Marco Rubio, born Marco Antonio Rubio, is an American politician, lawyer, and diplomat who became the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State on January 21, 2025. A Republican of Cuban-American background, he is known for his strong foreign policy stance, especially on China and Latin America. Before joining the Cabinet, he served as U.S. Senator from Florida (2011–2025) and as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (2006–2008). He also ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Apart from being Secretary of State, Rubio has briefly served in other key roles in 2025, including acting National Security Advisor, acting Archivist of the United States, and acting USAID Administrator.
He is married to Jeanette Dousdebes, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, and together they have four children.
Marco Rubio Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Marco Antonio Rubio |
| Date of Birth | May 28, 1971 |
| Age | 54 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer, Diplomat |
| Hometown | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Current Residence | West Miami, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Instagram ID | @senatormarcorubio |
Physical Details
| Height | 5’9” (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lbs, approx.) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Brown |
Marco Rubio Early Life
Marco Rubio was born on May 28, 1971, in Miami, Florida. He is the son of Cuban immigrants Mario Rubio Reina and Oriales Garcia, who moved to the U.S. in 1956 during Batista’s rule in Cuba. His father worked as a bartender, while his mother took jobs as a housekeeper and cashier.
From ages 8 to 11, Rubio’s family lived in Las Vegas, where they attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1985, they moved back to Miami, where Rubio returned to the Catholic Church. He attended South Miami Senior High School, graduating in 1989. During school, he played football and developed an early interest in politics.
Education
| School | South Miami Senior High School |
| University | University of Florida; University of Miami School of Law |
| Qualification | B.A. in Political Science (1993); Juris Doctor, cum laude (1996) |
Rubio first attended Tarkio College in Missouri on a football scholarship before transferring to Santa Fe Community College. He later graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in political science in 1993. In 1996, he completed his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law. He financed his studies through student loans, which he finished paying off in 2012.
Family Details
| Parents | Father: Mario Rubio Reina (deceased) Mother: Oriales Garcia |
| Siblings | Brother: Mario Rubio Sisters: Barbara Rubio, Veronica Rubio |
| Relationship Status | Married to Jeanette Dousdebes (1998–present) |
| Children | Daughters: Amanda, Daniella Sons: Anthony, Dominick |
Marco Rubio married Jeanette Dousdebes in 1998 at the Church of the Little Flower in Miami. Jeanette is a former cheerleader and bank teller. They have four children – Amanda, Daniella, Anthony, and Dominick.
Marco Rubio Career
Career Highlights
| Year | Achievement |
| 1998 | Elected West Miami City Commissioner |
| 2000 | Elected to Florida House of Representatives |
| 2006 | Became Speaker of the Florida House |
| 2010 | Elected U.S. Senator from Florida |
| 2016 | Ran for Republican presidential nomination |
| 2025 | Appointed 72nd U.S. Secretary of State |
Rubio’s political journey began when he interned for Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and worked on Bob Dole’s 1996 campaign. In 1998, he was elected West Miami City Commissioner, and two years later, he won a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. By 2006, he became the first Cuban-American Speaker of the Florida House.
In 2010, Rubio entered national politics as a U.S. Senator from Florida, serving for nearly 15 years. He became a prominent Republican voice on foreign affairs, immigration, and economic reforms. In 2013, he co-authored the “Gang of Eight” immigration reform bill.
In 2016, Rubio ran for the Republican presidential nomination, but lost to Donald Trump. Despite this, he remained influential and was re-elected to the Senate in 2016 and 2022.
In 2025, Rubio joined President Trump’s second administration as Secretary of State, where he has taken a tough line on China and focused heavily on Latin America policy. Alongside this, he has briefly held other acting roles such as National Security Advisor and Archivist of the United States.
Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $400,000 – $1 million |
| Income Sources | Political salary, book royalties, real estate |
Marco Rubio’s net worth in 2025 is estimated between $400,000 and $1 million. His income sources include his salary as Secretary of State ($250,600 annually), his past Senate salary, and royalties from his 2012 memoir An American Son, which earned over $1.2 million. He also reported teaching income as an adjunct professor at Florida International University.
His assets mainly include a home in West Miami, valued between $0.5 and $2.4 million. At the same time, his financial disclosures show debts, including a large mortgage, which keeps his net worth relatively modest compared to other senior U.S. politicians.
Controversies
- Cuba Exile Story (2011): Rubio once claimed his parents fled Cuba after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution. Records later revealed they had left in 1956, before Castro came to power. He explained this as a misunderstanding of “family lore.”
- NRA Funding (2018): After the Parkland shooting, Rubio was criticized for accepting campaign support from the NRA. He defended his stance, saying it aligned with his political agenda.
- USAID Abolition (2025): As Secretary of State, Rubio faced backlash for not preventing the closure of USAID, despite previously supporting the agency.
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