Jane Sanders is the wife of Bernie Sanders, the renowned American liberal politician, and activist who has represented the state of Vermont in the Senate since 2007. Jane Sanders was born on 3rd January 1950 and is a 74-year-old American social worker, former college administrator, activist, and political strategist.
Before Jane, Bernie Sanders was married to Deborah Shiling; he also dated Susan Campbell Mott, with whom he had his only biological child, a son named Levi Sanders. Bernie and Jane Sanders have been married for over three decades, and according to the politician, Jane has been one of his key advisers in his political journey. Discover more about this formidable lady here.
Profile Summary of Jane Sanders
- Full Name: Mary Jane O’Meara Sanders (née O’Meara)
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: American
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Date of Birth: January 3, 1950
- Age: 74 Years Old
- High School: Saint Saviour High School
- College:
- University of Tennessee (Dropped Out),
- Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont (BA)
- Union Institute and University (MA, Ph.D.)
- Occupation: Social Worker, College Administrator, and Political Strategist
- Mother: Bernadette Joan (Sheridan)
- Father: Benedict P. O’Meara
- Ex-Husband: Dave Driscoll
- Husband: Bernie Sanders (1988 – Present)
- No. of Children: Three
- Instagram: janeosanders
- Twitter: @janeosanders
Bernie Sanders’ Wife Grew Up In Brooklyn, New York City
It was on January 3rd of the aforementioned year that Jane was born and named Mary Jane O’Meara. She is of Irish descent and one of the five children of Benedict P. and Bernadette Joan O’Meara.
Records have it that her place of birth was in Brooklyn, New York City. This is also where she was raised alongside her siblings. Jane hails from a Catholic family and was raised in the faith. It is said that she attended Catholic schools growing up, and we can confirm she was a student of Saint Saviour High School – an all-girls, private Catholic school in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York.
She Holds Degrees in Social Work, Politics, and Education
Following her graduation from high school, Jane left Brooklyn for Knoxville, Tennessee, to further her education at the University of Tennessee. However, she didn’t get to graduate as she got married and eventually moved back to Brooklyn, where she lived with her first husband, David Driscoll. Sometime in 1975, the couple relocated to Vermont as David was transferred to work for IBM there. Roughly five years later, in 1980, the marriage packed up, and this inspired Jane to complete her education.
Instead of returning to the University of Tennessee, Jane Sanders opted for Goddard College, a private liberal arts college in Plainfield, Vermont, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work. She later obtained a Master of Arts degree from Union Institute and University before going on to bag a doctorate in leadership studies in politics and education from the same institution, a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jane Sanders Is a Social Worker and Political Strategist
Jane Sanders’ career journey began with the Burlington Police Department, where she worked in the juvenile division. She went on to work in various capacities with AmeriCorps VISTA, as a School Board Commissioner, amongst other jobs that are socially impactful, before she was made a Provost and Interim President of Goddard College, this was in 1996.
That isn’t the only college she has led. From March 2004 to September 2011, Jane served as the President of Burlington College, a private liberal arts college in Burlington, Vermont. Apart from her work as a college administrator, Bernie Sanders’ wife is a senior partner at Leadership Strategies, a consulting firm based in Burlington.
In addition to all of the above, she has been an adviser and aid to her husband Bernie Sanders. It is said that the famous politician has employed Jane to work for him at various times and in various capacities, ranging from being a media buyer to an administrative assistant, chief of staff, spokeswoman, and policy adviser.
Jane Sanders Met Bernie in 1981
Jane divorced her first husband, David Driscoll, in 1980, and the following year, she met her second. As the story goes, they met when the politician was campaigning for his first political office – as the mayor of Burlington.
Jane was told that her views were similar to those of Bernie Sanders; she didn’t know who he was at that point but soon learned he was running for mayor. She helped organize a debate for those vying for the office and fell in love with Sanders’ ideas at the event.
At a victory party, after Sanders won the election that saw him become the 37th Mayor of Burlington, Bernie asked Jane to dance with him, and it marked the beginning of their relationship. They have been together ever since, and it has been over four decades.
Jane has supported her husband through the highs and lows of a public service career. He has served as the senator representing Vermont since 2007. He also sought the Democratic Party nomination for president of the United States in 2016 and 2020, respectively. The politician who self-identifies as a democratic socialist finished second in both campaigns and is renowned across the United States as one of the oldest, most active politicians on either side of the nation’s political divide.
They Got Married In May 1988
About seven years after their relationship began, Bernie and Jane Sanders were convinced they were meant to be life partners, so they got married on the 28th of May, 1988. Yes, the couple has been married for over three decades, and there has never been a report of any marital issue.
Theirs’ has been a happy marriage. Even though they don’t have any children together, Bernie considers Dave Driscoll, Carina Driscoll, and Heather Titus as his kids: they are Jane’s children from her first marriage. Like his wife, Bernie was also a divorcee when he met Jane. His first marriage was to his college sweetheart named, Deborah Shiling Messing. They got married in 1964 and divorced in 1966 without having any kids.
The politician has only one biological child, a son named Levi Sanders. Bernie had Levi with his ex-girlfriend, Susan Campbell Mott, on the 29th of March 1969. Levi graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in history. He works as a social security senior legal analyst with Cambridge & Somerville Legal Services.
FAQs about Jane Sanders
What is Jane O’Meara Sanders’ Net Worth?
Jane O’Meara Sanders’ last estimated net worth was pegged at $1 million, while her husband, Bernie Sanders, has an estimated net worth of $3 million as of 2021.
How Old is Jane Sanders?
Jane Sanders is 74 years old. Bernie Sanders’ second wife was born on January 3, 1950.
