What is Rod Blagojevich Net Worth?

Rod Blagojevich, a former American politician, has an estimated net worth of $100,000. He is best known as the former Governor of Illinois and for his conviction on federal corruption charges. Blagojevich served eight years of a 14-year prison sentence for soliciting bribes before his sentence was commuted in February 2020 by President Donald Trump.

Political Career and Downfall

Blagojevich started his political career in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1992. In 1997, he was elected as a U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 5th district, a position he held until 2003. That same year, he became Illinois’ 40th governor, marking a milestone as the first Democrat in 30 years to win the position.

During his tenure, Blagojevich signed several progressive laws, including reforms to the death penalty, a statewide smoking ban, and an expansion of health programs like KidCare. He also pushed for legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, his time as governor was overshadowed by criticism for his spending policies and conflicts with lawmakers.

In December 2008, federal agents arrested Blagojevich on corruption charges. He was accused of attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama after his election as president. The FBI even recorded him saying, “I’ve got this thing, and it’s golden. I’m just not giving it up for nothing.” His arrest led to his impeachment by the Illinois House and removal from office in January 2009.

Conviction and Prison Time

After a federal trial in 2010, Blagojevich was convicted of lying to the FBI. A retrial in 2011 found him guilty of 17 additional charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy. He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison but served only eight years before his early release in 2020. During his time in prison, he became the lead singer of a band called the Jailhouse Rockers.

Early Life and Education

Rod Blagojevich was born on December 10, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, to Serbian immigrant parents, Radislav and Mila. Growing up, he took on various jobs to help support his family, such as shining shoes, delivering pizzas, and working in a meatpacking plant. After graduating from Foreman High School, he attended the University of Tampa for two years before transferring to Northwestern University, where he earned a degree in history. He later obtained a law degree from Pepperdine University in California in 1983.

Life After Politics

Following his removal from office, Blagojevich dabbled in entertainment. He starred in the satirical musical Rod Blagojevich Superstar and hosted a radio talk show on WLS in Chicago. He also authored an autobiography titled The Governor: The Truth Behind the Political Scandal That Continues to Rock the Nation. In 2010, he appeared as a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice. After his release from prison, Blagojevich launched a political podcast, The Lightning Rod, to share his views.

Personal Life

Rod is married to Patricia Mell, the daughter of former Chicago alderman Richard Mell. The couple has two daughters. Patricia, who served as Illinois’ First Lady during Rod’s tenure as governor, also gained media attention when she participated in the reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2009.

Rod Blagojevich’s life has been a mix of political success, personal scandals, and a surprising turn toward entertainment, leaving behind a legacy that continues to spark conversations.

Final Thoughts

Interested in more insights into the financial journeys of famous figures? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and explore more articles on Net Worth Insightful!