Who Is Rod Blagojevich? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Rod Blagojevich was born on December 10, 1956, which makes him 68 years old in 2025. He served as the Governor of Illinois from 2003 until his impeachment in 2009. Known for his charismatic personality and political ambitions, Blagojevich has been a figure of both controversy and resilience. His tenure was marked by significant political challenges and legal battles, leading to federal charges of corruption.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 10, 1956 |
| Age | 68 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Rod Blagojevich's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Rod Blagojevich stands at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm). Throughout his life in the public eye, Blagojevich has maintained a relatively slim build, weighing approximately 185 pounds (84 kg). His appearance has often been noted for its distinctive features, including his thick dark hair and expressive demeanor.
In February 2006, Blagojevich appeared on The Daily Show to discuss the governor's executive order that pharmacists must dispense any drugs for which a customer had a valid prescription, including birth control pills and Plan B. This measure was being challenged on the show by state legislator Ron Stephens from Greenville, Illinois.
Blagojevich was interviewed by Jason Jones, who repeatedly pretended to be unable to pronounce Blagojevich's name and simply called him "Governor Smith".
At one point in the interview, Jones, who was acting as if he were against the governor's order, told him, "I'll be in charge of what my listeners hear." This prompted Blagojevich to turn to the camera and ask, "Is he teasing me or is that legit?" Two weeks after the interview, Blagojevich said that he was unaware of the nature of the show.
Stephens said he knew beforehand that the show was a comedy show: "I thought the governor was hip enough that he would have known that, too."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Rod Blagojevich is married to Patricia Blagojevich, and the couple has two daughters together. Their relationship has been subject to public scrutiny, especially during the turbulent times of Blagojevich's legal battles. As of 2025, Rod and Patricia continue to support each other through the ups and downs of their relationships and personal life.
His father, Rade B. Blagojevich, was an immigrant steel plant laborer from a village near Kragujevac, PR Serbia. His mother, Mila, was a Herzegovinian Serb whose family was originally from Gacko, PR Bosnia and Herzegovina. His parents moved to Chicago in 1947. He grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago.
Blagojevich's older brother Rob worked as a fund-raiser for Blagojevich in his later political career. Blagojevich spent much of his childhood working odd jobs to help the family pay its bills. He was a shoeshiner and pizza delivery boy before working at a meatpacking plant.
In order to afford university costs, Blagojevich worked for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System as a dishwasher.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Rod Blagojevich's net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. While this figure reflects financial hardships during his legal issues, it also embodies his post-political career endeavors. His salary during his time as governor was approximately $170,000 annually, but his financial landscape shifted dramatically due to legal fees and other expenses related to his impeachment.
After the 2002 elections, Democrats had control of the Illinois House, Senate, and all but one statewide office.
While in office, Blagojevich signed progressive legislation such as ethics reform, death penalty reform, a state Earned Income Tax Credit, a statewide comprehensive smoking ban and expansions of health programs like KidCare and FamilyCare (FamilyCare was ruled unconstitutional).
Blagojevich signed a bill in 2005 that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. Blagojevich originally campaigned against pork barrel spending, but eventually used it himself to gain more votes for bills.
Career, Business, and Investments
After his impeachment and subsequent prison sentence, Rod Blagojevich has worked on revitalizing his career. In recent years, he has transitioned to media appearances, including guest spots and reality TV shows. His comeback is a testament to his resilience and determination to regain a foothold in the public sphere. Although his legal troubles affected his political career, Blagojevich has actively engaged in various speaking events and has been involved in advocacy efforts for criminal justice reform.
Born and raised in Chicago, Blagojevich graduated from Northwestern University in 1979 and the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983. After graduating, he became a criminal prosecutor at the Cook County State's Attorney Office during the late 1980s.
Turning to elective politics, he represented the 33rd state house district in the Illinois House of Representatives where he supported mostly law and order policies. Forgoing a third two-year term in the state legislature, he represented Illinois's 5th congressional district for six years, winning re-election twice.
He was elected Illinois governor in 2002, the first Democrat to win the office since 1972. There was increased public education funding, infrastructure development, and criminal justice reforms during his first term.
Blagojevich's 2006 reelection to a second term led to the passage of a variety of healthcare, gun control, and anti-discrimination bills.
Social Network
Rod Blagojevich has adapted to the modern landscape of social media, using it as a platform to connect with supporters and share his journey. He is active on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where he engages with followers about his views on political issues and his personal experiences. His presence online has been crucial in shaping public perception as he seeks to rebuild his reputation.
Soon after a meeting in 2007 with Democratic state senator Mike Jacobs, meant to convince Jacobs to vote for Blagojevich's health insurance proposals, Jacobs emerged telling reporters that the governor "blew up at him like a 10-year-old child" and threatened to ruin his political career; Blagojevich would not comment on the alleged incident.
Jacobs said in 2008: "This is a governor who I don't think has a single ally, except for Senate president Emil Jones — and that's tenuous at best." Jones and Blagojevich sometimes collaborated, while at other times they disagreed on funding for education.
Education
Rod Blagojevich attended Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and communications. He later went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the Chicago Kent College of Law. His educational background laid the groundwork for his early career in law and politics, helping him navigate the complex world of political governance in Illinois.
Blagojevich graduated from Chicago's Foreman High School after transferring from Lane Technical High School. He played basketball in high school, and participated in two fights after training as a Golden Gloves boxer. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Tampa.
After two years, he transferred to Northwestern University in suburban Evanston, where he graduated in 1979 with a B.A. in history. He earned his J.D. from the Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983.
He later said of the experience: "I went to law school at a place called Pepperdine in Malibu, California, overlooking the Pacific Ocean — a lot of surfing and movie stars and all the rest. I barely knew where that law library was."
