Governor Gavin Newsom’s $42 Million Fortune: A Look at His Wealth and Investments in 2024
Gavin Newsom is the current Governor of California, serving since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Newsom has built a reputation as a progressive politician over his career in California politics.
From his early days as a San Francisco supervisor to his current role leading the nation’s most populous state, Newsom has been at the forefront of issues like same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization, and climate change action.
This blog post will explore Newsom’s background, career trajectory, key policies, and personal life to examine one of America’s most prominent governors comprehensively.
Who is Gavin Newsom?
Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in San Francisco, California, on October 10, 1967. He comes from a politically connected family – his father, William Newsom, was a state appeals court judge and administrator of the Getty family trust.
Growing up, Newsom faced challenges with dyslexia but went on to graduate from Santa Clara University with a degree in political science in 1989.
Newsom started politics by working on Willie Brown’s 1995 campaign for San Francisco mayor. He was later appointed to the city’s Parking and Traffic Commission and then to the Board of Supervisors in 1997.
Newsom was elected as the 42nd Mayor of San Francisco in 2003 at age 36, making him the city’s youngest mayor in over a century. He served two terms as mayor before being elected Lieutenant Governor of California in 2010.
In 2018, Newsom won the race for Governor of California, succeeding Jerry Brown. As governor, he has pursued a progressive agenda on issues like criminal justice reform, environmental protection, and expanding access to health care.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gavin Christopher Newsom |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1967 |
| Age (2024) | 56 years |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) |
| Education | Santa Clara University, B.A. in Political Science (1989) |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Spouse | Jennifer Siebel (married 2008) |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Fair Oaks, California |
Newsom has also drawn national attention for his outspoken criticism of former President Trump and other Republican leaders.
Personal Life and Relationships
At times, Newsom’s personal life has made headlines alongside his political career. He was married to Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle from 2001 to 2006. Following their divorce, Newsom began dating filmmaker Jennifer Siebel in 2006. They married in 2008 and have four children together.
In 2007, Newsom admitted to having an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, the wife of his campaign manager, while he was mayor.
This led to his campaign manager’s resignation and public apologies from Newsom. He also announced he would seek treatment for alcohol abuse around this time.
Since becoming governor, Newsom and his family initially lived in the California Governor’s Mansion in Sacramento but later moved to a home in the Fair Oaks suburb. Newsom identifies as Catholic and has spoken about the role of faith in his life and politics.
Professional Career and Details
Newsom’s career has spanned both business and politics. Some key highlights include:
- Founding PlumpJack Wines in 1992, which grew into a larger hospitality company
- Elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1997
- Elected Mayor of San Francisco in 2003 and re-elected in 2007
- Elected Lieutenant Governor of California in 2010 and re-elected in 2014
- Elected Governor of California in 2018 and re-elected in 2022
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As San Francisco mayor, Newsom gained national attention for directing the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, violating state law at the time. He also launched programs to address homelessness and provide universal health care to city residents.
As governor, some of Newsom’s major policy priorities have included:
- Expanding Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented immigrants
- Imposing a moratorium on the death penalty
- Setting aggressive climate change and clean energy goals
- Increasing funding for early childhood education
- Addressing the state’s housing crisis and homelessness
Newsom has also had to navigate significant challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, severe wildfires, and a recall election attempt in 2021, which he ultimately defeated.
Age and Physical Details
Gavin Newsom was born on October 10, 1967, and is 56 years old as of 2024. He stands at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall. Newsom has maintained a fit, athletic build throughout his political career. With his height, chiseled features, and thick head of graying hair, Newsom cuts a telegenic figure that has contributed to his political appeal over the years.
Net Worth and Salary Information
As Governor of California, Newsom earns an annual salary of $218,556 as of 2023. However, his net worth is estimated to be much higher due to his business ventures and investments over the years.
Various sources estimate Newsom’s net worth to be between $10-20 million as of 2024. This wealth comes from:
- His stake in PlumpJack Group and other business holdings
- Real estate investments
- Salary from political offices held
- Speaking fees and book deals
It’s worth noting that upon becoming governor, Newsom put his business holdings into a blind trust to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Given the privacy of the blind trust arrangement, his exact net worth is difficult to pinpoint.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $10-20 million |
| Annual Salary (Governor) | $218,556 |
| Sources of Wealth | Business ventures, real estate investments, salary from political offices, speaking fees, and book deals |
Company and Investment Details
Newsom’s most significant business venture has been the PlumpJack Group, which he founded in 1992. Starting as a wine shop, it grew to include:
- Multiple wineries
- Restaurants and bars
- Hotels and resorts
- Retail clothing stores
Other significant investments and business interests have included:
- Airelle Wines Inc.
- Cade Winery
- Odette Estate Winery
Newsom divested from his San Francisco-based PlumpJack businesses when he became mayor in 2004 but maintained interests in firms outside the city. When elected governor, he placed his business holdings in a blind trust.
Real Estate Investments:
- Sold a Marin County home for $5.9 million in 2021
- Purchased a $3.7 million home in Fair Oaks near Sacramento in 2019
Just declared a state of emergency in LA, San Bernardino, Orange, & Riverside as we continue to fight these devastating fires.
We’re deploying all available resources.
Grateful for our heroic firefighters and first responders working around the clock. pic.twitter.com/WLZiD4nK9e
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 12, 2024
Investment and Funding
Beyond his business ventures, Newsom has been involved with various investment and funding initiatives as a politician:
- Helped secure $15 million in state funding to create Promise programs providing free community college education
- Launched a $750 million fund to help cities and counties build housing for homeless individuals
- Proposed a $4.2 billion climate resilience bond to fund wildfire prevention and safe drinking water projects
- Allocated $2 billion for small business grants and fee waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic
As governor, Newsom oversees California’s massive state budget, which topped $300 billion for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. He has focused funding increases on priorities like education, homelessness, and climate change mitigation.
Contact Details and Social Network Handles
As a public figure, Newsom can be reached through official government channels:
Office of the Governor 1021 O Street, Suite 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445-2841
For campaign-related inquiries: Newsom for California Governor 2026 P.O. Box 398 Sacramento, CA 95812
Newsom is active on several social media platforms:
| Platform | Handle |
|---|---|
| @GavinNewsom | |
| @GavinNewsom | |
| @gavin.newsom |
His official website as governor is www.gov.ca.gov.
Conclusion
Gavin Newsom has risen from being a San Francisco supervisor to becoming one of the most prominent governors in the United States.
His tenure leading California has been marked by progressive policies, high-profile clashes with Republican leaders, and the challenges of governing America’s most populous state. With his political savvy, business background, and ambitious agenda, Newsom remains a closely watched figure on the national stage.
As he navigates issues like climate change, housing affordability, and post-pandemic recovery, Newsom’s actions in California will continue to shape policy discussions nationwide.
