Edward Snowden Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, NSA, Exile

Edward Snowden is an American whistleblower and former NSA contractor born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

He gained worldwide attention in 2013 after leaking classified documents exposing global surveillance programs.

Snowden’s disclosures sparked major debates about privacy and government overreach.

Profile

• Full Name: Edward Joseph Snowden
• Stage Name: Edward Snowden
• Born: June 21, 1983
• Age: 41 (as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Former NSA Contractor, Whistleblower, Privacy Advocate
• Height: 6 feet (183 cm)
• Parent: Lonnie Snowden (father), Elizabeth Snowden (mother)
• Siblings: Lindsay Snowden
• Spouse: Lindsay Mills
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1–5 million

Early Life And Education

Edward Snowden was born on June 21, 1983, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA. He is 41 years old. He was raised by his parents, Lonnie Snowden, a Coast Guard officer, and Elizabeth Snowden.

He has one sister named Lindsay Snowden. Snowden is of American nationality and Caucasian ethnicity. While his specific religious beliefs are private, he was raised in a Christian environment.

For education, Snowden attended Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland but did not complete a degree. Instead, he focused on technical certifications and self-directed learning in computers and cybersecurity.

Career

Edward Snowden began his career working in various roles within U.S. intelligence agencies. He first worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and later became a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA).

Snowden specialized in cybersecurity and IT systems, gaining deep access to classified information.

In 2013, he made international headlines by leaking thousands of classified documents that revealed widespread global surveillance programs conducted by the NSA and its partners. His disclosures ignited a global debate on privacy, government surveillance, and civil liberties.

Following the leaks, Snowden fled the United States and was granted asylum in Russia, where he continues to speak out on issues of digital privacy and government transparency.

Awards and Nominations

Snowden’s recognitions include:

• Right Livelihood Award (2014), often called the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for exposing illegal mass surveillance.
• Ridenhour Truth-Telling Prize (2014) for courage in whistleblowing.
• The Sam Adams Award for Integrity in Intelligence (2013).
• Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 and 2015.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @that_snowden
• Twitter handle: @Snowden

Personal Life

Edward Snowden is married to Lindsay Mills. Before their marriage, they had been in a long-term relationship that continued even after Snowden went into exile.

Regarding his height, Edward Snowden is approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall. The couple has two children: their first son was born in December 2020, and their second son was born sometime before September 2022.

The names of their children have not been publicly disclosed.

Net Worth

Edward Snowden’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. His income mainly comes from book deals, including his bestselling memoir Permanent Record, speaking engagements, and consulting work related to digital privacy and cybersecurity.

Despite living in exile, Snowden has managed to build a comfortable financial situation through these activities.