Elaine Chao is an American businesswoman and former government official. Chao was the first Asian-American woman to serve in a presidential cabinet. She served as director of the Peace Corps from 1991 to 1992 and as president of the United Way of America from 1993 to 1996. She also served as United States Secretary of Labor from 2001 to 2009 and as United States Secretary of Transportation from 2017 to 2021.
Elaine Chao Biography
| Full Name | Elaine Lan Chao |
| Nickname | Elaine Chao |
| Profession | Businesswoman and former government official |
| Date of Birth | 26 March 1953 |
| Age | 73 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Nationality | American (since 1972) Taiwan (befor 1971) |
| School | Syosset High School, Syosset, New York |
| College | Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts Harvard Business School |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics Master of business administration |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Religion | Christianity |
| X (Twitter) | @elainechao |
Elaine Chao Age
Elaine Chao (Elaine Lan Chao) was born on 26 March 1953 in Taipei, Taiwan. She is 73 years old as of 2026, and his zodiac sign is Aries.
Elaine Chao Husband, Children
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Boyfriend | Mitch McConnell |
| Spouse/Husband | Mitch McConnell (m. 1993) |
| Children | Step-children – Elly, Claire and Porter McConnell |
Elaine Chao Family
| Father’s Name | Dr. James S.C. Chao |
| Mother’s Name | Ruth Mulan Chu Chao |
| Brother’s Name | None |
| Sister’s Name | May, Christine, Grace, Jeanette, and Angela Chao |
Career
| Political Party | Republican |
| April 1988 to April 1989 | Commissioner of the federal maritime Commission |
| April 1988 to April 1989 | Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission |
| April 1989 to October 1991 | 4th United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation |
| October 1991 to January 2009 | 24th United State Secretary of Labor |
| January 2017 to January 2021 | 18th United States Secretary of Transportation |
Elaine Chao Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 163 cm In meters – 1.63 m In feet & inches – 5’4” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 57 kg In pounds – 126 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
Elaine Chao Net Worth
The estimated net worth of American businesswoman and former government official Elaine Chao ranges from $24 million to $30 million as of July 2026.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $25 million to $30 million (as of July 2026) |
| Annual Income (Approx) | Update soon |
| Salary (Approx) | Not a fixed salary |
| Real Estate | Shared properties with her husband |
| Income sources | Salary, business venture, social media, investment, etc. |
Some Interesting Facts About Elaine Chao
FAQ:
How old is Elaine Chao?
As of 2026, Elaine Chao is 73 years old.
Who is Elaine Chao’s husband?
Elaine Chao has been married to Mitch McConnell since 1993.
What is Elaine Chao’s net worth?
As of July 2026, Elaine Chao’s net worth is estimated at $24 million to $30 million.