How Tall Is Ron DeSantis? Height, Weight, Age and Net Worth

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has become one of the most influential and polarizing figures in American politics. The young, Ivy League-educated Republican has seen a meteoric rise to national prominence through his hardline stances on issues like the COVID-19 pandemic, education, and social policies.

To supporters, DeSantis is a champion of freedom and conservative values. To critics, he represents dangerous far-right populism. Regardless of one’s views, there is no denying DeSantis’ growing stature, both in Florida and on the national stage. This profile will provide key details on the personal background, political career, and controversies surrounding the ambitious Governor.

Ron DeSantis’s Height and Weight

Standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cuts a lean figure at approximately 154 pounds. While certainly on the shorter side for a politician, DeSantis’ height has been a frequent point of speculation and comparison. Some critics have suggested he may actually be closer to 6 feet tall, while supporters are quick to note he still stands taller than the average American man’s 5 feet 9 inches.

Comparisons are often drawn between DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, who towers over him at 6 feet 3 inches. However, despite the height difference, the two share many political views and a similar leadership style. DeSantis has embraced comparisons to Trump, adopting the former president’s combative tone and stances on issues like pandemic responses.

Ron DeSantis’s Age

On September 14, 1978, Ronald Dion DeSantis was born in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2023, DeSantis celebrated his 45th birthday, making him one of the youngest state governors in modern history.

DeSantis’ relative youth, compared to most politicians, is seen as both an asset and a liability. Supporters say his age makes him more in touch with the issues facing younger voters. Critics argue DeSantis’ policies and communication style show immaturity and inexperience.

Regardless of one’s opinion on his age, there’s no denying DeSantis has packed a lot into his four decades of life so far. Let’s take a look at his impressive educational background and meteoric political rise.

Educational Background

DeSantis attended Dunedin High School, where he was captain of the varsity baseball team. He then went on to graduate from Yale University in 2001 with a B.A. in history. While at Yale, he was captain of the varsity baseball team.

After Yale, DeSantis attended Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 2005 with a Juris Doctor degree. He was a member of the Harvard Law Review and editor for the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy.

 DeSantis obtained an Ivy League education from two of the most prestigious universities in the world. This helps explain his reputation as an intelligent and competent politician despite his detractors criticizing his leadership style.

Political Profile

After law school, DeSantis served as a Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2010. He was deployed to Iraq in 2007, where he served as a legal advisor.

In 2012, DeSantis made his first foray into politics, running for Florida’s 6th congressional district. He went on to serve three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. During that time, he gained national attention for his staunch conservative views and for founding the House Freedom Caucus.

Capitalizing on his rising profile, DeSantis ran for Governor of Florida in 2018. He narrowly defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in one of the closest gubernatorial races Florida has ever seen.

At just 40 years old, DeSantis became the youngest Governor in Florida history. As Governor, he has continued to grab headlines for his controversial pandemic responses. DeSantis banned mask mandates in schools and opposed lockdowns, prioritizing keeping Florida’s economy open.

Critics accuse DeSantis of downplaying the pandemic’s severity for political gain. But his supporters credit Florida’s economic success over the past two years to DeSantis’ leadership.

Beyond COVID-19, DeSantis has enacted conservative education policies like the “Stop W.O.K.E Act.” He has also restricted discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida’s schools.

DeSantis is up for re-election in 2022 and is considered a potential Republican presidential candidate for 2024. At just 44 years old, his political future seems bright.

Personal Life and Relationships

In 2010, Ron DeSantis married former television host and producer Casey Black. The couple met in 2008 when she was working on a golf tournament at which DeSantis was playing.

Casey Black was a three-time Emmy award-winning television host for programs on the Golf Channel and Fox Sports. However, she left her career after marrying DeSantis to support his political ambitions.

Together, they have a daughter named Madison and a son named Mason. The family currently resides in the Florida Governor’s mansion in Tallahassee.

Ethnicity

Ron DeSantis is of Italian ancestry on his father’s side and Irish ancestry on his mother’s side. His paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy.

DeSantis is proud of his Italian heritage in particular and has talked about how his grandfather’s hard work ethic influenced him. He considers himself white or Caucasian.

Ethnically, DeSantis represents the typical European ancestral background of many Americans. However, some critics have accused him of not understanding racial issues facing minority groups. His Italian and Irish ancestry shapes his worldview but also distances him from the experiences of historically marginalized communities.

 Net Worth of Ron DeSantis

As of 2022, Ron DeSantis has an estimated net worth of around $350,000. The bulk of his wealth comes from his salary as Florida governor, which is approximately $134,000 per year.

Before becoming governor, DeSantis had a relatively modest net worth for someone of his education and professional background. His financial disclosures when running for governor in 2018 showed a net worth of around $310,000.

Most of this was from his congressional salary, military pension, and a mortgage on his home. DeSantis did not come from a wealthy family, and his Ivy League education left him with significant student loan debt.

Since becoming governor, DeSantis has seen his income and net worth rise significantly. In addition to his salary, he earned money from book deals and paid speaking engagements.