Bernard “Bernie” Sanders, born on September 8, 1941, is a 84-year-old American politician and longtime U.S. Senator from Vermont. Known for his passionate advocacy for the working class, universal healthcare, and social justice, Sanders has spent decades shaping progressive policies in the United States.
Despite his outspoken criticism of billionaires and corporate influence, Sanders himself has amassed a notable fortune, with his net worth in 2026 estimated at around $2.5 million, largely from his best-selling books, Senate salary, and other investments.
He is married to Jane O’Meara Sanders, and the couple currently resides in Burlington, Vermont, where they own two properties, including a Lake Champlain cabin. Sanders’ financial journey reflects both his dedication to public service and the success of his literary and political endeavors, making him one of the wealthier figures in American politics, though far from the ranks of the ultra-rich.
Profile Summary
| Profile Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Bernard “Bernie” Sanders |
| Date of Birth / Age | September 8, 1941 (84 years old in 2026) |
| Profession | Politician, U.S. Senator, Author |
| Political Affiliation | Independent (Democratic Socialist leanings) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Approximately $2.5 million |
| Sources of Wealth | Book royalties, Senate salary, pensions, investments |
| Marital Status | Married to Jane O’Meara Sanders |
| Residence | Burlington, Vermont, USA |
| Notable Positions | U.S. Senator from Vermont (since 2007), U.S. Congressman (1991–2007), Mayor of Burlington (1981–1989) |
| Books Published | “It’s Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism,” “Our Revolution,” and others |
| Key Traits / Reputation | Advocate for working class, social justice, environmental protection, healthcare reform |
Jane O’Meara Sanders: Bernie Sanders’ Wife and Partner in Life
Jane O’Meara Sanders is an accomplished educator and administrator, known for her dedication to public service and education. She has held leadership roles at several colleges and universities, including serving as president of Burlington College in Vermont. Jane has been a key support in Bernie Sanders’ political career, often accompanying him on campaigns and public appearances, and actively engaging in community initiatives.
The couple married in 1988 and have built a life together in Burlington, Vermont, where they own two properties, including a home and a cabin on Lake Champlain. Jane is recognized not only as a supportive spouse but also as a committed professional, balancing her career, philanthropic work, and family life alongside Bernie’s decades-long political journey.
Bernie Sanders’ Children
Bernie Sanders has four children from his two marriages. His eldest son, Levi Sanders, is from a previous relationship and has pursued a career in politics and public service, often supporting progressive causes. From his marriage to Jane O’Meara Sanders, he has three more children: Carla, David, and Rachel Sanders, who have each built careers in education, activism, and media.
Sanders’ children generally maintain a low public profile compared to their father but are actively involved in community work and progressive initiatives. Despite their father’s high-profile political life, Bernie has emphasized maintaining a close-knit family environment, supporting his children’s professional and personal growth while staying engaged in civic and social causes.
Bernie Sanders Net Worth in 2026
Bernie Sanders’ estimated net worth in 2026 is around $2 million to $3 million, according to multiple financial estimates. This figure reflects his long career as a U.S. Senator, combined with income from book sales, speaking engagements, real estate, and his Senate salary. While not extraordinarily high by political standards, this Bernie Sanders’ fortune places him well above the average American household but still modest compared with the ultra‑wealthy elite.
Sanders continues to live a relatively measured lifestyle in Burlington, Vermont, alongside his wife, despite frequent criticism for owning multiple properties while vocally opposing economic inequality. These assets and earnings together make up Bernie Sanders’ wealth in 2026, illustrating a blend of public service and literary success rather than massive business or corporate income.
How His Net Worth Compares to Other Politicians
When compared to his colleagues in the U.S. Congress, Sanders’ net worth is notably lower than many top earners but around or slightly above the median for senators overall. Financial disclosures show that the average net worth of U.S. senators hovers near about $2.5 million, indicating that many members of the upper chamber tend to be millionaires.
Still, Sanders’ wealth is a fraction of figures held by the richest senators — for example, top wealth holders like Mitt Romney and Rick Scott each have net worths in the hundreds of millions, far exceeding Sanders’ modest multimillion‑dollar standing. His position highlights a contrast between long‑serving public officials focused on politics and those whose wealth originated from private sector success.
