Steve Bannon's net worth is estimated at around $20 million to $40 million, though some estimates run considerably higher, reflecting the difficulty of assessing wealth built through Goldman Sachs banking, film production, Breitbart News, and later media ventures including his "War Room" podcast, much of which is held through privately disclosed business interests.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Stephen Kevin Bannon |
| Born | November 27, 1953, Norfolk, Virginia |
| Education | Virginia Tech (BA, 1976); Georgetown University (MA, 1983); Harvard Business School (MBA, 1985) |
| Known For | Executive chairman of Breitbart News; White House Chief Strategist, January-August 2017 |
| 2020-2021 Case | Federal fraud indictment over the "We Build the Wall" fundraiser; pardoned by President Trump in January 2021 |
| 2022 Conviction | Convicted of contempt of Congress for defying a January 6 committee subpoena; served four months in federal prison in 2024 |
| 2025 Plea | Pleaded guilty to related New York state fraud charges; sentenced to three years' conditional discharge |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $20 million to $40 million |
Early Life and Career
Bannon was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a bachelor's degree in urban planning from Virginia Tech in 1976, a master's degree in national security studies from Georgetown University in 1983, and an MBA with honors from Harvard Business School in 1985. He served as a U.S. Navy surface warfare officer from 1977 to 1983 aboard the USS Paul F. Foster, including a 1980 deployment to the Persian Gulf during the Iran hostage crisis, before later working as a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. He joined Goldman Sachs as an investment banker in its mergers and acquisitions department, later relocating to Los Angeles in 1987 to help expand the firm's entertainment-industry business, and departed as a vice president in 1990.
Breitbart News and the 2016 Campaign
Bannon became a founding board member of Breitbart News in 2007 and its executive chairman in March 2012 after founder Andrew Breitbart's death, describing the site in 2016 as "the platform for the alt-right." He joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign as CEO on August 17, 2016, and following Trump's election was named White House chief strategist and senior counselor, serving from January 20 to August 18, 2017. He returned to Breitbart as executive chairman afterward before stepping down in January 2018.
We Build the Wall Case
In August 2020, federal prosecutors indicted Bannon on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering related to the "We Build the Wall" fundraising campaign, which raised money from donors for a privately built border wall. President Trump pardoned Bannon in January 2021 before leaving office, ending the federal case. Because a presidential pardon does not cover state charges, New York prosecutors later brought related fraud and money laundering charges; Bannon pleaded guilty in February 2025 and was sentenced to three years of conditional discharge.
Contempt of Congress Conviction
Separately, Bannon was convicted in July 2022 of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena from the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He was sentenced to four months in prison and a $6,500 fine, and served his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, from July to October 2024.
Media Work
Bannon has continued as a prominent conservative media figure through his podcast, "War Room," launched in 2019, which remains one of the most widely followed shows in conservative media.
Personal Life
Bannon has been married three times: to Cathleen Houff Jordan, divorced 1988; to Mary Piccard, married 1995 and divorced 1997; and to Diane Clohesy, married 2006 and divorced 2009. He has three children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Steve Bannon's net worth?
Estimated at around $20 million to $40 million, though estimates vary considerably given his privately held business interests.
Did Steve Bannon go to prison?
Yes. He served four months at a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, in 2024 after a 2022 conviction for contempt of Congress.
Was Steve Bannon pardoned?
Yes, by President Trump in January 2021, for a federal fraud case related to the "We Build the Wall" campaign. That pardon did not cover related New York state charges, to which he later pleaded guilty in 2025.
How long was Steve Bannon White House Chief Strategist?
From January 20 to August 18, 2017.