AOC’s net worth revealed: How rich is the leader of the American progressive left?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, commonly referred to as AOC, is an American left-wing politician and activist who has served as the U.S. House Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district since 2019. A prominent American progressive-left leader, she is also the youngest Congresswoman ever. This article will reveal AOC’s net worth and disclose her public income sources. 

How rich is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attended Yorktown High School and graduated cum laude from Boston University in 2011 with a B.A. in both international relations and economics. During college, she interned for U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, claiming she was the only Spanish-speaking person in the office.

After graduating, AOC returned to the Bronx and found work as a bartender and waitress to fight the foreclosure of her family home. She launched Brook Avenue Press, a former publishing company dedicated to displaying the Bronx from a positive perspective.

During the 2016 primary, she worked as an organizer for Bernie Sanders‘ presidential campaign. She has stated that her visit to North Dakota after the Flint water crisis and the Dakota Access Pipeline protests shattered her earlier belief that the only way to run for office required access to wealth, influence, and power. 

Ocasio-Cortez started her political career in 2018 when her effective grassroots campaign led her to win against long-time incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary. The stunning upset immediately launched her to national prominence, and she became a prominent face of the Democratic Socialists of America organization. She has been re-elected ever since.

Disclaimer: While we strive to estimate net worth accurately from filings, disclosure rules have shortcomings. Personal residences, certain personal property, and federal retirement accounts are often not reported. Large assets can be listed in broad categories like “Over $1 million” or “Over $50 million,” potentially worth much more. Likewise, state financial forms may omit residential property and liabilities like mortgages.

How did AOC make her money?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s net worth is notably low, making her one of the poorest members of Congress. Despite holding a dual B.A. in economics and international relations, she worked menial jobs besides activism before entering politics. Here’s an overview of the streams contributing to AOC’s net worth:

• Bartending: Immediately following her college studies, Ocasio-Cortez took jobs as a waitress and bartender in the Bronx to help her family stave off home foreclosure;

• Politics: As a U.S. House Representative from New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earns an annual salary of $174,000.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s assets and liabilities

AOC has few assets in her name, so we’ll list them all here:

• Allied Bank Savings Account – valued between $1,001 and $15,000;
• Charles Schwab Bank Checking – valued between $1,001 and $15,000;
• National Hispanic Institute Inc 401k Plan ⇒ PRUDENTIAL HIGH YIELD Z – valued between $1,001 and $15,000;
• Charles Schwab One Brokerage – valued between $1 and $1,000.

That said, her student loan liability is what draws AOC’s net worth into the negatives:

• U.S. Dept. of Education student loan – valued between $15,001 and $50,000.

Insider trading involvement

The progressive young Congresswoman has never been accused of insider trading. After all, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s net worth likely lies below zero, and her financial position prevents her from investing. She does not own and does not trade individual stocks.

Furthermore, AOC has been actively advocating legislation banning lawmakers from owning stock.

Who is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx, New York, on October 13, 1989. She is a U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district and a prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America and the Democratic Party.

Following her 2018 Democratic primary upset, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez represents the face of a growing movement within the Democrats that focuses on income inequality, climate change, and universal healthcare reform. After all, AOC’s net worth before and after getting elected makes her an ideal candidate for the 99% movement.

She is a vocal critic of Donald Trump and has endorsed Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris as presidential candidates in the 2020 and 2024 elections, respectively.

Recommended video: Watch: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez makes impassioned argument for Kamala Harris at DNC

AOC is best known for her proposed Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She is known to criticize both main parties in the U.S. for failing to embrace progressive policies. Furthermore, she has been recognized for her effective use of social media.

The bottom line

AOC’s abysmally low wealth puts her among the poorest members of Congress. In fact, according to her 2023 financial disclosure report, AOC’s net worth is estimated to be between -$47,000 and $45,000.

Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.

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