Valerie Jarrett is an American politician and former businesswoman who worked as the senior advisor for Obama Administration. She also worked as an assistant to the president for public engagement and intergovernmental affairs. As of 2026, Valerie Jarrett net worth is estimated to be somewhere around $5 million and $13 million.
Walk Through the Article
Quick Facts About Valerie Jarrett
| Full Name | Valerie Jarrett |
| Profession | Politician |
| Nationality | American |
| Last Updated | March 2026 |
Valerie was born on November 14, 1956 in Shiraz Iran to American parents James E. Bowman and Barbara T. Bowman. Her father was a pathologist and geneticist and ran hospital for Children in Iran in 1956. Jarrett and her family moved to London when she was five years old and then moved to Chicago when she was 7 years old.
Jarrett went to Northfield Mount Hermon. She then earned B.A. in psychology from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School in 1981. She also received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Colby College in Maine.
She started her political career in 1987 working for Mayor Harold Washington as deputy corporation counsel for finance and development. After three years she worked as a deputy chief of staff for Mayor Richard Daley and then served as commissioner of the department of planning and development from 1992 to 1995.
Before joining the Obama administration, she was the CEO of the Habitat Company. She was also a member of the board of Chicago Stock Exchange. Apart from that, she was a member of the board of trustees of University of Chicago Medical Center and also served as vice chairwoman of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago and trustee of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
She joined the Obama administration in 2009 and served as the senior advisor and assistant to the president for public engagement and intergovernmental affairs. She was one of the Obama’s longest serving advisors.
Regarding her personal life, she married William Robert Jarrett in 1983 but got divorced in 1988. Together they have a daughter named Laura Jarrett who is an attorney and a reporter for CNN.
Recently, she is in news after actress Roseanne Barr compared her to an ape. After facing a backlash from several media personalities, Roseanne apologized in a twitter saying: “I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans, I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better”. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste.” Following the incident, ABC news canceled her show calling her tweet abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values.
Valerie Jarrett Net Worth: $5- 13 million
Valerie Jarrett Videos
Watch Valerie Jarrett’s latest interviews and appearances:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Valerie Jarrett’s net worth in 2026?
Valerie Jarrett’s net worth and financial details are regularly updated. Check the sections above for the most current information about their earnings and assets.
What is Valerie Jarrett known for?
Valerie Jarrett is primarily known for their career in politics. They have built a significant following and reputation in their field over the years.
Where is Valerie Jarrett from?
For detailed information about Valerie Jarrett’s background, early life, and origins, refer to the biography sections above.
You May Also Like
- Kyrsten Sinema Net Worth, Salary, Voting Record
- Bernie Sanders Net Worth, Career, Biography 2026
- Kamala Harris Net Worth, Career, Biography 2026
Early Life and Education
Valerie Jarrett was born on November 14, 1956, in Shiraz, Iran, to American parents Dr. James E. Bowman, a pathologist and pioneering geneticist, and Barbara T. Bowman, an education expert and child development advocate. At the time of her birth, her father was stationed in Iran working on regional healthcare infrastructure. Growing up in an international environment, Jarrett became trilingual, fluently speaking Persian, French, and English.
During her childhood, Jarrett lived across multiple continents. She spent her early years in Iran before her family relocated to London for one year when she was five years old. In 1963, the family moved back to the United States, settling in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. There, she attended the University of Chicago Lab School before graduating from Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts in 1974. Her family background was steeped in public service and civic engagement; her mother co-founded the Erikson Institute in 1966, an organization dedicated to child development research and education. Her maternal great-grandfather, Robert Robinson Taylor, was a pioneering figure as the first accredited African American architect and the first African American student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Jarrett pursued higher education at Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1978. She continued her studies at the University of Michigan Law School, graduating with her Juris Doctor degree in 1981. Her legal education prepared her for a career that would span both the corporate world and public service.
Career Highlights
Jarrett began her professional career in the private sector, practicing corporate and real estate law for approximately ten years until 1987. Her transition into public service came when she joined the administration of Chicago Mayor Harold Washington as deputy counselor for finance and development. She later worked under Mayor Richard M. Daley, serving as his deputy chief of staff. During this period in 1991, she hired Michelle Robinson from the law firm Sidley Austin—Michelle Robinson would later marry Barack Obama and become First Lady of the United States.
From 1991 to 1995, Jarrett served as the Commissioner of Planning and Development for the City of Chicago, overseeing urban development initiatives. She subsequently became chairwoman of the Chicago Transit Authority from 1995 to 2003, managing one of the nation’s major public transportation systems. In 1995, she also became Chief Executive Officer of The Habitat Company, a real estate development and management enterprise, a position she held until 2009. Her business acumen was recognized by her appointment as a member of the Chicago Stock Exchange board from 2000 to 2007, during which she served as chairman from 2004 to 2007.
Jarrett’s most prominent role came in 2009 when she was appointed Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama, a position she held throughout his entire two-term presidency until 2017, making her the longest-serving senior advisor in presidential history. In this capacity, she oversaw the Offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs while also chairing the White House Council on Women and Girls. She co-chaired the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. Throughout her White House tenure, Jarrett worked to mobilize elected officials, business leaders, and community advocates to expand middle-class access, strengthen the economy, and promote equality and opportunity for all Americans. After leaving the White House, Jarrett has continued her public service as Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation since 2021.
Personal Life
In 1983, Jarrett married William Robert Jarrett, a physician. The couple had one daughter together, Laura Jarrett, before divorcing in 1988. Laura Jarrett has followed in her mother’s footsteps of public engagement, working as a television journalist and correspondent for CNN. Laura has a son named James, making Valerie a grandmother.
Jarrett’s personal life reflects her commitment to family and community. She has maintained strong ties to Chicago throughout her career, raising her family there and returning to the city following her time in Washington. Her diverse upbringing—having lived in Iran, England, and the United States—has shaped her worldview and informed her approach to inclusive governance and public engagement. Throughout her career transitions from law to real estate development to government service, Jarrett has maintained a reputation as a skilled administrator and advocate for expanding opportunity and access to underrepresented communities. Her influence in American politics and public service extends beyond her official roles, as she has become a prominent voice on leadership, opportunity, and service to the public good.
What is Valerie Jarrett’s net worth in 2026?
Valerie Jarrett: $5 million (2026).
What is Valerie Jarrett doing now?
Valerie Jarrett remains professionally active in 2026.
How did Valerie Jarrett build their wealth?
Valerie Jarrett built $5 million through sustained career work.
Those who build multi-million-dollar net worths invest in skills, relationships, and infrastructure that convert early success into lasting careers. Their financial achievements are the evidence of that sustained investment across decades of professional life.
