Who Is John Howard? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on July 26, 1939, John Howard is currently 85 years old. He served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007, becoming one of the longest-serving leaders in Australian history. Howard is known for his conservative policies and significant contributions to economic growth during his tenure. His leadership style and policies have had a lasting impact on the Australian political landscape.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1939 |
| Age | 85 Years |
| Birth Place | Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Australia |
Popularity
John Howard's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, John Howard stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. While his current weight is not publicly specified, it is known that he has maintained a relatively healthy lifestyle in his later years. His casual yet polished appearance has always been a characteristic feature of his public persona.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
John Howard has been married to his wife, Janette Howard, since 1971. The couple shares a close bond and has been through the ups and downs of political life together. They have two children: a daughter, Melanie, and a son, Timothy. As of 2025, there is no public indication of any relationship outside of his marriage.
His mother had been an office worker until her marriage, while his father and his paternal grandfather, Walter Howard, were both veterans of the First Australian Imperial Force in the First World War. They also ran two Dulwich Hill petrol stations where Howard worked as a boy. In 1955, when Howard was aged 16, his father died, leaving his mother to take care of him.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, John Howard's estimated net worth is around $30 million AUD. This wealth has been accrued through his long political career, books, and speaking engagements. Howard's extensive experience in governance and public policy has made him a sought-after figure for commentary and advisory roles in various sectors.
In December 1977, aged 38, Howard was appointed Treasurer, in place of Phillip Lynch. He was the youngest Treasurer since Chris Watson in 1904. Fraser said in his memoirs that he appointed him despite his limited experience because "he was bright and he got across a brief well, and he was a good manager".
During his five years in the position, Howard became an adherent of free-market economics, which was challenging economic orthodoxies in place for most of the century.
He came to favour tax reform including broad-based taxation (later the GST), a freer industrial system including the dismantling of the centralised wage-fixing system, the abolition of compulsory trade unionism, privatisation and deregulation.
Career, Business, and Investments
John Howard's political career is marked by significant milestones, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and strong border protection policies. After leaving office, Howard has remained active in public life through various initiatives. He serves as a consultant and advisor to international organizations and corporations, making substantial contributions in the fields of economic policy and governance. Additionally, Howard has authored multiple books, which have also contributed to his income.
He was a commercial lawyer before entering parliament. A former federal president of the Young Liberals, he first stood for office at the 1968 New South Wales state election, but lost narrowly. At the 1974 federal election, Howard was elected as a member of parliament (MP) for the division of Bennelong.
He was promoted to cabinet in 1977, and later in the year replaced Phillip Lynch as treasurer of Australia, remaining in that position until the defeat of Malcolm Fraser's government at the 1983 election. In 1985, Howard was elected leader of the Liberal Party for the first time, thus replacing Andrew Peacock as Leader of the Opposition.
He led the Liberal–National coalition to the 1987 federal election, but lost to Bob Hawke's Labor government, and was removed from the leadership in 1989. Remaining a key figure in the party, Howard was re-elected leader in 1995, replacing Alexander Downer, and subsequently led the Coalition to a landslide victory at the 1996 federal election.
Social Network
Although John Howard is not as active on social media compared to younger public figures, he does maintain a presence on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. His accounts are used primarily for sharing insights on political affairs and engaging with the public about his perspectives on contemporary issues.
Following the defeat of the Fraser government and Fraser's subsequent resignation from parliament, Howard contested the Liberal leadership against Andrew Peacock, losing 36–20. However, he was re-elected as deputy leader. The Liberal Party were again defeated by Labor at the early 1984 election.
In 1985, as Labor's position in opinion polls improved, Peacock's popularity sank and Howard's profile rose. Leadership speculation persisted, and Peacock said he would no longer accept Howard as deputy unless he offered assurances that he would not challenge for the leadership.
Following Howard's refusal to offer such an assurance, Peacock sought, in September 1985, to replace him with John Moore as deputy leader. The party room re-elected Howard as deputy on 5 September 38 votes to 31, which Peacock treated as a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
He subsequently called a leadership ballot, which he chose not to contest. Howard defeated Jim Carlton by 57 votes to six, thus becoming Leader of the Opposition.
Education
John Howard attended the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a degree in economics and political science. His educational background provided him with a strong foundation for his future in politics, allowing him to understand the intricacies of economic policy and governance.
Media analysis of The Australian Election Study, a postal survey of 1,873 voters during the 2007 poll, found that although respondents respected Howard and thought he had won the 6-week election campaign, Howard was considered "at odds with public opinion on cut-through issues", his opponent had achieved the highest "likeability" rating in the surv
ey's 20-year history, and a majority had decided their voting intention before the election campaign.
