Rachel Levine Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Career

Rachel Leland Levine, a distinguished American pediatrician and public health official, served as the United States Assistant Secretary for Health and admiral of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps from 2021 to 2025.

She made history as the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the U.S. Senate and the first transgender four-star officer in any U.S. uniformed service.

Previously, she was Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health (2017–2021) and Physician General (2015–2017), leading initiatives on the opioid crisis, COVID-19 response, and LGBTQ+ health equity.

A professor at Penn State College of Medicine, Levine’s advocacy for marginalized communities and public health has earned her accolades, including USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2022.

Profile

• Full Name: Rachel Leland Levine
• Stage Name: Rachel Levine
• Born: 28 October, 1957
• Age: 67 years old
• Birthplace: Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Pediatrician, Public Health Official, Professor
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Melvin Levine, Lillian Levine
• Siblings: Bonnie Levine
• Spouse: Martha Levine (m. 1988–2013)
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Rachel Levine was born on October 28, 1957, in Wakefield, Massachusetts, to attorneys Melvin and Lillian Levine. Raised in a Jewish household with her older sister, Bonnie, she attended Belmont Hill School, an all-boys prep school, where she played football, hockey, and participated in glee club and drama.

She graduated from Harvard College in 1979 with a degree in biology and earned her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1983. Levine completed her pediatrics residency and adolescent medicine fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, specializing in the intersection of mental and physical health.

Her ethnicity is American (Jewish descent), and her religious background is Jewish.

Career

Rachel Levine began her career in 1993 at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where she served as director of Pediatric Ambulatory Services and Adolescent Medicine, establishing a multidisciplinary eating disorders program. In 2015, Governor Tom Wolf appointed her Pennsylvania’s Physician General, a role she held until 2017, focusing on opioid overdose prevention through a standing order for naloxone access.

She was unanimously confirmed as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health in 2018, leading the state’s COVID-19 response, implementing social distancing measures, and improving vaccination rates. Her tenure faced criticism over nursing home policies during the pandemic, with a 2019 audit highlighting persistent issues in regulation and staffing, though Levine emphasized ongoing reforms.

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Confirmed by the Senate in a 52–48 vote on March 24, 2021, with support from Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, she became the first openly transgender Senate-confirmed official.

As Assistant Secretary and head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, she oversaw public health initiatives, including COVID-19 response, HIV/AIDS treatment access, and health equity for marginalized groups. On October 19, 2021, she was sworn in as a four-star admiral, the first female and openly transgender officer to achieve this rank.

Her advocacy for gender-affirming care and LGBTQ+ youth health, including addressing bullying and medical distrust, drew both praise and controversy, with some X posts in 2024 alleging political motivations in her policies, though she maintained they were evidence-based.

Levine left HHS in January 2025, reflecting on her tenure amid rising anti-trans legislation, including bans on gender-affirming care in 26 states. She remains a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Penn State College of Medicine and continues to advocate for health equity, speaking at events like the University of Michigan’s 2025 seminar on gender equity.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Academy for Eating Disorders, Levine’s work on adolescent medicine, opioid addiction, and LGBTQ+ health has left a lasting impact, earning her a place on NBC’s Pride 30 list and USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2022.

Social Media

• Twitter Handle: @HHS_ASH
• LinkedIn Handle: Rachel Levine

Personal Life

Rachel Levine, a transgender woman using she/her pronouns, began exploring her gender identity in her 40s and transitioned in 2011. She was married to Martha Peaslee Levine from 1988 until their divorce in 2013, and they have two children.

Levine is single and keeps her personal life private, focusing on her professional advocacy. A board member of Equality Pennsylvania, she has championed LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for youth facing discrimination.

Net Worth

Rachel Levine has an estimated net worth of $3 million USD, accumulated through her career as a pediatrician, professor, and high-ranking public health official.

Her income sources include her salary as Assistant Secretary for Health (approximately $150,000–$200,000 annually), academic earnings from Penn State College of Medicine, and speaking engagements on public health and LGBTQ+ advocacy.