Tulsi Gabbard, born April 12, 1981, in Leloaloa, American Samoa, is an American politician, military officer, and media personality. She served as a U.S. Representative from Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district (2013-2021) and was the first Samoan American and first Hindu member of Congress.
A former Democrat, Gabbard later became Independent (2022-2024) and joined the Republican Party in 2024. In November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated her as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), making her one of the highest-ranking Pacific Islander American officials in U.S. history.
Aside from politics, Gabbard is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, having served in Iraq and Kuwait. She gained national recognition through her 2020 presidential campaign, controversial foreign policy positions, and frequent media appearances.
This article covers Tulsi Gabbard’s net worth, age, height, weight, career, early life, military service, family, relationships, physical appearance, income sources, and lesser-known facts.
Tulsi Gabbard Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tulsi Gabbard |
| Profession | Politician, Military Officer, Media Personality |
| Hometown | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | April 12, 1981 |
| Age (2025) | 43 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Political Party | Republican (2024-Present), Former Democrat, Independent |
| Military Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Notable Roles | U.S. House Representative (2013-2021), 2020 Presidential Candidate, Director of National Intelligence Nominee |
Early Life and Education
Tulsi Gabbard was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii in a multicultural, Hindu household. She is one of five children of Mike Gabbard, a politician, and Carol Gabbard, an educator. Her Hindu name “Tulsi” refers to the sacred basil plant in Hinduism. She was homeschooled for most of her early education, except for two years in the Philippines.
At 21, she dropped out of Leeward Community College to run for the Hawaii State Legislature, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to a U.S. state legislature. She later earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University (2009).
Military Service
Tulsi Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003 and has since served over 20 years in the military.
- 2004-2005: Deployed to Iraq as a medical specialist, receiving the Combat Medical Badge.
- 2007: Graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) as the top female in her class.
- 2008-2009: Deployed to Kuwait as an Army Military Police Platoon Leader.
- 2015: Promoted to Major while serving in Congress.
- 2020: Transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve.
- 2021: Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while deployed in Africa.
She has received multiple military awards, including:
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (2)
- Army Achievement Medal (2)
- Army Good Conduct Medal
Political Career
Early Political Career (2002-2013)
- 2002-2004: Elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives at age 21.
- 2011-2012: Served on the Honolulu City Council.
- 2013-2021: Served as U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd District.
Key Moments in Congress (2013-2021)
- Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2013-2016) before resigning to endorse Bernie Sanders in 2016.
- Sponsored the “Stop Arming Terrorists Act” and introduced bills supporting veterans and election security.
- Voted “present” on Trump’s first impeachment (2019), citing political division.
2020 Presidential Campaign
- Ran as a Democratic presidential candidate on an anti-war platform.
- Criticized U.S. foreign interventions and Hillary Clinton, leading to media backlash.
- Endorsed Joe Biden after dropping out in March 2020.
Shift to Conservative Politics (2022-Present)
- Left the Democratic Party in 2022, citing “wokeness and warmongering”.
- Became a Fox News contributor and frequently criticized the Biden administration.
- Endorsed Donald Trump in 2024 and joined the Republican Party.
- Nominated by Trump as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in 2024.
Family and Relationships
Tulsi Gabbard was previously married to Eduardo Tamayo (2002-2006) but cited “war-time stress” as a factor in their divorce. In 2015, she married Abraham Williams, a Hindu cinematographer.
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Father | Mike Gabbard (Politician) |
| Mother | Carol Gabbard (Educator) |
| Spouse | Abraham Williams (m. 2015) |
| Siblings | Four (Names Not Disclosed) |
Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Tattoos | None |
| Piercings | Ears |
Tulsi Gabbard Net Worth and Income Sources
As of 2025, Tulsi Gabbard’s net worth is estimated to be between $4-6 million.
| Income Source | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Military Salary | $100K+ per year |
| Congress Salary (2013-2021) | $174K per year |
| Book Deals & Media | $1M+ |
| Speaking Engagements | $500K+ |
| Fox News Contributor | $250K+ |
She has also earned money through public speaking, consulting, and media appearances.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Tulsi Gabbard is Hindu and took her oath on the Bhagavad Gita.
- She is a vegetarian and practices yoga daily.
- She is a black belt in martial arts.
- She surfs regularly and promotes Hawaiian culture.
- She was the most Googled 2020 presidential candidate after debates.
- She met Syrian President Assad in 2017, causing controversy.
- She supports banning trans women from female sports.
- She endorsed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act.
- She once supported Bernie Sanders but later became a Republican.
- She is one of the highest-ranking female military officers in politics.
FAQs
1. What is Tulsi Gabbard’s net worth?
Tulsi Gabbard’s estimated net worth is $4-6 million.
2. What political party is Tulsi Gabbard in?
She joined the Republican Party in 2024.
3. Has Tulsi Gabbard served in the military?
Yes, she is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
4. What is Tulsi Gabbard’s height?
She is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall.
5. Is Tulsi Gabbard married?
Yes, she is married to Abraham Williams.
“This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers should verify details from official sources.”
