Who Is James Carville? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on October 25, 1944, James Carville is 80 years old as of 2025. A prominent American political consultant, Carville is famed for his role as the lead strategist in Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign. Known for his Southern charm and sharp wit, Carville has established himself as a key figure in American politics, often sharing insights on strategy and communication.
For more detailed biographical information, you can check his Wikipedia page.
Occupation | President |
---|---|
Date of Birth | October 25, 1944 |
Age | 80 Years |
Birth Place | Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S. |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Country | Georgia |
Popularity
James Carville's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
James Carville stands at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm). His weight fluctuates around 160 lbs (73 kg), showcasing a lean physique. Carville’s measurements reflect an active lifestyle, which he maintains through various engagements in political commentary and public speaking.
In June 1992, trailing George H. W. Bush and Ross Perot in the polls, Clinton limped toward the national convention, while the Los Angeles riots crowded him out of news coverage. Carville knew he needed to bring Clinton back into the news limelight.
He did so by orchestrating Clinton's splashy criticism of hip hop artist Sister Souljah in a prepared speech Clinton delivered at the Rainbow Coalition's June 1992 "Rebuild America" conference in Washington, D.C.
Sister Souljah had remarked: "If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?" Clinton responded in his speech by saying, "If you took the words, 'white' and 'black' and you reversed them, you might think David Duke was giving that speech." Clinton refuted the suggestion that his speech was a calculated attem
pt to appeal to moderate and conservative swing voters by standing up to a core Democratic constituency.
The speech had the effect of opening up a public war between Clinton and Jesse Jackson.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Carville is married to fellow political consultant Mary Matalin, with whom he shares a strong partnership in both life and work. The couple has been known for their bipartisan relationship, often appearing together on various media platforms. While there are no public indications of a boyfriend or girlfriend outside of this marriage, the focus remains on their unique dynamic as a couple navigating the fast-paced world of politics.
Army hospital at Georgia's Fort Benning, where his father was stationed during World War II. While his mother, Lucille (née Normand), had stayed behind in Carville, Louisiana, where James was raised, she traveled to Fort Benning long enough to have her firstborn son born there.
Later, Carville noted: "We were availing ourselves to free government health services." Lucille Carville, a former school teacher, spoke French at home, and sold the World Book Encyclopedia door to door. His father, Chester James Carville Sr., was a postmaster and owner of a general store.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, James Carville’s estimated net worth is around $10 million. His salary primarily stems from his extensive career in political consulting, speaking engagements, and media appearances. Carville’s savvy investments and strategic business ventures have also contributed significantly to his wealth.
In 1987, Carville worked as a campaign manager to cast Kentucky businessman Wallace Wilkinson as a self-made millionaire anti-establishment gubernatorial candidate.
Wilkinson, who had made his fortune in retail, and real estate development, and who was sued for not paying overtime to his employees, and refused to release his tax returns to the public, charged his Democratic primary opponents with wanting to raise taxes, and continually campaigned on creating a state lottery to raise public revenue.
Career, Business and Investments
Carville’s career spans decades, beginning as a political consultant and evolving into a well-respected figure in political analysis. He has advised numerous Democratic campaigns and is known for his expertise in communication and strategy. Beyond politics, Carville has ventured into business, particularly in media, where he has appeared on television and contributed to various publications. His investments are diversified, although specific details about them remain private.
Following his military enlistment, Carville finished his studies at LSU at night, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in general studies in 1970 and his Juris Doctor degree in 1973. Carville is a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He later worked as a junior high school science teacher.
Before entering politics, Carville worked as an attorney at McKernnan, Beychok, Screen and Pierson, a Baton Rouge law firm, from 1973 to 1979.
Social Network
James Carville actively engages with his audience through social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. He often shares commentary on current political events, insights into his personal life, and interactions with followers. His social media presence helps him maintain relevance in today’s rapidly changing political landscape.
Carville sought to shield Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' allegations of her extramarital sexual affair, which emerged shortly before the 1992 New Hampshire Democratic primary. Carville alleged that a supermarket tabloid paid Flowers $175,000 for sharing her story, and that "the mainstream media got sucker-punched" by her allegations.
Carville set out to shame the press, berating reporters with charges of "cash for trash" journalism, and noted: "I'm a lot more expensive than Gennifer Flowers.". Flowers later brought a civil suit against Carville in 1999 (see below).
Education
Carville graduated from Louisiana State University in 1970 with a degree in political science. His education laid the groundwork for his career in political consultancy, providing him with a profound understanding of the electoral process and strategy development. Continued learning and adaptation have been pivotal in his ongoing success.
Among Carville's earliest political campaign work was ripping down the campaign signs of a candidate for public office during high school. Carville graduated from Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, in 1962.