Jocelyn Benson Biography: Husband, Height, Child, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents

Jocelyn Benson is an American attorney, academic, and public official serving as the Secretary of State of Michigan.

Born on October 22, 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she is widely recognized for her leadership in election security, civil rights, and government transparency.

Before entering public office, she served as dean of Wayne State University Law School and CEO of a national nonprofit.

Profile

• Full Name: Jocelyn Michelle Benson
• Stage Name: Jocelyn Benson
• Born: October 22, 1977
• Age: 47 years old
• Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Secretary of State of Michigan, Attorney, Academic
• Height:
• Parent: Mr. and Mrs. Benson
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Ryan Friedrichs
• Children: Aiden Friedrichs
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life And Education

Jocelyn Benson was born on October 22, 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is 47 years old. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Benson. Her ethnicity is Caucasian, and she was raised in a Christian household.

Benson earned her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, her master’s in sociology from Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar, and her law degree from Harvard Law School.

Career

Jocelyn Benson began her professional journey in public interest law and academia. She worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center and later clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

She joined Wayne State University Law School as a professor and, in 2012, became the dean—making her the youngest woman to lead a top-tier U.S. law school at the time.

She authored a widely respected book on the role of Secretaries of State in elections. Additionally, she served as CEO of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social justice through sports.

In 2018, she was elected Secretary of State of Michigan, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in over two decades. During her first term, she prioritized modernizing the state’s elections, increasing transparency, and expanding voter access.

Her leadership during the 2020 U.S. presidential election earned her national attention, especially for standing firm against efforts to undermine Michigan’s election results. She was reelected in 2022 with the highest vote total of any candidate on the ballot.

Throughout her political career, Benson has remained focused on protecting voting rights, improving customer service in the Secretary of State’s offices, and advancing ethical government practices.

In April 2025, she announced her candidacy for the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election, positioning herself as a pro-democracy leader with a strong record of reform and public service.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @jocelynbenson
• Facebook handle: Jocelyn Benson
• Twitter handle: @JocelynBenson

Personal Life

American attorney, academic, and public official serving as the Secretary of State of Michigan, Jocelyn is married to Ryan Friedrichs, and they have one son named Aiden Friedrichs. No previous relationships are publicly known. Regarding her height, Jocelyn Benson stands at 5 feet and 7 inches tall.

Net Worth

Jocelyn Benson has an estimated net worth of around $1 million. Her income stems from various roles: dean of Wayne State Law School, CEO of a nonprofit (Ross Initiative), and her current salary as Michigan’s Secretary of State (approximately $112,410 annually).

In 2018, her household income reached $535,000, which included her husband’s earnings as well. She also earns royalties from her published work and speaking engagements. Benson’s financial strength is built on a foundation of public service, academia, nonprofit leadership, and thought leadership in election integrity.