Who Is George Pataki? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on June 24, 1945, George Pataki is known for his pivotal role as the Governor of New York from 1995 to 2006. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki made history by becoming the first Republican to hold the governor's office in New York since 1974. As of 2025, he is 79 years old. With a distinguished political career, Pataki was known for his efforts in tax reduction, education reform, and recovery from the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 24, 1945 |
| Age | 79 Years |
| Birth Place | Peekskill, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
George Pataki's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
George Pataki stands at an estimated height of 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm). While his exact weight is not publicly documented, he is recognized for maintaining a fit and healthy physique, which reflects his active lifestyle and dedication to fitness.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Pataki has been married to Elizabeth "Libby" Pataki since 1972, and the couple has four children together. As of 2025, there is no public information indicating any significant changes in his relationship status. His long-standing marriage is noted for its strong foundation built upon shared values and political engagement.
Pataki's paternal grandfather was Pataki János (known in the U.S. as John Pataki, 1883–1971) of Aranyosapáti, Kingdom of Hungary.
The family name's Hungarian pronunciation is and means "from the creek (little river)." János came to the United States in 1908, worked in a hat factory and had married Erzsébet (later Elizabeth; 1887–1975), also Hungarian-born, around 1904. Their son, Pataki's father, was Louis P.
Pataki (1912–1996), a mailman and volunteer fire chief, who ran the Pataki Farm. Pataki's maternal grandfather was Matteo Laganà (born in Calabria, Italy in 1889), who married Agnes Lynch of County Louth, Ireland around 1914. Their daughter, Margaret Lagana (1915–2017), is Pataki's mother. Pataki has an older brother, Louis.
Pataki speaks some Hungarian as well as Spanish, French, and German.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, George Pataki's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. His wealth is attributed to his political career, various business ventures, and involvement in consulting and public speaking. While serving as governor, Pataki also earned a substantial salary which contributed to his net worth over the years.
Under the Pataki Administration, New York's credit rating was increased three times by Moody's Investors Service, a fact that he highlighted often before his critics. During his three terms in office, he introduced and approved more tax cuts than any of his predecessors.
Following through on a campaign promise, Pataki led a push to cut both the individual and the corporate tax rates in New York.
The state's infamously high income tax rates dropped by 20% on average, but an economic downturn following the attacks of September 11 and increasing state spending caused Sheldon Silver and Joseph Bruno to coordinate an effort to roll back a number of these cuts in 2003 over Pataki's veto power.
Career, Business and Investments
George Pataki's career spans three primary sectors: politics, law, and business. After completing his law degree from Columbia Law School, he entered politics, eventually leading him to govern New York. Post-governorship, Pataki transitioned towards consulting and public speaking, leveraging his experience in leadership and governance. He has also engaged in various investment opportunities, focusing particularly on energy and healthcare sectors, reflecting his interest in sustainable development.
Pataki sought the nomination of the Independence Party of New York in his bid for a third term as well. He faced the party's founder and 1994 and 1998 nominee, Thomas Golisano, in his bid for the nomination. Pataki ran an active primary campaign and lost to Golisano. Donohue did win the primary for lieutenant governor and was the running mate of both Pataki and Golisano in the general election.
Social Network
George Pataki is active on social media, particularly on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where he engages with his followers and discusses political issues, community events, and personal interests. His online presence helps him remain connected to his supporters and the public, often sharing insights on American politics and state affairs.
McCall essentially secured the Democratic nomination when Andrew Cuomo stumbled (and ultimately withdrew before the primary at the urging of his mentor Bill Clinton); Cuomo was quoted in the media as saying, regarding Pataki's performance post-9/11:
Education
Pataki graduated from Columbia University with a degree in political science before attending Columbia Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his later career in law and politics, providing him with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of governance.
After graduating from Peekskill High School, Pataki entered Yale University in 1963 on an academic scholarship and graduated in 1967 with a history major. While there, Pataki was Chairman of the Conservative Party of the Yale Political Union, where he participated in debates. He received his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1970.
