Marco Rubio’s journey to becoming the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State in January 2025 is a classic tale of grit, perseverance, and public service. Unlike many of his colleagues in President Trump’s Cabinet, Rubio didn’t come from wealth and, at 53 years old, still doesn’t boast a hefty bank account. In fact, his net worth might surprise you. Let’s dive into how much Rubio is really worth in 2025, his financial journey, and how he spends his money.
A Humble Start and Modest Earnings
Born on May 28, 1971, in Miami, Florida, Marco Rubio’s story starts with his parents, Mario and Oriales, who fled Cuba in 1956 to escape Fidel Castro’s dictatorship. His father worked as a bartender, and his mother juggled roles as a maid, cashier, and retail clerk. Rubio’s upbringing was far from luxurious, and his financial decisions over the years reflect someone who had to navigate life without a safety net.
Rubio’s first steps into politics came in the late 1990s. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, he served as a lawyer for the West Miami City Commission. By 2000, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. His political rise was steady, but it didn’t exactly lead to financial prosperity.
What Is Marco Rubio’s Net Worth?
Surprisingly, Marco Rubio’s net worth in 2025 is negative. Yes, you read that right. According to his financial disclosure to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics released in August 2024, Rubio’s assets — including retirement accounts, savings, stocks, and bonds — were valued at a maximum of $205,000. However, his liabilities were far greater, totaling between $525,000 and $1,065,000.
The bulk of Rubio’s debt comes from the mortgage on his West Miami home, which falls between $500,001 and $1 million. While his home’s value might offset some of this debt — recent listings on Zillow show homes in his neighborhood selling for between $500,000 and $2.4 million — Rubio’s net worth remains in the red.
Despite his financial challenges, Rubio’s not new to managing debt. He took on over $150,000 in student loans for law school, which he managed to pay off by 2012.
How Much Does Marco Rubio Earn?
Rubio has spent nearly all of his career in public service, drawing a modest paycheck compared to the private sector. As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, he earned around $28,000 a year. His salary jumped to $174,000 as a U.S. Senator and later to $176,000 in his last term. In his new role as Secretary of State, Rubio makes $250,600 annually.
He’s also dabbled in writing. In 2012, Rubio received an $800,000 advance for his book, An American Son: A Memoir, eventually earning about $1.2 million in royalties. Additionally, Rubio made $20,784 in 2024 as an adjunct professor and senior fellow at Florida International University.
While these numbers are solid for most Americans, they don’t stack up to the earnings of many career politicians, especially considering his liabilities. For comparison, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has a net worth of over $500 million.
Financial Missteps and Lessons Learned
Rubio’s financial story isn’t just about a modest income — it’s also about some questionable money decisions. During his 2016 presidential campaign, The New York Times highlighted several of his financial missteps. These included using personal credit cards for campaign expenses, cashing out a $68,000 retirement account early (incurring penalties), buying a luxury speedboat, leasing a pricey car, and selling a second home at a loss.
Rubio has admitted to making mistakes with his finances, attributing them to his middle-class upbringing and lack of experience managing significant sums of money. He’s said to have learned from these experiences and is now more financially cautious.
A Focus on Family and Education
Marco Rubio has been married to Jeanette, a former professional cheerleader, since 1998. The couple has four children and lives in what appears to be a modest home in Miami. Despite his financial struggles, Rubio prioritizes his children’s education. He prefers private schools over public ones and has set aside funds for their college educations.
His focus on education likely stems from his own experiences. Rubio attended South Miami Senior High School and then a series of colleges — including Tarkio College in Missouri and Santa Fe Community College — before finally graduating from the University of Florida. His path to becoming a lawyer and politician was anything but straightforward, which may explain why he emphasizes education so strongly for his kids.
A Unique Cabinet Member
Rubio’s financial situation sets him apart in President Trump’s Cabinet. While most members, like Treasury Secretary Bessent, come from immense wealth, Rubio is a rare example of someone who’s served in politics for decades without accumulating substantial wealth. His primary paycheck has consistently come from public service, not private investments or corporate earnings.
His modest net worth also underscores a larger point about money and politics: not every career politician ends up wealthy. For Rubio, a career in public service has been a trade-off between financial gain and influence in shaping policy, especially in areas like foreign affairs, which he’s long been passionate about.
