Table of Biography
Early Life
Jane Sanders was born in New York City, the United States, on January 3, 1950.
Her full name is Mary Jane O’Meara and she holds American citizenship. According to the astrological chart, she has a birth sign of Capricorn and is currently 74 years old. In addition, she belongs to the Irish ethnicity and practices Christianity.
She was born to Bernadette Joan (Sheridan) and Benedict P. O’Meara. Moreover, she grew up in Brooklyn, New York City, as one of the five children of her parents while her siblings’ names are yet unknown.
Jane Sanders – Education
She attended catholic schools including Saint Saviour High School. After this, she went to the University of Tennessee. Meanwhile, she dropped out of school and moved back to Brooklyn with her first husband, David Driscoll.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Goddard College in Vermont. Moreover, she earned a Ph.D. in leadership studies in politics and education from Union Institute and University in 1996.
Professional Career
Jane Sanders began working in the Juvenile Division of the Burlington Police Department, then as a community organizer with the King Street Area Youth Center, and as a volunteer for AmeriCorps VISTA.
She served as founding Director of the Mayor’s Youth Office and Department Head in the City of Burlington from the year 1981 to 1991. She was also involved in K-12 education, serving as a School Board Commissioner and founding member of the Women’s Council and Film Commission.
Adviser and aide to Bernie Sanders
Her spouse, Bernie Sanders, won the election to the United States Congress in 1991. From 1991 until 1995, she worked in his office as a volunteer. She has served in Bernie’s Congressional office as Chief of Staff, Policy and Press Adviser, and also serves as an Alternate Commissioner for the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission.
Caption: Democratic-Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders along with his wife Jane Sanders (Source: Town & Country Magazine)
Moreover, she was named Provost and Interim President of her alma mater, Goddard College, in 1996 to assist the institution during a difficult era. The Board, professors, staff, students, and Sanders collaborated to enhance the institution’s accreditation, finances, and governance.
President of Burlington College
From 2004 until 2011, she served as President of Burlington College, a small liberal arts college created in 1972 for non-traditional students. It closed owing to financial difficulties in 2016. During her tenure, she worked on expanding the college’s programs and facilities.
The Sanders Institute
Sanders had a key role in establishing The Sanders Institute, a progressive think tank that started in June 2017 and has 11 original fellows. She, like the other fellows, does not get payment for their work, although she gets paid for her travel expenses.
The institute aimed to promote progressive policies and address issues such as income inequality, healthcare, climate change, and other social and economic issues. Moreover, The Sanders Institute provided a platform for scholars, activists, and experts to discuss and promote progressive ideas through conferences, forums, and research.
Net Worth 2024
According to the various online websites, her net worth is estimated at around $3 million while she has not mentioned her salary and income. Being a college administrator, activist, and political strategist, she has been able to earn a good fortune.
Relationship Status
In 1988, Jane Sanders married to politician and activist; Bernie Sanders. The pair first met in the year 1981, ten days before Bernie’s first campaign victory as Mayor of Burlington, and again at his victory party.
Caption: Jane Sanders’s wedding photo (Source: The Sanders Institute)
She is the stepmother of Bernie’s son, Levi Sanders. In the past, she was married to IBM worker David Driscoll. The couple has three children: Heather, Carina, and David. Carina has political experience, having served as a state representative in the Vermont House of Representatives.
Controversies
Burlington College closed in 2016 owing to debt incurred from a real estate deal during Jane’s term. She was the president of this college from 2004 until 2011.
CNN investigated a loan application signed by Jane, which indicated the college would receive millions of dollars in pledged donations, many of which never materialized. Later, the inquiry concluded, and no charges were filed.
Body Measurements
Caption: Jane Sanders with her husband walking in the street (Source: The US Sun)
The beautiful woman has blonde hair with a pair of light brown eyes. Meanwhile, she has an average height, with average weight but the exact information regarding her other body measurements is unknown.
Jane Sanders – Social Media
On her Instagram page ‘@janeosanders’ there are over 23.4k followers. Likewise, there are over 128.4k followers on her Twitter page ‘@janeosanders’ and she is not present on Facebook at the moment.