Who Is Leon Panetta? Age, Biography and Wiki
Leon Panetta was born on June 28, 1938, making him 86 years old in 2025. A prominent American retired politician, Panetta has served in various significant governmental roles, including as the Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA under President Barack Obama. His political career is distinguished by a commitment to public service, where he played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign and domestic policies.
| Occupation | Republicans |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 28, 1938 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Monterey, California, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Leon Panetta's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As a public figure, specific measurements like height and weight are often noted. Leon Panetta stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). His weight is generally reported to be around 170 lbs (77 kg). While specific body stats may vary, it's evident that Panetta maintains a professional appearance befitting his esteemed career.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Regarding his personal life, Leon Panetta is married to Sylvia Panetta, his wife since 1966. The couple has three children together, contributing to a family-centric legacy through their shared commitment to service and community. While there are no public reports of any relationships beyond his marriage, Leon and Sylvia have been dedicated partners in both life and public endeavors.
Panetta and his wife Sylvia founded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy in December 1997 and served as co-directors there until 2009, when Panetta was appointed CIA director by Barack Obama while he was president.
He has since returned to the institute in the role of chairman, while his wife serves as co-chair and CEO, supervising the institute's day-to-day operations.
The institute is located at California State University, Monterey Bay, a campus Panetta was instrumental in creating on the site of the decommissioned Fort Ord Army base when he was a Congressman. Coincidentally, Panetta was stationed at Fort Ord in the 1960s during his service as an Army intelligence officer.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Leon Panetta has an estimated net worth of around $15 million. This impressive figure stems from his extensive political career, including high-profile roles and speaking engagements. Although specific salaries for positions held decades ago may not be public knowledge, his earnings from government service, writing, and consulting contribute significantly to his overall wealth.
Career, Business and Investments
Leon Panetta's career has spanned several decades, starting as an attorney before transitioning into politics. He served as a U.S. Congressman from California's 16th District, later becoming the White House Chief of Staff and ultimately the Secretary of Defense. His notable achievements include overseeing military operations against al-Qaeda and advocating for military reforms. In addition to his political career, Panetta has made investments in various sectors, including education and technology, reinforcing his commitment to public service and innovation.
In 1994, President Clinton became increasingly concerned about a lack of order and focus in the White House, an issue that stretched from foreign to domestic policy and political matters. Clinton, who had vowed to run a professional operation, asked Panetta to become his new chief of staff, replacing Mack McLarty.
According to author Nigel Hamilton, "Panetta replaced McLarty for the rest of Clinton's first term—and the rest is history.
To be a great leader, a modern president must have a great chief of staff—and in Leon Panetta, Clinton got the enforcer he deserved." Panetta was appointed White House chief of staff on July 17, 1994, and he held that position until January 20, 1997.
He was a key negotiator of the 1996 budget, which was another important step toward bringing the budget into balance.
Social Network
Leon Panetta is active on several social media platforms, where he shares insights and opinions on current political affairs. He can be found on Twitter and LinkedIn, using these platforms to engage with the public and express his views on various issues concerning national security and governance.
Former CIA officer Ishmael Jones stated that Panetta was a wise choice, because of his close personal connection to the president and lack of exposure to the CIA bureaucracy.
Also, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius said that Panetta did have exposure to intelligence operations as director of the OMB and as chief of staff for President Bill Clinton, where he "sat in on the daily intelligence briefings as chief of staff, and he reviewed the nation's most secret intelligence-collection and covert-action programs in
his previous post as director of the Office of Management and Budget".
Education
Leon Panetta graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He furthered his education by obtaining a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. His academic background has paved the way for his extensive career in politics and law, making him a respected figure in American governance.
Panetta was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993. He served under President Bill Clinton as director of the Office of Management and Budget from 1993 to 1994 and as White House chief of staff from 1994 to 1997.
He cofounded the Panetta Institute for Public Policy in 1997 and served as a distinguished scholar to chancellor Charles B. Reed of the California State University System and as a professor of public policy at Santa Clara University.
