Mark Kelly has long been in the public eye, both for his prestigious career as an astronaut and his role as the Senator of Arizona. With this in mind, we decided to investigate Mark Kelly’s net worth, explore his financial activities, and assess whether they align with his responsibilities as a senator.
Who is Mark Kelly?
Mark Kelly is a retired astronaut, naval aviator, and engineer who has served as the junior United States Senator from Arizona since December 2020. Born in 1964 in Orange, New Jersey, Mark Kelly attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy and later earned a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School.
Mark Kelly, the astronaut
Mark Kelly’s net worth
Based on his 2022 financial disclosure report, Senator Kelly’s total assets range from $8,168,013 to $34,445,000. Since his report doesn’t include any liabilities, Mark Kelly’s net worth is the same as the value of his assets.
Disclaimer: Estimating a lawmaker’s net worth is challenging because disclosure forms do not mandate exact values. Instead, lawmakers report the value of their assets and liabilities within specified ranges. While we strive to accurately estimate net worth 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. Additionally, most Members of Congress earn $174,000 annually, but this isn’t required to be disclosed.
How did Mark Kelly make his money?
Mark Kelly’s wealth comes from various sources, reflecting his multifaceted career. His primary earnings stemmed from his service as a US Navy captain and his tenure as a NASA astronaut.
Kelly’s space missions not only brought him national recognition but also lucrative speaking engagements and book deals. He co-authored several books with his wife, Gabrielle Giffords, including a memoir that detailed their lives and her recovery after the shooting incident.
In addition to his government salary and book royalties, Kelly has made significant income through investments. His active stock trading, which includes investments in technology, healthcare, and aerospace companies, has contributed notably to his net worth. Kelly’s involvement in these sectors reflects his professional background and interest in innovation and technological advancement.
Mark Kelly’s assets
As mentioned, based on Senator Kelly’s financial disclosure report for the year 2022, his total assets range from $8,168,013 to $34,445,000. He also doesn’t have any reported liabilities, making his net worth and total assets value match.
When it comes to his assets, he and his wife hold 13 assets, most of them being trust blinds, several annuities, bank deposits, one residential property, and one life insurance. That said, his most prized assets include:
- The Kelly Qualified Blind Trust dated June 25, 2021, trust blind worth between $5,000,001 and $25 million;
- Mark Kelly Traditional Individual Retirement Account Qualified Blind Trust No. 1 dated June 25, 2021, trust blind, valued between $1,000,001 and $5 million;
- Northern Trust bank deposit, valued between $500,001 and $1 million;
- Jackson National Life Insurance Company life insurance worth between $500,001 and $1 million;
- Gabrielle Giffords Traditional Individual Retirement Account Qualified Blind Trust No. 1 dated June 25, 2021, trust blind valued between $500,001 and $1 million.
Mark Kelly’s controversies
Although never involved in any insider trading scandal, Senator Mark Kelly faced numerous controversies during his political career. Here are some notable instances:
- Offensive remark: In 2018, Kelly made an offensive comment during an appearance before the Boy Scouts of America, Northern New Jersey Council. He likened his twin brother’s DNA changes (because of living in space for a year) to a monkey and humorously renamed him Rodrigo;
- Financial controversies: A report by the Arizona Republic highlighted Kelly’s financial dealings, including controversial paid speaking gigs, business connections with Chinese interests, participation in a marketing strategy criticized as sexist, and financial ties to businesses with differing environmental conservation records;
- Political attacks: During his Senate campaign, the Arizona Republican Party sent a fundraising email suggesting that Kelly, who gained prominence when his wife was shot in the head and nearly killed, would be stopped “dead in his tracks” in the election.
How much is Mark Kelly worth?
Thanks to his astronaut and political career, Mark Kelly’s net worth is rather substantial, ranging from $8,168,013 to $34,445,000. Alongside his wife, Senator Kelly holds 13 assets, with one of them worth between $1,000,001 and $5 million. Of course, these figures don’t make him the richest American politician; however, he’s definitely better off than an average American and their household.
Disclaimer: The content on this site should not be considered investment advice. Investing is speculative. When investing, your capital is at risk.
