Who Is John Brennan (CIA officer)? Age, Biography and Wiki
John Brennan was born on September 22, 1955, making him 69 years old in 2025. Brennan served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. With a career spanning several decades in intelligence and national security, he has been an influential figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy and intelligence operations.
Brennan's career began in 1980 when he joined the CIA, and he has held various positions throughout his tenure, including serving as the Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. His extensive experience in the intelligence community has made him a key commentator on global security issues.
Occupation | Executives |
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Date of Birth | September 22, 1955 |
Age | 69 Years |
Birth Place | North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S. |
Horoscope | Virgo |
Country | Jersey |
Popularity
John Brennan (CIA officer)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, John Brennan stands at approximately 6 feet tall and weighs around 180 pounds. His physical statistics include a healthy and robust build, which reflects his active lifestyle, even in his later years.
During testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee in June 2016, Brennan warned of the threat posed by ISIL claiming it had the ability to draw on a "large cadre of Western fighters" and reiterated the threats posed by lone wolf attackers, calling them "an exceptionally challenging issue for the intelligence community".
Brennan detailed ISIL's size to the committee, specifying they had more fighters than al-Qaeda at its height and that they were spread between Africa and southwest Asia.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
John Brennan is known to maintain a relatively private personal life. He is married to Kathy Brennan, and the couple has two children together. While the public is less informed about his dating history, his long-standing marriage indicates stability and commitment in his personal life.
and Dorothy (Dunn) Brennan. His Irish father, a blacksmith, emigrated from County Roscommon, Ireland, to New Jersey in 1948. He became a steamfitter, working in Hoboken at Maxwell House. His mother was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy and employed by the Moore-McCormick shipping company as well as being an active community volunteer.
His family includes a sister and a brother. Brennan attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Elementary School and was graduated from Saint Joseph of the Palisades High School in West New York, New Jersey.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, John Brennan's estimated net worth is around $10 million. This figure comes from his extensive career within the CIA, his tenure as a high-profile government official, and his work as a consultant and commentator in the realm of national security. Brennan’s annual salary during his time at the CIA reached significant figures, contributing to his overall wealth.
Career, Business, and Investments
John Brennan's career has been predominantly focused on national security and intelligence. After leaving the CIA, he has engaged in various consulting roles, providing his expertise to several private intelligence and security firms. Additionally, he has appeared as a commentator on major news outlets, discussing current events and intelligence matters.
In terms of investments, Brennan has been known to invest in various tech startups and firms focusing on cybersecurity, reflecting his interest in the evolving landscape of national security.
Brennan withdrew his name from consideration for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during Obama's first term over concerns about his support for torture, after defending on television the transferring of terror suspects to countries where they might be tortured while serving under President George W. Bush.
Instead, Brennan was appointed Deputy National Security Advisor, a position which did not require Senate confirmation.
Social Network
John Brennan is active on several social media platforms, where he shares insights on intelligence, security, and political affairs. His Twitter account (@JohnBrennan) has a substantial following, allowing him to engage with the public and spread awareness about critical issues facing the intelligence community.
In April 2012, Brennan was the first Obama administration official to publicly acknowledge CIA drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. In his speech, he explained the legality, morality, and effectiveness of the program. The ACLU and other organizations disagreed.
In 2011–2012, he also helped reorganize the process, under the aegis of the Disposition Matrix database, by which people outside of war zones were put on the list of drone targets. According to an Associated Press story, the reorganization helped "concentrate power" over the process inside the White House administration.
According to The New York Times, Brennan was the "principal coordinator" of U.S. kill lists. Former Obama administration counter-terrorism official Daniel Benjamin has stated that Brennan "probably had more power and influence than anyone in a comparable position in the last 20 years".
Education
John Brennan graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in political science in 1977. He later earned a master's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin. His educational background has greatly contributed to his understanding of international relations and strategic governance.
Brennan attended Fordham University and earned a B.A. in political science in 1977. His studies included a junior year abroad learning Arabic and taking courses at the American University in Cairo. He speaks Arabic fluently. While a college student, he voted for the Communist Party USA candidate, Gus Hall, in the 1976 presidential election.
He later described his vote as a way of "signaling my unhappiness with the system", specifically the partisanship of the Watergate era. After Fordham, Brennan attended the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a Master of Arts in government with a concentration in Middle East studies in 1980.