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Cori Bush’s net worth revealed: How rich is Missouri’s first African-American woman in the House of Representatives

Cori Bush's net worth revealed: How rich is Missouri's first African-American woman in the House of Representatives
Nemanja Curcic

Cori Bush is an American politician, activist, nurse, and pastor who has served as the U.S. House Representative from Missouri since 2021. In 2020, she defeated 10-term incumbent Lacy Clay in what was widely deemed an upset. However, on August 6, 2024, she lost the Democratic nomination for her seat. This article will uncover Cori Bush’s net worth and showcase her sources of income.

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How rich is Cori Bush?

Cori Bush graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School in 1994 and attended Harris–Stowe State University for one year. She quit her studies and worked at a preschool until 2001. Ultimately, Bush obtained a Diploma in Nursing from the Lutheran School of Nursing in 2008.

In 2011, Bush formed the Kingdom Embassy International Church in St. Louis, Missouri, and served as its pastor for three years. She turned to political activism during the 2014 Ferguson unrest. At the time, she worked as a triage nurse and protest organizer. Additionally, she is a Nonviolence 365 Ambassador with the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

Bush first attempted to enter politics in Missouri’s 2016 Senate election but placed a distant second. Her second attempt was in 2018’s House of Representatives election in Missouri’s 1st congressional district, but Lacy Clay defeated her by an almost 20% margin. However, in 2020, she caused an upset and defeated Clay to become a House Representative from Missouri. 

What is Cori Bush’s net worth?

According to her 2022 financial disclosure report, Cori Bush has no disclosed positions, assets, or liabilities, effectively making her net worth $0. However, the report does list royalties from her book, The Forerunner: A Story of Pain and Perseverance in America, with unspecified value.

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 Cori Bush make her money?

In addition to politics, Bush had a diverse career spanning preschool, nursing, writing, and preaching. Her public sources of income have included:

  • Preschool: After quitting her studies, Cori Bush worked at a preschool for a little over four years;
  • Nursing: Bush gained a Diploma in Nursing from the Lutheran School of Nursing in 2008. The skills and experience allowed her to assist people during the 2014 unrest;
  • Pastor: In 2011, Bush established the Kingdom Embassy International Church. She has acted as the church’s pastor until 2014;
  • Book royalties: In 2022, Cori Bush published The Forerunner: A Story of Pain and Perseverance in America. Her memoir tells of her “harrowing personal journey,” which includes experiences from being raped and having an abortion to being homeless. Ultimately, she describes overcoming her circumstances and entering politics;
  • Politics: As a U.S. House Representative, Cori Bush is entitled to an annual salary of $174,000.

Cori Bush’s assets

As previously mentioned, Coru Bush has no assets or liabilities mentioned in her official financial disclosure report.

The fact should not come as a surprise since Bush suffered hardships throughout her life. In 1994, she was raped at 18 years old and had an abortion. She had another abortion a year later. 

Then, she had to quit her preschool job due to an illness, for which she and her family got evicted. As a result, she and her ex-husband lived in a car with young children for more than a year. 

Insider trading involvement

With Cori Bush’s net worth effectively zero, she has no financial assets, and there are no reports of her partaking in individual stock investment or any other type of investment or business ownership.

Cori Bush and security funds controversy

According to Forbes, the campaign for Cori Bush paid her husband $15,000 in the first quarter of 2024. Merritts was Bush’s security guard for years before they married in 2023, and she “retained his service” due to “extensive experience in this area” and charging “at or below a fair market rate” for his services.

Who is Cori Bush?

Cori Anika Bush was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 21, 1976. She has a nursing diploma from the Lutheran School of Nursing and has worked as a nurse, pastor, and activist. She gained prominence as a Black Lives Matter activist after the 2014 Ferguson protests caused by the police killing of Michael Brown. 

A member of the Democratic Party, she is noted as a progressive politician and a member of “The Squad,” an informal group of the most left-leaning Democrats. Her experiences as a homeless person and raising children as a single mother profoundly affected her political views. As such, she has advocated for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and police reform, including defunding.

Recommended video: Rep. Cori Bush loses congressional primary, 2nd progressive “Squad” member to lose reelection

In 2024, Bush faced one of the most expensive and highly contentious primary elections after AIPAC and pro-Israeli groups spent significant funds to oust her from office due to her Gaza ceasefire commitment. Ultimately, she lost the primary to St. Louis County prosecutor Wesley Bell, a fellow Ferguson protests activist.

The bottom line

The Representative from Missouri’s non-existent wealth puts her near the bottom of the supposed wealthiest U.S. Representatives list. In fact, Cori Bush’s net worth is virtually $0, according to her 2022 financial disclosure report.

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

FAQs about Cori Bush net worth

How much is Cori Bush's current net worth?

As implied by her 2022 annual financial disclosure form, Cori Bush’s net worth is virtually zero, as she has no disclosed assets or liabilities apart from her book royalties of undisclosed value.

Who is Cori Bush's husband?

Cori Bush’s husband is Cortney Merritts, a member of her security team whom she married in 2023.

Is Cori Bush a millionaire?

No, Cori Bush is not a millionaire. The online sources that claim Cori Bush’s net worth is “millions of dollars” are fake.

Who beat Cori Bush?

Cori Bush lost her primary race to Wesley Bell, a St. Louis prosecutor.

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