Robert F. Kennedy Jr is lobbying for the US Health Secretary post — he carries a rich legacy forward

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently kickstarted his campaign at Capitol Hill to become the next US Health Secretary.  As per ABC News, Kennedy Jr. will hold several private meetings with over two dozen senators and their staff to gain support for his bid. As of yet, his chances of getting confirmed remain unclear as his past unscientific comments and skepticism over vaccines can both win and lose him votes. With or without the Health Secretary post, Kennedy Jr.'s legacy in politics remains astonishing. 

Born on January 17, 1954, Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. carries the weight of a storied political legacy as the third of eleven children of Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy.

Growing up amidst the Kennedy family's political prominence, he witnessed both triumphs and tragedies, including the assassination of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, in 1963, and the assassination of his father in 1968. These events deeply influenced his worldview and set the stage for his own journey in public service. 

Kennedy Jr. pursued a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, marking the beginning of his legal career. However, it was his passion for environmental advocacy that would come to define his public life. Kennedy co-founded the Waterkeeper Alliance in 1999, a non-profit organization focused on preserving and protecting waterways worldwide. His commitment to environmental causes became a central aspect of his public identity.

A long-time ally of the Democratic Party, Kennedy launched a campaign in 2023, seeking the party's nomination for the U.S. presidential election. However, he later announced that he would run as an independent.

Kennedy finally suspended his bid in August 2024 and pivoted from his party to endorse the Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Kennedy, 70, who had been a Democrat for most of his life and the scion of the Kennedy dynasty, stated that the principles that had led him to leave the party had now compelled him "to throw my support to President Trump," BBC reported.

After winning the election, Trump picked the vaccine skeptic as his contender for the next US health secretary.  If his nomination gains the support of the Senate, he will lead an agency overseeing everything from food safety to medical research and welfare programs.

As of December, Kennedy's chances of getting confirmed by the Senate aren't clear as his past comments questioning vaccine science and the food industry could stand in the way. As per ABC, his success would depend on how the talks about his plans for the incoming administration go.

Given his diverse career, it's safe to say that or without the prestigious position, Kennedy's legacy and finances are secured. 

Known for being a member of America's illustrious political dynasty, the Kennedys, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. entered America's Presidential race with an estimated net worth of approximately $15 million.

This fortune includes assets jointly owned with his spouse, as the lawyer-turned-politician follows in the footsteps of his father Robert F Kennedy. While he benefits from the Kennedy trusts, his fortune is relatively modest in comparison to some of his extended family members.

Despite struggling with drug abuse and getting arrested for possession as a teenager after his father's death, Kenndy Jr. went on to study at Harvard and earned a literature degree before attending the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has also been an active environmental activist and has founded a clean water advocacy group as well.

What are Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s sources of income?

The law firm Kennedy & Madonna LLP is his main source of revenue, which has generated $5 million between 2022 and 2023. Kennedy has been responsible for settlements worth $670 million through his legal practice.

RFK Jr. has a significant stake in Wolf Point, a notable development project in downtown Chicago, in partnership with Hines, a Houston-based property company, and an AFL-CIO federation of labor unions' real estate arm.

His equity in this venture is valued between $1.75 million and $6.5 million. He also holds a stake in Arctic Royalty, a limited partnership with oil-and-gas leases in Texas and Oklahoma, which also supplements his income.

Kennedy generates income from consultancies and his nonprofit organization, Children's Health Defense. His work in litigation, including cases against Merck's Gardasil HPV vaccine, has brought in more than $1.5 million in income in 2022 and early 2023.