Elaine Chao is an American businesswoman and former government official. Chao was the first Asian-American woman to serve in a presidential cabinet. She served as director of the Peace Corps from 1991 to 1992 and as president of the United Way of America from 1993 to 1996. She also served as United States Secretary of Labor from 2001 to 2009 and as United States Secretary of Transportation from 2017 to 2021.
Elaine Chao Biography
| Full Name | Elaine Lan Chao |
| Nickname | Elaine Chao |
| Profession | Businesswoman and former government official |
| Date of Birth | 26 March 1953 |
| Age | 73 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Nationality | American (since 1972) Taiwan (befor 1971) |
| School | Syosset High School, Syosset, New York |
| College | Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts Harvard Business School |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics Master of business administration |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Christianity |
| X (Twitter) | @elainechao |
Elaine Chao Age
Elaine Chao (Elaine Lan Chao) was born on 26 March 1953 in Taipei, Taiwan. She is 73 years old as of 2026, and his zodiac sign is Aries.
Elaine Chao Husband | Children
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Boyfriend | Mitch McConnell |
| Spouse/Husband | Mitch McConnell (m. 1993) |
| Children | Step-children – Elly, Claire and Porter McConnell |
Elaine Chao Family
| Father’s Name | Dr. James S.C. Chao |
| Mother’s Name | Ruth Mulan Chu Chao |
| Brother’s Name | None |
| Sister’s Name | May, Christine, Grace, Jeanette, and Angela Chao |
Career
| Political Party | Republican |
| April 1988 to April 1989 | Commissioner of the federal maritime Commission |
| April 1988 to April 1989 | Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission |
| April 1989 to October 1991 | 4th United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation |
| October 1991 to January 2009 | 24th United State Secretary of Labor |
| January 2017 to January 2021 | 18th United States Secretary of Transportation |
Elaine Chao Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 163 cm In meters – 1.63 m In feet & inches – 5’4” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 57 kg In pounds – 126 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
Elaine Chao Net Worth
The estimated net worth of American businesswoman and former government official Elaine Chao ranges from $24 million to $30 million as of July 2026.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $25 million to $30 million (as of July 2026) |
| Annual Income (Approx) | Update soon |
| Salary (Approx) | Not a fixed salary |
| Real Estate | Shared properties with her husband |
| Income sources | Salary, business venture, social media, investment, etc. |
Some Interesting Facts About Elaine Chao
- Elaine Chao was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, and immigrated to the United States when she was eight.
- She is the eldest of six daughters of Ruth Mulan Chu Chao and James S.C. Chao.
- In 1964, he founded the shipping company Foremost Maritime Corporation in New York City.
- Her father “worked three jobs’ to support the family, and the then-five family members lived in a one-bedroom apartment.
- Elaine Chao was naturalized as a U.S. citizen at the age of 19.
- She attended Syosset High School in Syosset, New York, in Nassau County on Long Island.
- Chao received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College.
- Elaine Chao received an MBA degree from Harvard Business School.
- She was a vice president of syndications at Bank of America Capital Markets Group in San Francisco.
- In 1986, she became Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration in the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- She served as chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission from 1988 to 1989.
- Elaine Chao delivered a speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention.
- She was the longest-serving Secretary of Labor since Frances Perkins.
- In June 2011, she was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service.
- In January 2015, she resigned from the board of Bloomberg Philanthropies, which she had joined in 2012.
- In August 2021, Chao was elected to the board of directors of the Kroger supermarket chain.
- Chao also joined the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2021.
- In 2021, Chao spoke publicly against incidents of anti-Asian harassment.
- In 1993, Elaine Chao married Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senator from Kentucky.
FAQ:
How old is Elaine Chao?
As of 2026, Elaine Chao is 73 years old.
Who is Elaine Chao’s husband?
Elaine Chao has been married to Mitch McConnell since 1993.
What is Elaine Chao’s net worth?
As of July 2026, Elaine Chao’s net worth is estimated at $24 million to $30 million.
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