Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, is a 34-year-old congresswoman who lives a high-profile life, attending events like the Met Gala and driving a Tesla. Despite her public persona, she does not have a significant amount of wealth. Forbes estimates her net worth at around $125,000, with most of her assets in a Thrift Savings Account and several cash accounts. She also has student loan debt of about $15,000 and does not own any real estate, opting to rent in New York and D.C.
AOC’s upbringing in the Bronx, where her mother worked as a house cleaner and her father was an architect, shaped her views on government assistance. She faced financial challenges during college due to her father’s death and her family’s medical debt. After graduation in 2011, she worked odd jobs including waitress and bartender, struggling to make ends meet. Her mother eventually sold their family home and moved to Florida, while AOC stayed in New York and became involved in political activism.
Despite facing financial difficulties, AOC’s political career took off in 2018 when she defeated incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in a primary election. She went on to win the general election and became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the age of 29. Adjusting to her new salary of $174,000, AOC quickly upgraded her lifestyle, moving into a luxury apartment in Navy Yard and purchasing a Tesla. However, it is unclear how much she is saving, as her reported accounts have varied balances ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.
One aspect of AOC’s finances that remains a mystery is her fiancé, Riley Roberts, who she lives with but has not yet married. Roberts works in tech in New York and likely has his own savings, but his assets are not required to be reported on AOC’s disclosure forms. AOC has won reelection since 2018 and recently qualified for a congressional pension, although it is worth less than her student loan debt. She continues to advocate for working-class people and values her role as a trailblazer for future generations of politicians.
Despite her modest net worth compared to other members of Congress and high-profile guests at events like the Met Gala, AOC remains committed to her values and responsibilities as a public servant. She continues to push for progressive policies and fight for the representation of working-class people in government. As she navigates the challenges of balancing her public persona with her personal finances, AOC remains focused on making a meaningful impact in Congress and advocating for those who are often overlooked in politics.
