Jennifer Granholm – Biography, Age, Husband, Net Worth and Political Career

Quick Facts

The United States of America is home to many influential politicians, including Jennifer Granholm, a vibrant and outstanding politician who won Michigan’s gubernatorial election in 2002. Becoming Michigan’s 47th Governor, Jennifer served for two terms from 1st January 2003 to 1st January 2011, when she vacated the prestigious seat.

Prior to defeating political heavyweight Dick Posthumus in the hotly-sought election, Jennifer served Michigan from 1999 to 2003 as an Attorney General. She has also served in other political positions including as one of those who supported and worked for ‘s election bid before his swearing-in on the 20th day of January 2009.

Asides from being a politician, the Democrat is also a lawyer, writer, educator, as well as a seasoned commentator for one of America’s giant news-based television channel, CNN. Learn more about Jennifer’s bio, political career, and other facts below.

Jennifer Granholm’s Biography (Age)

Michigan’s former governor Jennifer Granholm is the daughter of bank employees – Shirley Alfreda and Victor Iva Granholm. Her birth took place in Vancouver City of British Columbia, Canada, on the 5th day of February 1959. Her maternal grandparents came from Newfoundland and Ireland while her paternal grandfather moved to Canada in the 1930s.

Jennifer moved with her family to California at the age of four. Growing up in Anaheim, San Jose, and San Carlos, Jennifer schooled at San Carlos High School, from where she passed out in the year 1977. She also participated in the Miss San Carlos beauty pageant and emerged the winner. The Canadian politician became a naturalized U.S Citizen at the age of 21 in 1980.

When it was time for college, Jennifer joined the University of California, Berkeley, becoming the first person in her family to do so. In the course of study, she traveled to France, where she became actively involved in the Anti-Apartheid Movement, having helped to smuggle medical supplies and clothes to Jewish people in the Soviet Union.

Upon completing her studies, Granholm received her degree (B.A in Political Science and French) in the year 1984. She enrolled at Harvard University in 1987, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree, with honors at the end of her studies. During her time at the prestigious institution’s Law School, the former governor served as the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review’s Editor-in-Chief.

Political Career

Before Jennifer Granholm took a leap to the political arena, she did several jobs, including serving as a tour guide at Universal Studios, customer service staff at the Los Angeles Times as well as the first female tour guide at Marine World Africa USA in Redwood City, (she piloted boats with 25 tourists aboard). She also had an unsuccessful Hollywood career despite appearing in The Dating Game in 1978. During the 1980 election, she was among John B. Anderson’s campaign team for President of the United States as an Independent.

She started her law career in 1987 and her first stint was to serve as a clerk to Judge Damon Keith, the Senior Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, until 1988. During the 1988 election, the Canadian-American politician also worked for the Michael Dukakis campaign for President and as an attorney in the Wayne County executive office from the year 1989 to 1991. In the same year, she was appointed to the position of an Assistant U.S. Attorney for Michigan’s Eastern District.

She made history in the year 1999 when she successfully took the oath of office as the first female Attorney General of Michigan on January 3, 1999. She served for a single term, recording laudable achievements such as launching a reputable High Tech Crime Unit for the state, making Terrence G. Berg its first Chief, and then standing up for the rights of consumers and citizens. Granholm became people’s favorite during the 2002 general election, as she was considered a “fresh face” and the only one suitable to take over from incumbent Governor John Engler’s 12-year administration.

Standing against James Blanchard, an elder statesman, and former governor, and David E. Bonior, who was a former House Minority Whip, Jennifer Granholm comfortably emerged the winner of the Democratic primaries. Having 499,129 votes (47.69%) against Blanchard’s 254,586 (24.32%) and Bonior’s 292,958 (27.99%). She was able to win by large margins due to increased turnout among African-Americans, women, and voters under the age of 30.

At the general elections, she triumphed over Republican’s Dick Posthumus to be installed as the 47th Governor of the US State of Michigan. Amazingly, Jennifer is Michigan’s fourth governor whose birthplace is outside of the U.S and the first female ever to serve in that position. Her swearing-in ceremony was held on 1st January 2003.

The 2006 election saw Jennifer contest against political bigwig and a member of the Republican party Dick DeVos for her second term bid. She later won and was sworn in 2007. She handed over power to Republican’s Rick Snyder after her tenure ended on January 1, 2011.

Since her meteoric rise to prominence, Granholm has served in various other capacities. She has also played several roles within the US political landscape. Since January 2017, she has been working as CNN’s political contributor.

Her Net Worth

Jennifer Granholm, according to multiple sources, is worth $1 million. However, some sites reported that the value of her assets sits between $1 million and $11 million. Nevertheless, the most important aspect of her financial life is that she is a millionaire.

Who is Her Husband?

The former Michigan governor is married to Yale University theology graduate, Daniel Mulhern. The couple is said to have met in Havard and later got married in the year 1986. They share three kids together – daughters Cecilia Mulhern and Kathryn Mulhern and a son Jack Mulhern.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.