Sources of Bernie Sanders’ Wealth
Bernie Sanders’ income and wealth don’t come from a billionaire‑style business empire; instead, his financial profile is built from steady public service earnings and successful book deals. The major streams that contribute to Bernie Sanders’ fortune and wealth in 2026 include his Senate salary, royalties and advances from multiple published books, and various smaller income sources such as speaking engagements and investment returns. These combined have helped him amass a multimillion‑dollar net worth over decades in politics and publishing.
Senate Salary
As a longtime U.S. Senator representing Vermont, Bernie Sanders earns a standard congressional salary of $174,000 per year, the same base pay received by rank‑and‑file Senators. Over his long tenure in the U.S. Senate — in addition to previous service in the House of Representatives and as mayor — this salary has provided a stable financial foundation. Beyond his annual pay, Sanders is eligible for pensions from his years of public service and likely receives other allowances typical of long‑serving federal lawmakers, adding to his overall income stream.
Book Royalties and Advances
One of the most significant contributors to Sanders’ wealth is his work as an author. Since his rise on the national stage, he has published several well‑selling books that have generated substantial advances and royalties. Notable titles include:
- Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In (2016)
- Where We Go from Here: Two Years in the Resistance (2018)
- It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism (2023)
Financial disclosures and reporting show Sanders has earned millions from book deals over the years, with individual royalties (e.g., around $170,000 in 2022) sometimes rivaling his Senate salary.
Other Sources of Income
Beyond his salary and publishing earnings, Sanders also earns from speaking engagements, occasional public appearances, and income from joint accounts and conservative investments. While these sources are typically smaller compared to his book and salary income, they still contribute to his overall financial picture. Pensions from decades of public service also provide a supplementary income stream in retirement.
Bernie Sanders’ Properties and Assets
Bernie Sanders’ real estate holdings play a notable role in the composition of his Bernie Sanders wealth in 2026, consisting primarily of a mix of primary residence and seasonal property rather than luxury estates. Sanders and his wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders, currently own two main properties in Vermont — a family home in Burlington and a lakefront cabin in North Hero on Lake Champlain — reflecting modest, middle‑class real estate rather than extravagant mansions.
His Burlington home, a four‑bedroom, two‑and‑a‑half‑bath colonial purchased in 2009 for about $405,000, has appreciated significantly and is now estimated at roughly $700,000+ as of 2026. The Lake Champlain cabin in North Hero, bought in 2016 for around $575,000, is similarly valued close to $900,000+ in current market conditions. Both properties contribute to his overall asset base. Sanders also owned a one‑bedroom townhouse in Washington, D.C., which he sold in 2021 for about $422,000.
While Sanders once held a mortgage on his Burlington residence, reports indicate that he paid off that mortgage early. The couple’s property holdings are considered relatively modest for a U.S. senator and do not reflect sprawling estates or ultra‑luxury real estate, aligning with his longstanding public image as a working‑class advocate rather than a real estate magnate.
Taxes and Financial Disclosures
Bernie Sanders has taken steps toward financial transparency by publicly releasing a decade of his tax returns, a move that set him apart during his presidential campaigns. In April 2019, Sanders released 10 years’ worth of tax documents, showing detailed income data from 2009 through 2018. These filings revealed that during certain years — particularly after publishing his best‑selling books — Sanders and his wife, Jane, earned well over $1 million, confirming that his income growth placed the couple among higher earners and solidifying his status as a millionaire.
The tax returns detail how income from book royalties and his Senate salary contributed to his reported earnings, along with the amount of federal taxes paid and charitable donations made. By disclosing this financial information, Sanders demonstrated a level of openness uncommon among some high‑profile politicians, reinforcing public understanding of Bernie Sanders’ wealth and financial background even as he continues to advocate for tax fairness and economic reform.
Is Bernie Sanders Part of the 1%?
The term “the 1%” refers to the wealthiest 1% of Americans, typically defined by annual income or total net worth. In the U.S., households or individuals earning around $787,000 or more per year generally qualify as part of this elite group. The phrase became widely recognized during the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011, highlighting the growing economic divide between the richest Americans and the rest of the population.
