Politics | 05/12/2009 12:00 am

The 10 Wealthiest Women in Congress

These women prove that public servants are anything but plebeians.

Photo Essay

Politicians don’t go into their line of work for the money — most congressional lawmakers make $165,000 annually — but that doesn’t mean they’re not among the nation’s wealthiest citizens. Here we collect the Hill’s ten wealthiest female lawmakers. All numbers are an average of the politician’s highest and lowest possible worths in 2007, according to the Center for Responsive Government, which has a database of all lawmakers’ financial disclosure forms. They’re endlessly fascinating. Interestingly, eight out of ten of these women are Democrats and the top two come from California.

Click here to read Michelle Obama’s Greatest Fashion Hits.

73 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

First of all, I will make a brief comment to the wowowow person who selects photographs to accompany articles. You would have to go a long way to find more unattractive photographs than those selected. I really think these are just awful. It seems as if it would be incumbent upon this website in particular to show our female breathen in the best light … photographically speaking. P L E A S E !

I am rather surprised that there are even two Republican women on the list. I did not realize Senator Snow was a wealthy individual.

However, we still live in times when a woman is only able to step into what was a man’s world, if she generally has a husband and he has the financial wherewithal for her to succeed. The United States Senate is a very expensive club. However, it has not been gender challenged for many years. Most Senators are rich, are they not? It is almost like the qualifications to become a senator are not only having attained 30 years of age, one must also check the box that indicates "wealthy" versus just rich.

However, I do not begrudge anyone their wealth, if obtained legally.

By Bonnie Oliver on 05/12/2009 12:48 am

After going through the pix, I have to agree with you. There isn’t one flattering shot in the whole bunch. Wonder if it is because these are serious women and not young starlets.

By Judy K. on 05/12/2009 2:51 am

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The picture of Carolyn Maloney is flattering. But we need to remember that these are not young women. This is illustrative of how stories like "This is what 60 really looks like" that show female celebrities with their plastic faces deceive women into thinking that as we get older, we won’t look older.

By roberta wickham on 05/12/2009 8:06 am

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I thought Hagen’s picture was actually not bad at all; but the worst was definately Maloney. That’s just an awful, awful picture…surely, there *has* to be a picture where she’s not making such a silly expression?? Come now, wow! :P

By Rachel F on 05/12/2009 9:40 am

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That is a flattering picture of Maloney. Most other pictures are far worse. See for yourself on Google images.

By roberta wickham on 05/12/2009 11:25 am

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Agreement here.

Although, that is the best picture of Rosa DiLauro I’ve seen, usually, and especially on FOX, she looks the the Witch Of The West. How would any of the wealthy w0w women like be shown in "real" pictures, not the airbrushed ones at the top of the headings, Hmm ?

As far as wealth, good for them.

By EKA - on 05/12/2009 10:45 am

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EKA: that is the best picture of Rosa DiLauro I’ve seen,…

OMG !!!

By Marjorie C. on 05/12/2009 11:38 am

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Marjorie — You beat me to the OMG!

By Lady Gator on 05/12/2009 1:37 pm

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Hey, you guys! don’t you diss our DiLauro! We in Connecticut are mighty proud of this tiger lady––you don’t mess with Rosa. Granted she ain’t gonna win no glamour photos, but through the years she has been a dogged representative of high standards and we love her.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 05/12/2009 5:42 pm

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And the purpose of this article is??????

By Andrea Brandon on 05/12/2009 12:49 am

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Andrea - It is a time honored tradition in America to keep track of who has the most money.

By Bonnie Oliver on 05/12/2009 12:55 am

I know, Bonnie, I know. But before I die I would like just one person to explain to me WHY. All I get out of it is, "He with the most money has all the power." Maybe I’m just a naive fool and would rather see a slideshow of women in national politics who are poor as church mice, save for their salaries, and are making a huge difference because they are passionate about their work.

By Andrea Brandon on 05/12/2009 1:36 am

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Andrea, you don’t strike me as a "naive fool" in any way. Money is power in politics. It gets people elevated into an arena that bring them the most financial gain. Think "lobbyists." Think large companies who donate millions of dollars to one party (or sometimes both) to put a politician in an arena that can best help their agenda.

Obama received donations of more than $668 million. People who make contributions to any candidate expect something in return. That’s the side of politics that will never change. "I pat you on the back and you pat mine." What is interesting about this election is that for the first time, Obama refuses to release his donor list.

I agree with you, Andrea, that there are passionate people who would be excellent in the political arena and it is because they are poor that they never make it into the arena. There’s always someone else out there with more backing and exposure.

By deber B on 05/12/2009 6:50 am