Lee Zeldin is an American lawyer, politician, and retired Army Reserve officer. Since January 2025, he has been serving as the 17th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Born on January 30, 1980, in East Meadow, New York, he is 45 years old as of 2025. He is known for his strong support of Donald Trump and his push for environmental deregulation.
Zeldin was earlier a U.S. Representative for New York’s 1st District from 2015 to 2023 and a New York State Senator from 2011 to 2014. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for over 20 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. His estimated net worth is around $2 million to $5 million.
Lee Zeldin Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Lee Michael Zeldin |
| Date of Birth | January 30, 1980 |
| Age | 45 years (as of August 3, 2025) |
| Profession | Attorney, Politician, EPA Chief |
| Hometown | East Meadow, New York, USA |
| Current Home | Shirley, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| @leezeldin | |
| X (Twitter) | @LeeMZeldin |
Physical Details
| Height | Approx. 5’10” (1.78 m) |
| Weight | Approx. 80–85 kg (176–187 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
Lee Zeldin Early Life
Lee Zeldin was born on January 30, 1980, in East Meadow, New York. He grew up in Suffolk County with his parents, Merrill Schwartz and David Zeldin. He attended Hebrew school and later graduated from William Floyd High School in 1998.
From a young age, Zeldin was focused on academics and leadership. He earned a political science degree from SUNY Albany in 2001, followed by a law degree from Albany Law School in 2003. He joined the Army ROTC during college and later served in the Military Intelligence Corps, including a deployment to Iraq in 2006. He retired from the Army Reserve in 2025.
Education
| School | William Floyd High School, NY |
| University | SUNY Albany & Albany Law School |
| Qualifications | B.A. in Political Science (2001), Juris Doctor (2003) |
Family Details
| Parents | Merrill Schwartz (mother), David Zeldin (father) |
| Relationship | Married to Diana Zeldin (since 2003) |
| Children | Mikayla and Arianna (twin daughters) |
Lee Zeldin married Diana Zeldin in 2003. They have identical twin daughters and live in Shirley, New York. While Lee practices Judaism, Diana is a Mormon. Their family is often seen together during political events.
Career Highlights
Lee Zeldin started his political journey in the New York State Senate (2011–2014), where he helped pass a 2% property tax cap. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023. During that time, he supported foreign policy, finance, and veterans’ issues, and was known for defending President Trump.
In 2022, he ran for governor of New York but lost to Kathy Hochul. In 2025, he was appointed as Administrator of the EPA, where he began a strong push to cut environmental regulations, including a $22 billion grant reduction and a plan to repeal key climate change rules.
Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $2 million–$5 million |
| Income Sources | Law practice, government salary, campaigns |
| Assets | Home in Shirley, NY |
Lee Zeldin earns from his law practice and his time in politics. He receives a government salary and has also raised campaign funds, especially from energy industries. He owns a house in New York, but no other major assets are publicly confirmed.
Controversies
Deregulation Criticism (2025)
As EPA head, Zeldin faced backlash for cutting funds and repealing climate protections. Environmental groups accused him of favoring politics over science.
Changing Views on Climate
Zeldin once supported solar power, but later opposed fracking bans and climate laws in New York. His voting record received a low score from environmental groups.
Trump Loyalty
He defended Trump during both impeachments and voted against certifying the 2020 election results, drawing praise from Republicans and criticism from Democrats.