Al Sharpton Biography: Net Worth, Age, Parents, Weight, Wife, Children, Movies, Salary, TV Shows
Biography
Al Sharpton, born Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr. on October 3, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and media personality.
Known for his fiery oratory and advocacy for racial justice, he founded the National Action Network in 1991 to address issues like police brutality and systemic inequality.
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Sharpton rose to prominence in the 1980s through high-profile cases like the Tawana Brawley controversy and has since been a polarizing figure, praised for championing marginalized communities and criticized for his confrontational style.
He hosts MSNBC’s PoliticsNation and remains a vocal advocate for social justice.
| American civil rights activist | |
| Al Sharpton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr. |
| Stage Name: | Al Sharpton |
| Born: | 3 October 1954 (age 70 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Brownsville, New York, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Samuel J. Tilden High School, Brooklyn College |
| Height: | 178 cm |
| Parents: | Ada Richards, Alfred Charles Sharpton Sr. |
| Siblings: | Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow, Cheryl Sharpton, Ernestine Sharpton, Joy Sharpton |
| Spouse: | Kathy Jordan (m. 1980–2021) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Aisha McShaw (2004) |
| Children: | Dominique Sharpton, Ashley Sharpton |
| Occupation: | Activist • Minister • Media Personality |
| Net Worth: | $500,000 (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Alfred Charles “Al” Sharpton Jr. was born on October 3, 1954, in the Brownsville neighbourhood of Brooklyn, New York City.
Of African American ethnicity with Cherokee roots, Sharpton was raised in a middle-class family in Hollis, Queens, until a family crisis altered their circumstances.
His father, Alfred Charles Sharpton Sr., was a contractor and landlord, while his mother, Ada (née Richards) Sharpton, worked as a seamstress before becoming a maid after the couple’s separation.
In 1963, Sharpton‘s father left the family to pursue a relationship with one of Sharpton‘s half-sisters, leading Ada to relocate with her children to public housing projects in Brownsville, where they qualified for welfare due to her low income.
Sharpton has siblings, including a sister named Joy Sharpton and a half-brother, Rev. Kenny Glasgow (Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow). His siblings are Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow, Cheryl Sharpton, Ernestine Sharpton, and Joy Sharpton.
Sharpton showed early signs of his future as a religious leader, delivering his first sermon at age four and being ordained as a Pentecostal minister at age nine under the mentorship of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, with whom he toured as a young boy.
He graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn and briefly attended Brooklyn College, dropping out after two years in 1975 to focus on activism and ministry, eventually becoming a Baptist preacher.
Career
Al Sharpton’s career reflects a lifetime of civil rights activism, ministry, and media influence, defined by his bold advocacy for racial justice and his often controversial public image.
Ordained as a Pentecostal minister at just nine years old, he began preaching in churches and even toured with gospel legend Mahalia Jackson as a child.
By age thirteen, his activism was already taking shape when he became youth director for Jesse Jackson’s Operation Breadbasket in New York, championing economic empowerment for Black communities.
In 1971, he established the National Youth Movement, later known as the United African Movement, which mobilized young people for civil rights causes.
His activism captured national attention during the 1980s with cases like the Howard Beach racial attack in 1986 and the Tawana Brawley case in 1987, where he pushed claims of racial injustice, though the latter brought criticism for unproven allegations.
In 1991, he founded the National Action Network (NAN), which became a central platform for addressing systemic issues such as police brutality, voter suppression, and economic inequality. NAN’s annual conventions and marches, often led alongside grieving families, solidified Sharpton’s presence as one of the nation’s most vocal civil rights leaders.
Sharpton ventured into politics with several campaigns, running for the U.S. Senate in 1988, 1992, and 1994, and for New York City mayor in 1997, though he never secured elected office.
His 2004 Democratic presidential run showcased his ability to shape national conversations, despite not achieving electoral success. Alongside activism, he grew into a significant media presence, hosting the syndicated radio show Keepin’ It Real with Al Sharpton and later becoming a fixture on MSNBC with PoliticsNation beginning in 2011.
His visibility extended beyond news media, with appearances in films like Mr. Deeds and shows such as The Boondocks.
Though frequently criticized for his confrontational tactics, tax disputes, and accusations of self-promotion, Sharpton has consistently been recognized for amplifying marginalized voices and pressing for systemic change.
His influence endures as a bridge between grassroots movements, media platforms, and political discourse, making him one of the most prominent and enduring figures in modern civil rights leadership.
Social Media
- Wikipedia: Al Sharpton
- Twitter: Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) / X
- Instagram: Rev. Al Sharpton (@real_sharpton)
- Facebook: Reverend Al Sharpton
Personal Life
Al Sharpton was born on October 3, 1954. He is 70 years old.
He was married to Kathy Jordan, a backup singer for James Brown, whom he met in the 1970s. They married in 1980 and separated in 2004 after 24 years of marriage.
The couple did not formally divorce until 2022. Sharpton has not remarried since. He has two daughters with Kathy Jordan: Dominique Sharpton, born in 1986, and Ashley Sharpton, born in 1987.
Both daughters are involved in activism, with Dominique serving as a leader in the National Action Network. Sharpton stands at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
After separating from Kathy Jordan in 2004, he began a long-term relationship with Aisha McShaw, a fashion stylist and entrepreneur, around 2013, though they have not married.
Net Worth
Al Sharpton‘s net worth is estimated at $500,000, primarily derived from his roles as a civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and MSNBC host of PoliticsNation.
This figure reflects earnings from media appearances, speaking engagements, and his salary from the National Action Network (NAN), where he serves as president and earned over $1 million in compensation in recent years.
His finances have faced scrutiny, including past tax debts exceeding $1.5 million that he settled in the mid-2010s. However, some estimates place his wealth higher, at up to $1.5 million, due to book deals and radio hosting.
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