Alan Lee Keyes Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Career, Education

Alan Lee Keyes is an American politician, diplomat, political activist, author, and radio host known for his conservative views and multiple presidential candidacy campaigns.

A prominent African American conservative, he served in the Reagan administration and ran for the U.S. Senate and presidency, advocating for limited government, pro-life policies, and constitutional principles.

Profile

• Full Name: Alan Lee Keyes
• Stage Name: Alan Keyes
• Born: August 7, 1950
• Age: 74 years old
• Birthplace: Long Island, New York, USA (St. Albans Naval Hospital, Queens)
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American Politician, Diplomat, Political Activist, Author, Radio Host, Commentator
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Allison L. Keyes (father, U.S. Army sergeant, teacher), and Gerthina Quick Keyes (mother, homemaker)
• Siblings: Four (names undisclosed, Keyes is the fifth child)
• Spouse: Jocelyn Marcel Keyes (married since 1981)
• Children: 3, Maya Marcel-Keyes (daughter), Andrew Keyes (son), Francis Keyes (son)
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1million to $5 million

Early Life and Education

Alan Lee Keyes was born on August 7, 1950, at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens, New York, to Allison L. Keyes, a U.S. Army sergeant and teacher, and Gerthina Quick Keyes, a homemaker. The fifth of five children, Keyes grew up on military bases across the United States (Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Virginia) and in Italy due to his father’s service.

His family emphasized education, and Keyes excelled academically. He attended high school in San Antonio, Texas, where he was student council president, and later graduated from Community High School in Tehran, Iran, in 1966.

Keyes began his undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where he faced death threats for supporting the Vietnam War and opposing civil rights protests, prompting his transfer to Cornell’s Paris program under mentor Allan Bloom. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Government Affairs at Harvard University in 1972, joining the Cornell University Glee Club and The Hangovers.

Keyes earned a Ph.D. in Government Affairs from Harvard in 1979, writing his dissertation on Alexander Hamilton and constitutional theory under Harvey Mansfield.

Career

Keyes began his career in the U.S. Foreign Service in 1979, serving at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India, and as a desk officer for Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C. In 1981, he joined the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, gaining attention for defending diplomat Jeane Kirkpatrick during a 1979 incident in India.

President Ronald Reagan appointed him Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (1983–1985), where he advocated the Mexico City Policy, restricting U.S. funding for abortions overseas. From 1985 to 1987, he served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, focusing on human rights and U.N. reform.

Keyes ran as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Maryland in 1988 (losing to Paul Sarbanes) and 1992 (losing to Barbara Mikulski), drawing criticism for paying himself $8,500 monthly from 1992 campaign funds, leaving unpaid debts of $44,500. He served as president of Citizens Against Government Waste (1989–1991) and interim president of Alabama A&M University (1991), where he controversially restricted trustees’ media interactions.

From 1994 to 1998, he hosted The Alan Keyes Show: America’s Wake-Up Call on WCBM radio, syndicated nationally. In 2002, he hosted Alan Keyes Is Making Sense on MSNBC, canceled after six months due to low ratings but notable for its pro-Israel stance, earning him a 2002 honor from the Israeli government.

Keyes sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1996, 2000, and 2008, emphasizing anti-abortion, family values, and tax reform. His 2000 campaign was his strongest, finishing second in eight primaries, with 20% in Utah, and included a notable stunt jumping into a mosh pit for Michael Moore’s The Awful Truth.

In 2004, he ran for U.S. Senate in Illinois against Barack Obama as a last-minute Republican replacement, losing by a wide margin (70% to 27%). In 2008, after failing to secure the Constitution Party nomination, he formed America’s Independent Party, placing seventh with 47,694 votes.

Keyes has written for World Net Daily, Lifesite News, and Daily Caller, His outspoken views on abortion, homosexuality, and Obama’s citizenship have sparked controversy, including a 2008 lawsuit questioning Obama’s eligibility.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @alan_keyes
• Facebook Handle: @AlanKeyes
• Twitter Handle: @AlanKeyes

Personal Life

Keyes has been married to Jocelyn Marcel Keyes, of Indian descent from Calcutta, since 1981. They have three children: Maya Marcel-Keyes, Andrew Keyes, and Francis Keyes. In 2005, Maya, then 19, publicly identified as lesbian and anarchist, claiming her parents disowned her and stopped funding her education, a claim Keyes did not directly address.

Keyes, a Roman Catholic, has called homosexuality “sinful,” straining family ties. He resides in Maryland, maintaining a private life despite public controversies, including his 1992 campaign finance issues and 2008 Obama citizenship lawsuit.

Keyes is a vocal supporter of Israel, earning a unique honor in 2002, and opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and socialism. His philosophy, termed “Declarationism,” emphasizes the Declaration of Independence’s principles. Hobbies include reading political philosophy and singing (from his glee club days). His Leo zodiac sign and Chinese zodiac Tiger reflect his bold, outspoken nature.

Filmography

• Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006, Mockumentary) – Himself (unwitting interviewee)
• Owned & Operated (2012, Documentary) – Himself
• Various TV appearances as a commentator on MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News

Net Worth

Alan Keyes’ estimated net worth ranges from $1million to $5 million. His income derives from government salaries (Reagan administration, U.N. roles), radio and TV hosting (America’s Wake-Up Call, Making Sense), speaking engagements, and writing for World Net Daily and others.