Rich Dudes│How Much is AOC Worth?

Despite claims circulating on social media and in some articles, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's net worth is far lower than $1 million but is around $200,000.

Ocasio-Cortez's quick rise in politics and progressive stances have made her a celebrated figure, and at 33, she’s one of the youngest women to be elected to Congress.

 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez net worth at a glance

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez AKA AOC is an American politician, activist, and member of the Democratic Party who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and economics, achieving cum laude status from Boston University. 

She’s been serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, covering the eastern part of the Bronx, portions of north-central Queens, and Rikers Island in New York City.

AOC shot to fame in June 2018 after defeating ten-term incumbent Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary, marking a significant upset. She then won the general election against Republican nominee Anthony Pappas and was reelected in 2020 and 2022.

AOC made history by becoming the youngest woman to serve in Congress, taking office at age 29. She holds a double major in international relations and economics from Boston University, where she graduated cum laude. Before running for Congress in 2018, she was an activist and worked as a waitress and bartender.

As a passionate advocate for progressive policies, AOC's platform includes support for workplace democracy, Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, a federal jobs guarantee, a Green New Deal, and abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Along with Rashida Tlaib, AOC was the first female member of the Democratic Socialists of America to be elected to Congress. Throughout her political career, she has garnered attention for her significant social media presence relative to her fellow members of Congress.

Born in the Bronx to Sergio Ocasio-Roman and Blanca Ocasio-Cortez (née Cortez), AOC lived in Parkchester until her family moved to suburban Yorktown Heights when she was five. She attended Yorktown High School and graduated in 2007, going by "Sandy Ocasio" in high school and college. AOC is engaged to her fiance Riley Roberts.

AOC ranked second in microbiology at the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and was an intern for Senator Ted Kennedy’s office, where she focused on foreign affairs and immigration policy. While in college, her father's passing led to a probate battle exposing her to the legal system’s flaws.

Despite a Facebook post claiming she’s worth $29 million, Ocasio-Cortez's 2021 financial disclosure listed her assets as ranging between $3,003 and $45,000, with student debt of at least $15,000. Congressional financial disclosures list ranges of assets, liabilities, and income sources beyond congressional salary—currently $174,000 per year—rather than specific amounts.

Her latest financial disclosure filed in September 2022 shows assets ranging from $4,004 to $60,000. The four assets listed include a savings account, checking account, brokerage account, and a 401(k) plan, which amounts to $1,000 to $15,000 each.

But how has she managed to grow her wealth? The answer is politics.

Cars

In 2020, NYC Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) said she purchased an electric vehicle to make her commute from New York City to DC during the pandemic much safer—the $35,000 Tesla made her life easier at the time.

But in 2022, AOC had plans to upgrade to another EV made in a unionized factory. The Congresswoman expressed interest in swapping her Tesla for another EV following Elon Musk's attacks on her beliefs.

AOC has also added two luxury vehicles to her collection, a Mercedes-Benz EqC with a price tag of $140,000 and a BMW X7 worth $200,000.

Politics

New York Congresswoman AOC has amassed a net worth of approximately $200,000, which includes assets such as her 401k pension plan.

Her salary as a member of Congress is $174,000 per year, though her net take-home pay is not publicly known. While the democratic socialist won a seat in Congress in 2018, she wasn’t earning her six-figure salary for the first three months.

Despite the median net worth of U.S. Congress members being over $1.1 million, Ocasio-Cortez had less than $7,000 in her bank account (according to disclosures), and even had some student loan debt.

However, AOC didn’t shy away from the negative comments and instead took to social media to publicly announce that she was newly insured and had recently bought her first couch.

She was honest about her former experience as a bartender. AOC's previous job at The Coffee Shop earned her only $3,588 in 2018, according to her 2019 financial disclosure report. She also made $21,875 from her election campaign.

Ocasio-Cortez's fearless transparency has since become a hallmark of her approach to politics and has earned her admiration from supporters seeking honest and authentic representation in Congress.

Real estate

The place in which Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez resides has stirred up curiosity among many, as she lacks a district office or local phone number in New York. There's confusion on whether the Bronx and Queens representative still lives in Parkchester, the neighborhood linked to her success.

Although AOC has used her deceased father's Bronx condo on her voter registration since 2012, it's uncertain whether she's still living there. The Congresswoman has confirmed that she moved but still retains residency in her congressional district.

In 2019, it was reported that she rented an apartment in the newly built Navy Yard high-rise in Washington D.C's Ward 6, with rent starting at $1,840 per month for a studio and spanning up to $5,200 for a three-bedroom unit.

Nevertheless, AOC has remained tight-lipped on her real estate holdings, citing concerns for her safety.

Our research indicates that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's net worth is around $200,000 and not $29 million as falsely claimed.

As disclosed in her congressional filings, her political career as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district serves as the primary source of her wealth. AOC invests in asset classes such as real estate, cars, and politics, which includes her funding for progressive organizations, responsive politics, and climate change awareness.

Although she has a median net worth far lower than other members of Congress, AOC's fearless transparency towards her finances and personal life has earned significant admiration from supporters seeking honest representation in politics.

1. Take your best shot

2. Never back down

3. Be courageous