Richard Blumenthal net worth is estimated at $85 million, making him one of the wealthiest members of the U.S. Senate. While his long public career accounts for steady income, the bulk of his wealth stems from his marriage into the Malkin family—the real estate dynasty behind Empire State Realty Trust, which owns iconic New York properties, including the Empire State Building.
Early Life and Education
Blumenthal was born on February 13, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Jane and Martin Blumenthal, raised him in a Jewish household with strong educational values. He attended Riverdale Country School, graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1967, and earned a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1973.
His academic journey also included postgraduate studies at Trinity College and Cambridge University in the U.K., thanks to a prestigious Fiske Fellowship.
Military Service
In 1970, Blumenthal enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, serving until 1976 and reaching the rank of sergeant. His service occurred during the Vietnam War era, although he remained stateside.
Legal and Political Foundation
Blumenthal began his legal career assisting high-profile figures such as Senator Abraham Ribicoff and Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun. He later became a partner at Connecticut law firms, then served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut from 1977 to 1981.
His transition into politics began with a successful bid for the Connecticut House of Representatives, where he served from 1985 to 1987.
Attorney General of Connecticut
In 1990, Blumenthal won election as Attorney General of Connecticut, holding the office for two decades. He became known for tackling corporate misconduct, leading landmark cases against Microsoft, the tobacco industry, Countrywide Financial, and the Tomasso Group.
He also prosecuted high-profile fraud cases involving public schools and non-profits, while championing consumer protection, environmental regulation, and anti-predator laws online.
U.S. Senate Career
Blumenthal won his U.S. Senate seat in 2010, succeeding Chris Dodd. He defeated Republican Linda McMahon and later became Connecticut’s senior senator after Joe Lieberman retired.
He secured re-election in 2016 with over 63% of the vote, breaking the record for most votes in a statewide Connecticut election. He won again in 2022, defeating Leora Levy.
Key Legislation and Political Stances
Blumenthal has prioritized ethics reform, gun control, health care, and civil rights throughout his Senate tenure. He co-sponsored bills to:
- Strip pensions from convicted members of Congress
- Enforce the emoluments clause against Donald Trump
- Create universal access to early childhood education through the Child Care for Working Families Act
A consistent progressive, Blumenthal supports LGBTQ rights, women’s reproductive rights, immigration reform, and stricter regulations on arbitration clauses and corporate legal immunity.
Family and Wealth
Blumenthal married Cynthia Malkin in 1982. She is the daughter of real estate mogul Peter L. Malkin, whose company controls hundreds of millions in New York commercial real estate, including the Empire State Building. This family connection significantly contributes to the Blumenthals’ net worth.
They have four children, including Matt Blumenthal, elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2018.
