Richard Grenell Bio: Husband, Age, Parents, Net Worth, Partner, Kids, Height, Family

Biography

Richard Allen Grenell, born on September 18, 1966, in Jenison, Michigan, is an American diplomat, political strategist, and media commentator.

A longtime Republican, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 2018 to 2020 and briefly as Acting Director of National Intelligence in 2020 under President Donald Trump. He made history as the first openly gay cabinet member in the U.S. Grenell also played a key role as Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations from 2019 to 2021.

Before his high-profile government appointments, Grenell worked as a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department at the United Nations from 2001 to 2008 and later served as a foreign policy advisor for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. A staunch Trump ally, he has been a prominent advocate for conservative policies and international efforts, including the push for global decriminalization of homosexuality.

In 2025, following Trump’s return to the White House, Grenell was appointed Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, expanding his diplomatic and strategic influence. He holds degrees from Evangel College and Harvard’s Kennedy School and remains active in conservative media and foreign policy discussions.

Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of United States
Richard Grenell
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Richard Allen Grenell
Stage Name:	Richard Grenell
Born:	18 September 1966 (age 58 years old)
Place of Birth:	Jenison, Michigan, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Evangel University, Harvard University
Height:	1.78 m
Parents:	Judi Grenell
Siblings:	3
Spouse:	Not Married
Boyfriend • Partner:	Matt Lashey (2009-)
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Diplomat • Political Strategist
Net Worth:	$4 million-$6 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Richard Allen Grenell was born on September 18, 1966, in Jenison, Michigan, a small community in Georgetown Township. His family has Midwestern roots with German and English ancestry, though specific details about his lineage are not widely documented.

He was raised in a devout Christian household with parents who were missionaries for the Church of God, a Pentecostal denomination. While his religious upbringing influenced his early years, he did not emphasize his faith in public life.

Grenell has spoken fondly of his mother, Judi Grenell, describing himself as a “mama’s boy,” highlighting their close relationship. Less is publicly known about his father, and he has kept details about his siblings—two brothers and a sister—private, maintaining a level of separation between his personal and professional life.

For his education, Grenell attended local schools in Jenison before moving on to Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, a Christian institution affiliated with the Assemblies of God. There, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Public Administration, setting the stage for his political career.

He later completed a Master’s in Public Administration at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in the mid-1990s, further solidifying his government and public service expertise.

Career

Richard Grenell’s career has spanned diplomacy, politics, and media, blending conservative advocacy with historic milestones. After earning a Bachelor’s degree from Evangel University and a Master’s from Harvard’s Kennedy School, he started out as a political consultant in the private sector before moving into public service.

In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him Director of Communications and Public Diplomacy for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Serving under Ambassador John Negroponte until 2008, he became the longest-serving U.S. spokesperson at the UN, tackling high-profile issues like the Iraq War with a direct and often partisan approach.

Following his time at the UN, Grenell founded Capitol Media Partners, a consulting firm, and worked as a foreign policy advisor for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. His career gained new momentum under Donald Trump, who appointed him U.S. Ambassador to Germany in 2018.

He aggressively promoted Trump’s “America First” agenda during his tenure, frequently clashing with German officials over trade, NATO spending, and diplomatic priorities. His blunt and uncompromising style made him controversial in European diplomatic circles.

In February 2020, Trump named Grenell Acting Director of National Intelligence, making him the first openly gay person to hold a cabinet-level position in U.S. history. Overseeing 17 intelligence agencies, he prioritized transparency and the declassification of key documents before stepping down in June 2020.

At the same time, he served as the Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations (2019–2021), helping broker economic agreements between the two nations, a notable diplomatic achievement.

After leaving government, Grenell remained a vocal conservative commentator, frequently appearing on Newsmax and advising the Republican National Committee.

His influence continued into 2025 when newly re-elected Trump appointed him as Presidential Envoy for Special Missions. Alongside his political career, Grenell has also championed global efforts to decriminalize homosexuality, aligning his advocacy with his diplomatic work.

Social Media

• Twitter: Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) / X
• Instagram: Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) / X

Personal Life

Richard Grenell is 58 years old, born on September 18, 1966. Grenell, who is openly gay, has never been married and has no wife or children.

He has been in a long-term relationship with Matt Lashey, a technology professional, since at least 2009. The couple has kept their personal lives private, though they occasionally appear together at public events, such as political gatherings tied to Grenell’s career.

Lashey has been described as a supportive partner, notably during Grenell’s battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013, from which he recovered after treatment.

Grenell’s height is not officially documented, but he appears to be of average stature—roughly estimated at around 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters) based on photos of public figures of known height, though this is speculative.

Grenell’s personal life stands out for its stability and discretion, particularly given his high-profile roles and historic status as the first openly gay cabinet member in U.S. history.

He and Lashey share a dog, a rescue named Lucas, which Grenell has occasionally mentioned affectionately on social media, offering a rare glimpse into his private world.

Net Worth

Richard Grenell’s net worth is estimated to range between $4 million and $6 million. This wealth is derived from his extensive diplomacy, politics, and media career, including high-profile roles such as U.S. Ambassador to Germany (2018–2020) and Acting Director of National Intelligence (2020), which earned him substantial government salaries.

Additional income stems from his consulting firm, Capitol Media Partners, founded in 2009, and media engagements, such as his time as a Fox News contributor and speaking gigs.