Robert “Bob” Menendez (born January 1, 1954) is a former American politician and lawyer who served as the U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2006–2024) before resigning amid corruption charges. Menendez, a Democratic Party member, held multiple political positions, including serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2006) and as the Mayor of Union City (1986–1992).
Once a powerful figure in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez’s political career came to a dramatic end when he was convicted in 2024 on 16 counts of bribery, wire fraud, and acting as a foreign agent. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January 2025, marking one of the most shocking downfalls in modern U.S. political history.
In this article, we will explore Bob Menendez’s net worth, biography, age, height, weight, career, early life, family, relationships, corruption conviction, and more.
Bob Menendez Short Details
| Full Name | Robert Menendez |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Bob Menendez |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
| Hometown | New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1954 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 71 years old |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 80 kg (176 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Grey |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Education | Saint Peter’s University (BA), Rutgers Law School (JD) |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Jacobsen (m. 1976; div. 2005), Nadine Arslanian (m. 2020) |
| Children | 2 (Alicia and Rob Menendez) |
| Senate Tenure | 2006–2024 (Resigned) |
| Criminal Conviction | Bribery, Wire Fraud, Acting as a Foreign Agent |
| Prison Sentence | 11 Years (2025) |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $5 million (Pre-conviction) |
Early Life and Education
Bob Menendez was born on January 1, 1954, in New York City, U.S., to Cuban immigrants. His father, Mario Menéndez, was a carpenter, while his mother, Evangelina Menéndez, worked as a seamstress. The family later moved to Union City, New Jersey, where Menendez grew up in a modest household.
- Attended Union Hill High School, where he was student body president.
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Saint Peter’s University.
- Obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Rutgers Law School.
- Admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1980 and briefly practiced law before entering politics.
Political Career Timeline
Early Political Career (1974–1992)
- 1974: Elected to the Union City School Board at age 20.
- 1986–1992: Served as the Mayor of Union City, New Jersey.
- 1988–1991: Served in the New Jersey General Assembly (33rd District).
- 1991–1993: Served in the New Jersey Senate.
U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2006)
- Elected as the Representative for New Jersey’s 13th District.
- Served seven terms in Congress.
- Focused on immigration reform, healthcare, and national security.
- Voted against the Iraq War in 2002.
- Chaired the House Democratic Caucus (2003–2006).
U.S. Senate (2006–2024)
- 2006: Appointed by Gov. Jon Corzine to replace him in the U.S. Senate.
- 2006, 2012, 2018: Won re-election three times.
- Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (2013–2015, 2021–2023).
- Advocated for immigration reform, foreign policy sanctions (Iran, Russia), and environmental protection.
- 2015: Indicted for corruption but avoided conviction after a mistrial in 2017.
Corruption Charges and Conviction (2023–2025)
Bob Menendez’s career took a dramatic turn in 2023 when he was indicted for bribery, wire fraud, and acting as a foreign agent. The FBI investigation revealed:
- Bribes totaling $1 million in cash, gold bars, and a Mercedes-Benz.
- Secret meetings with Egyptian and Qatari officials, where he leaked classified U.S. information.
- Influence over government contracts for personal financial gain.
- Obstruction of justice, destroying evidence.
Trial and Conviction
- July 2024: Convicted on 16 felony counts.
- August 2024: Resigned from the U.S. Senate.
- January 29, 2025: Sentenced to 11 years in federal prison.
Bob Menendez Net Worth and Income Sources (2025)
Before his conviction, Bob Menendez’s net worth was estimated at $5 million. However, due to legal fees, forfeited assets, and fines, his financial status significantly declined.
| Source of Income | Details |
|---|---|
| Senate Salary | $174,000 per year (until 2024) |
| Law Practice | Private legal practice (Pre-politics) |
| Real Estate | Owned properties in New Jersey |
| Bribes (Illegally obtained) | Gold bars, cash, luxury car (Now forfeited) |
Post-conviction, his financial future remains uncertain due to legal fines and loss of political salary.
Family and Relationships
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Father | Mario Menéndez (Carpenter) |
| Mother | Evangelina Menéndez (Seamstress) |
| Ex-Wife | Jane Jacobsen (Married 1976–2005) |
| Current Wife | Nadine Arslanian (Married 2020) |
| Daughter | Alicia Menendez (Journalist, MSNBC Host) |
| Son | Rob Menendez (U.S. Representative, NJ-8) |
Menendez’s wife, Nadine Arslanian, was also indicted on bribery charges and will stand trial in March 2025.
Lesser-Known Facts About Bob Menendez
- He was the first Latino U.S. Senator from New Jersey.
- His father died by suicide in 1978 due to gambling debts.
- He was the first sitting Senator convicted of acting as a foreign agent.
- $480,000 in cash was found hidden in his home.
- He once lived in an apartment owned by a political donor.
- His nickname in the media became “Gold Bar Bob”.
- He was forced to resign from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2023.
- His daughter, Alicia, is a prominent MSNBC host.
- He ran as an Independent in 2024 but withdrew post-conviction.
- His trial lasted over 9 weeks, one of the longest for a U.S. Senator.
Conclusion
Bob Menendez’s political career spanned over five decades, making him one of the most influential Latino politicians in U.S. history. However, his legacy is now tarnished by corruption, bribery, and a federal conviction. Once a powerful Senator, he will now spend 11 years behind bars, a cautionary tale of political greed.
“This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.”
