Who Is Tammy Duckworth? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on March 12, 1968, Tammy Duckworth is a prominent American politician and military officer. As of 2025, she is 57 years old. Duckworth is currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Illinois, a position she has held since 2017. Known for her advocacy on veterans' issues, health care, and disability rights, Tammy has a compelling biography that reflects her dedication to public service and her historic journey as one of the first female combat veterans elected to Congress.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 12, 1968 |
| Age | 57 Years |
| Birth Place | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Thailand |
Popularity
Tammy Duckworth's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Tammy Duckworth stands at an impressive 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall and weighs approximately 150 lbs (68 kg). Her body stats reflect a healthy lifestyle, which she maintains through regular exercise and a balanced diet. Although she has faced physical challenges as a result of her military service, her resilience and commitment to health remain notable aspects of her life.
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Duckworth was educated at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and George Washington University. She joined the United States Army Reserve in 1992, and served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in the Iraq war.
In 2004, when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents, she lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm. She was the first female double amputee from the war.
Despite her injuries, she was awarded a medical waiver to continue serving in the Illinois Army National Guard for another ten years until she retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2014.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Tammy Duckworth is happily married to Bryan Bowlsbey, a fellow military veteran. The couple has been together for years and shares two children, Abigail and Maile. Duckworth's family life is an inspiring aspect of her journey, as she balances her responsibilities as a mother and politician, promoting family values and support within her community.
Her father, who died in 2005, was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps who traced his family's roots to the American Revolution. Duckworth is also descended from Henry Coe, her 6th-great grandfather, who owned four slaves mentioned in freedom clauses of his 1827 will; according to Duckworth, although "gut wrenching". . .
"it's a disservice to our nation and our history to walk away from this [fact]. If I am going to claim—and be proud that—I am a Daughter of the American Revolution, then I have to acknowledge that I am also a daughter of people who enslaved other people". Her mother is Thai Chinese, originally from Chiang Mai.
Her father was a Baptist, who after his military service worked with the United Nations and international companies in refugee, housing, and development programs. As the family moved around Southeast Asia for her father's work, Duckworth became fluent in Thai and Indonesian, in addition to English.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Tammy Duckworth's estimated net worth is around $2 million. Her salary as a United States Senator is approximately $174,000 per year. In addition to her congressional salary, Duckworth has garnered income from her previous roles in the military and various advisory positions, contributing to her overall wealth.
On April 3, 2013, Duckworth publicly returned 8.4% ($1,218) of her congressional salary for that month to the United States Department of Treasury in solidarity with furloughed government workers.
Career, Business, and Investments
Duckworth's career began in the military, where she served as a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War, sustaining severe injuries that led to the amputation of both her legs. This experience propelled her into public service, and she has since held positions such as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Her work in the Senate focuses on veterans' rights, health care reform, and women's issues. While she has not publicly engaged in substantial business ventures, her investments are likely limited, focusing more on public service than private enterprise.
On February 3, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Duckworth to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). and the United States Senate confirmed her for the position on April 22. As Assistant Secretary, she coordinated a joint initiative with the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development to help end Veteran homelessness, worked to address the unique challenges faced by female as well as Native American Veterans, and created the Office of Online Communications to improve the VA's accessibility, especially among young Veterans.
Duckworth resigned her position in June 2011 in order to launch her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 8th congressional district in the 2012 election.
Social Network
Tammy Duckworth is active on various social media platforms, where she engages with her constituents and the public. You can follow her on:
- Twitter: @SenDuckworth
- Instagram: @tammyduckworth
- Facebook: Tammy Duckworth
On November 21, 2006, several weeks after losing her first congressional campaign, Duckworth was appointed director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Rod Blagojevich. She served in that position until February 8, 2009. While director, she was credited with starting a program to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans with brain injuries.
Education
Tammy Duckworth attended the University of Hawaii, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. She later obtained a Master's degree in International Affairs from George Washington University, further grounding her in the principles of governance that inform her work. Her educational background laid the foundation for her commitment to public service and her expertise in military and veterans' affairs.
In summary, Tammy Duckworth's journey in 2025 illustrates a compelling narrative of resilience, dedication, and service. Her work as a senator continues to impact the lives of many, and her story serves as an inspiration for those looking to effect change in their communities.
After moving to Illinois, Duckworth began a PhD program at Northern Illinois University, with interests in public health and the politics of southeast Asia, which was interrupted by her war service. She completed a PhD in human services at Capella University School of Public Service Leadership in March 2015.
Her dissertation was titled Exploring Illinois physicians' experience using electronic medical records (EMR) via the UTAUT model.
