Stephen Kevin Bannon is an American political strategist, media executive, and former investment banker known for his influential role in shaping right-wing politics in the United States. As the former executive chairman of Breitbart News and a key strategist in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, Bannon has been a polarizing figure in American politics. His career has spanned finance, media, and government, including a brief tenure as the White House Chief Strategist in 2017. Despite legal controversies, including fraud charges related to the “We Build the Wall” campaign, Bannon remains a significant voice in conservative media and political activism.
Early Life and Education
Stephen Kevin Bannon was born on November 27, 1953, in Norfolk, Virginia, to parents Martin J. Bannon Jr. and Doris (née Herr) Bannon. He was raised in a working-class, Irish Catholic family in Richmond, Virginia. His father worked as a telephone lineman and later as a middle manager at AT&T, while his mother was a homemaker. Bannon attended Benedictine College Preparatory, a private Catholic military high school in Richmond, graduating in 1971. He then enrolled at Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in urban planning in 1976 and served as the president of the student government association. During his time in the Navy, Bannon obtained a master’s degree in national security studies from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1983. He later earned a Master of Business Administration with honors from Harvard Business School in 1985.
Personal Life and Family
Steve Bannon has been married and divorced three times. His first marriage was to Cathleen Houff Jordan, with whom he had a daughter named Maureen. His second marriage was to investment banker Mary Louise Piccard, resulting in two daughters, Grace and Emily; they divorced in 1997. His third marriage to Diane Clohesy ended in 2009 after three years.
Detailed Bio Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen Kevin Bannon |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Norfolk, Virginia, USA |
| Parents | Martin J. Bannon Jr. (father), Doris Herr Bannon (mother) |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Urban Planning (Virginia Tech, 1976); Master’s in National Security Studies (Georgetown University, 1983); MBA with honors (Harvard Business School, 1985) |
| Height | 6 feet (1.83 meters) |
| Spouses | Cathleen Suzanne Houff (div.); Mary Louise Piccard (div.); Diane Clohesy (div.) |
| Children | Maureen, Grace, Emily |
| Net Worth | Approximately $20 million as of 2025 |
Career
Military Service
After graduating from Virginia Tech, Bannon served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1977 to 1983. He held the rank of lieutenant and served as a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.
Investment Banking
Following his military service, Bannon joined Goldman Sachs as an investment banker in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department. In 1987, he relocated to Los Angeles to help Goldman expand its presence in the entertainment industry. He left the firm after two years as a vice president.
In 1990, Bannon co-founded Bannon & Co., a boutique investment bank specializing in media. Notably, the firm represented Westinghouse Electric in the sale of Castle Rock Entertainment to Turner Broadcasting System. Instead of a full adviser’s fee, Bannon & Co. accepted a financial stake in five television shows, including “Seinfeld,” which provided significant residuals. In 1998, Société Générale purchased Bannon & Co.
Media and Entertainment
Transitioning to media, Bannon became an executive producer in Hollywood, working on 18 films from 1991 to 2016. In 1993, he became acting director of the earth science research project Biosphere 2 in Arizona, shifting its focus toward environmental research.
In 2007, Bannon co-founded Breitbart News, a far-right news and opinion website, which he described as “the platform for the alt-right.”
Political Involvement
Bannon’s political career gained prominence when he became the chief executive officer of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Following Trump’s election, Bannon was appointed as the White House Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor to the President. He left the position in August 2017 and returned to Breitbart News, departing again in January 2018 after public disagreements with Trump.
Legal Issues
In 2024, Bannon was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress related to the investigation of the January 6 attack on the Capitol and his refusal to provide documents. He was released on October 29, 2024, shortly before the Presidential election.
Recent Developments
As of February 2025, Bannon is due in Manhattan court following discussions about a possible plea deal over his fundraising campaign for Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall. He faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy for allegedly misleading donors who contributed over $15 million to “We Build the Wall.”
Latest News
As of February 2025, Steve Bannon pleaded guilty to defrauding donors in the “We Build the Wall” campaign, avoiding jail time through a plea agreement that resulted in a three-year conditional discharge.
Physical Appearance
Steve Bannon stands at 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall. He has gray hair and blue eyes.
Social Media Accounts Table
| Platform | Account |
|---|---|
| @SteveKBannon | |
| Steve Bannon | |
| @stevebannon |
Net Worth as of 2025
As of 2025, Steve Bannon’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $20 million.