While Bernie Sanders is a millionaire, his income mostly comes from his Senate salary, book royalties, and pensions. During years when his book sales are particularly strong — for example, after publishing bestsellers like It’s Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism — Sanders’ earnings temporarily place him within the 1% income bracket. However, outside of these high‑earning years, his annual salary alone keeps him below the threshold, illustrating that while he has wealth, it is modest compared to ultra‑rich billionaires.
Bernie Sanders’ Career Earnings Timeline
Bernie Sanders’ wealth has grown steadily over his decades-long career in public service, reflecting both his dedication to politics and strategic supplemental income from books.
- Mayor of Burlington (1981–1989): Sanders earned a modest salary of around $33,700 per year, reflecting his early public service years. This period established his political foundation but contributed little to long-term wealth.
- U.S. House of Representatives (1991–2007): Upon election to Congress, his salary increased to roughly $96,000 per year, providing more financial stability. During this time, Sanders began writing and publishing books, adding royalty income to his earnings.
- U.S. Senate (2007–present): Sanders’ Senate salary is $174,000 annually, supplemented by pensions, book royalties, and occasional speaking fees. These combined income streams, along with property investments, allowed him to build a net worth of around $2.5–$3 million by 2026.
Over the years, Sanders’ wealth growth has been gradual, largely tied to his public service and literary success rather than private business ventures.
How Bernie Sanders’ Net Worth Compares to Billionaires
While Bernie Sanders has built a respectable fortune of around $2.5–$3 million in 2026, his wealth is modest when compared to the world’s billionaires. Figures like Elon Musk, whose net worth exceeds $200 billion, or Donald Trump, with an estimated $4.5 billion, operate on a completely different financial scale. Even the richest U.S. senators, such as Mitt Romney and Rick Scott, have fortunes in the hundreds of millions, dwarfing Sanders’ multimillion-dollar holdings.
Sanders’ wealth primarily comes from his Senate salary, book royalties, and pensions, highlighting a life focused on public service rather than corporate or entrepreneurial gain. This contrast underscores that while he is financially comfortable and a millionaire, Bernie Sanders is far from joining the ranks of the ultra-rich, reinforcing his public image as an advocate for the working and middle class rather than the billionaire elite.
Conclusion
In 2026, Bernie Sanders’ net worth is estimated at around $2.5–$3 million, accumulated through a combination of his Senate salary, book royalties, pensions, and modest investments. Over his decades-long career — from Mayor of Burlington to U.S. Congressman and Senator — Sanders has steadily grown his wealth while maintaining a reputation for public service and fiscal transparency. His decision to release ten years of tax returns and openly disclose his financial records highlights his commitment to honesty and accountability, setting him apart from many high-profile politicians.
While Sanders’ fortune places him above the average American, it remains modest compared to billionaires and top-earning politicians. His financial journey reflects a blend of career earnings, literary success, and careful management, showing that Bernie Sanders’ net worth 2026 is the result of consistent public service and responsible wealth-building rather than corporate or business ventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bernie Sanders’ exact net worth in 2026?
Bernie Sanders’ net worth in 2026 is estimated at around $2.5–$3 million, accumulated from his Senate salary, book royalties, pensions, and modest investments.
How much does Bernie Sanders make from his books?
Sanders has earned millions from his books over the years. Individual royalties have ranged from $170,000 to $850,000 annually, depending on the book and year. Notable titles include It’s Okay to Be Angry About Capitalism (2023) and Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In (2016).
Does Bernie Sanders own other properties?
Yes, Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, own two main properties in Vermont: a family home in Burlington and a cabin on Lake Champlain. He previously owned a townhouse in Washington, D.C., which was sold in 2021.
Did Bernie Sanders release his tax returns?
Yes. In April 2019, Sanders publicly released 10 years of tax returns, showing his income from the Senate, book royalties, and other sources. This move highlighted his commitment to transparency and confirmed his millionaire status.
Is Bernie Sanders considered part of the 1%?
Sanders is occasionally part of the 1% income bracket during years with high book royalties, but his regular Senate salary keeps him below that threshold in most years. He is wealthy compared to average Americans but far from billionaire levels.
