challenges.
What businesses or companies has Cory Booker been involved in?
In 2012, Cory Booker co-founded Waywire, a video-sharing tech company, alongside Nathan Richardson and Sarah Ross. He stepped down from its board after being elected to the Senate in 2013.
What are Cory Booker’s views on wealth inequality?
Cory Booker has consistently advocated for closing the racial wealth gap and promoting economic reform. His legislative focus includes addressing systemic inequality, expanding access to healthcare, and improving opportunities for underserved communities.
Where does Cory Booker live now?
Cory Booker currently resides in a townhouse in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. Previously, he lived in the Brick Towers affordable housing complex and later in a rental in the city’s South Ward.