Who Is Julie Payette? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Julie Payette was born on October 20, 1963, making her 61 years old as of 2025. She is a notable figure in Canada, having served as the 29th Governor General of Canada from 2017 to 2021. Before that, she had a distinguished career as an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), flying on two space shuttle missions and logging over 600 hours in orbit. Payette is recognized not only for her contributions to space exploration but also for her advocacy on various scientific and educational initiatives.
| Occupation | Scientists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1963 |
| Age | 61 Years |
| Birth Place | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Canada |
Popularity
Julie Payette's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Julie Payette stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. While specific weight details are less publicly available, Payette has maintained a professional appearance throughout her career. Her measurements are often described as representative of an athletic build, indicative of her years in rigorous training as an astronaut.
Payette flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery from May 27 to June 6, 1999, as part of the crew of STS-96. During the mission, the crew performed the first manual docking of the shuttle to the International Space Station, and delivered four tons of logistics and supplies to the station. On Discovery, Payette served as a mission specialist.
Her main responsibility was to operate the Canadarm robotic arm from the space station. The STS-96 mission was accomplished in 153 orbits of the Earth, traveling over 6000000 km in 9 days, 19 hours and 13 minutes. Payette became the first Canadian to participate in an ISS assembly mission and to board the Space Station.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Julie Payette’s relationship status has garnered interest from the public. Previously married to fellow astronaut, William W. (Bill) Payette, the couple divorced in 2013. As of now, there is no confirmed information about any new boyfriend or partner. Payette is known for maintaining a level of privacy regarding her personal life, focusing mainly on her professional endeavors.
She was also charged with second degree assault in Maryland, on November 24, 2011. At least one anonymously quoted source has alleged that the victim of the assault was her then-husband, Billie Flynn. Though the charges were later dropped, the couple split several weeks later and subsequently divorced.
Payette has stated that charges were "unfounded" but refused to comment further on the circumstances leading to her being charged with assault. These incidents raised questions on the vetting process as she had been selected by Prime Minister Trudeau without consulting an ad hoc committee of experts.
Such a committee was the means by which outgoing Governor General David Johnston had been selected by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper. Once Payette was named Governor General-designate, media organizations pressed for the release of the divorce records, which Payette initially attempted to keep sealed before abandoning the bid.
Net Worth and Salary
Julie Payette's net worth is estimated to be around $6 million as of 2025. This wealth has been accrued through her illustrious career in academia, aviation, and public service. While serving as Governor General, her salary was reported to be around CAD 150,000, in addition to various speaking engagements and consultancy roles that contribute to her earnings.
Career, Business, and Investments
Julie Payette's career spans multiple sectors. After earning her degree in electrical engineering from McGill University, she began her journey with the CSA, where she flew on Space Shuttle missions STS-96 and STS-127. After her tenure as Governor General, she returned to her advocacy work in STEM education and continues to engage in various consulting roles. Payette also involves herself in business initiatives that focus on technology and innovation, aligning with her background and experience.
For the next three years, Payette was chief operating officer of the Montreal Science Centre of the Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal. During that time, she was also a vice president of the Canada Lands Company. She abruptly left the Science Centre after a prolonged strike, as she was tired of the battles that came with her position.
Prior to her departure numerous employees came forward alleging verbal abuse that created a hostile working environment, as Payette was "intimidating" and "determined to be very hands-on and in control of every aspect".
Social Network
Julie Payette maintains a limited but impactful presence on social media platforms. While she does not have personal accounts actively updating her followers, her professional achievements and public appearances are often highlighted through official channels related to the Governor General's office and the Canadian Space Agency, as well as news outlets covering her endeavors in public service and advocacy.
On July 21, 2020, CBC News reported that Payette had allegedly created a toxic work environment at Rideau Hall by verbally abusing employees. Two days later, spurred on by the CBC News report, the Privy Council Office formally launched an investigation into her conduct.
Many former employees of the Montreal Science Centre told the National Post they witnessed similarly abusive behaviour by Payette in her time at the institution, although others described her behaviour as the result of rigorously high standards. Payette said that she supported the investigation into the workplace harassment.
The Privy Council Office's independent report found that Payette presided over a toxic work environment, detailing "yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning comments and public humiliations."
Education
Julie Payette’s educational background is impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University and later earned a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Her academic achievements laid a strong foundation for her career as an astronaut, engineer, and public figure, demonstrating her commitment to education and lifelong learning.
In summary, Julie Payette continues to be a prominent figure in Canada, inspiring many with her contributions to science, leadership, and education as she navigates her professional journey in 2025.
Payette holds engineering degrees from McGill University and the University of Toronto. She worked as a research scientist before joining the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in 1992 as a member of the Canadian Astronaut Corps. She completed two spaceflights, STS-96 and STS-127, and has logged more than 25 days in space.
She also served as capsule communicator at NASA Mission Control Center in Houston and from 2000 to 2007 as CSA's chief astronaut.
