Celebrity Biographies
Elaine Chao Biography And Net Worth
Who is Elaine Chao?
Elaine Lan Chao is an American entrepreneur and former government figure who held the positions of secretary of transportation under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021 and secretary of labor under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. Rnn has provided you with detailed information about Elaine Chao in this article.
Elaine Chao Biography And Net Worth
Bio Data
| Name: | Elaine Chao |
| Category: | Richest Politicians › Republicans |
| Net Worth: | $30 Million |
| Date of Birth: | Mar 26, 1953 |
| Place of Birth: | Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan |
| Age: | 70 years old |
| Nationality: | American |
| Profession: | Businesswoman, politician |
Biography
The oldest of Ruth, a historian, and James, a merchant mariner who later established the shipping business Foremost Maritime Corporation in New York City, Elaine Chao was born on March 26, 1953 in Taipei, Taiwan. Jeannette, May, Christine, Grace, and Angela are her sisters. Chao had her early schooling in Taiwan at Tsai Hsing Elementary School.
She joined their father, who had already relocated to New York three years earlier, in 1961 along with her mother and two of her sisters. Chao pursued her schooling at Syosset High School in New York. She continued her education by enrolling at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she graduated with a BA in economics. Later, Chao graduated with her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Elaine Chao Biography And Net Worth
Career
Chao worked as a vice president for syndications at Bank of America Capital Markets Group in San Francisco, California, prior to joining politics. She also worked for Citicorp in New York as an international banker. Under Ronald Reagan’s Department of Transportation, Chao entered the administration in 1986 as the deputy administrator of the Maritime Administration. She presided over the Federal Maritime Commission from 1988 until 1989. Following that, Chao was chosen to serve as the transportation department’s deputy secretary, a post she held from 1989 until 1991. She then held the position of director of the Peace Corps from 1991 to 1992 after receiving that assignment. Chao increased the Corps’ presence in Central Asia and Eastern Europe in that capacity.
Between Bush administrations
Chao led the United Way of America from 1993 to 1996 after working in George H. W. Bush’s administration. Following the financial controversy of former president William Aramony, she is credited with helping the organization regain credibility and public confidence throughout her term.
US Secretary of Labor
In 2001, Chao rejoined the government and was appointed US Secretary of Labor by George W. Bush. She held that role until 2009, making her the only cabinet member to have served during all eight of President W’s years in office. Chao managed the Department of Labor’s grant payments to help with the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina when she was in charge. However, the Department came under fire for disregarding its regulatory role while she was in charge, especially for conducting insufficient investigations into the complaints of low-wage workers.
Private Sector, 2009-2017
After serving in the W. administration, Chao went back to the private sector and took up her prior position at a right-leaning think organization. She became a director of many boards, including those of Wells Fargo, Dole Food Company, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. She also contributed to Fox News and other media sources.
US Secretary of Transportation
Chao rejoined the government in 2017 and served as Donald Trump’s secretary of transportation. She held that position up until January 11, 2021, when she formally announced her resignation in reaction to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6. The rioting that Trump fueled led to the resignation of Chao as the first member of the cabinet.
Net Worth
Taiwanese-American Elaine Chao has a $30 million fortune. She is a Republican politician wed to Mitch McConnell, a senator. Since 1993, they have been married.
Controversies
Chao caused controversy when serving as secretary of transportation since it was claimed that she benefited her family’s shipping company through her position. According to federally required reports, Chao’s father gave her and her husband Mitch McConnell a present worth between $5 million and $25 million. The Foremost Group, a business owned by the family, has strong links to the Chinese government and was viewed as having a conflict of interest. Early in 2021, the Inspector General published a report in which Chao was accused of breaking many ethical rules, including promoting the biography of her father and utilizing departmental resources for personal purposes.
Personal Life
In 1993, Chao wed Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell. Her extended family has contributed more than a million dollars to his reelection campaigns, and she has been a significant character on his campaign trails.
FAQs
Who is Elaine Chao?
Elaine Lan Chao is an American entrepreneur and former government figure who held the positions of secretary of transportation under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021 and secretary of labor under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.
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