James O’Keefe Biography: Net Worth, Age, Wife, Parents, Height, Lawsuit, Girlfriend, Kids
Biography
James Edward O’Keefe III (born June 28, 1984) is a renowned American political activist and journalist best known for founding Project Veritas.
This nonprofit organization conducts undercover investigations targeting perceived corruption in the media, government, and progressive groups. His work, often involving selectively edited videos, has sparked controversy, leading to legal issues, including a 2010 misdemeanour guilty plea.
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O’Keefe was ousted from Project Veritas in 2023 over alleged financial misconduct and later founded O’Keefe Media Group. A Rutgers University graduate, he has authored books like American Pravda and received conservative accolades, though critics question his methods and ethics.
| American political activist | |
| James O’Keefe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | James Edward O’Keefe III |
| Stage Name: | James O’Keefe |
| Born: | 28 June 1984 (age 40 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Bergen County, New Jersey, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Westwood High School, Rutgers University |
| Height: | 180 cm |
| Parents: | Deborah O’Keefe, James E. O’Keefe Jr. |
| Siblings: | Amanda Kathryn O’Keefe |
| Spouse: | Lila Rose (m. 2006) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Beverley Knight (2012) |
| Children: | N/A |
| Occupation: | Political Activist • Journalist |
| Net Worth: | $1 million-$5 million (USD) |
Early Life & Education
James Edward O’Keefe III was born on June 28, 1984, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. He is of Irish descent, with his family tracing their roots to the Connacht province of Ireland, having immigrated to the United States during the 19th-century wave of Irish emigration.
He is a Christian, and some sources mention his involvement in investigations related to Catholic organizations. He is the son of James E. O’Keefe Jr., a materials engineer, and Deborah O’Keefe, a physical therapist and teacher who instilled in him the values of social justice and integrity, which influenced his later career.
O’Keefe has one younger sister, Amanda Kathryn O’Keefe, and is the eldest child and only son of his parents. Growing up in Westwood, New Jersey, he attended Westwood High School, where he showed an early interest in the arts, theatre, and journalism.
He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest in the Boy Scouts of America. He enrolled at Rutgers University in 2002 and graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. During his time at Rutgers, he wrote a bi-weekly opinion column for The Daily Targum, the university’s student newspaper, and founded The Centurion, a conservative student publication.
Career
James O’Keefe launched his career in journalism and activism while attending Rutgers University, where he wrote for The Daily Targum and founded The Centurion, a conservative student newspaper created to counter perceived liberal bias in campus media. After earning a degree in philosophy in 2006, he turned his focus to investigative journalism, specializing in undercover operations.
In 2009, O’Keefe rose to national prominence with the founding of Project Veritas, a nonprofit organization aimed at exposing alleged corruption within media, government, and progressive groups. His first major investigation targeted ACORN, in which he and activist Hannah Giles posed as a pimp and prostitute.
The resulting undercover videos, though widely circulated, were heavily edited—earning praise from conservatives but sparking ethical concerns and criticism. The controversy led to ACORN’s eventual defunding. In 2010, O’Keefe pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour for unlawfully entering a U.S. senator’s office under false pretenses, receiving probation and a fine.
Despite legal challenges and accusations of deceptive editing, Project Veritas continued to release high-profile sting operations against organizations such as Planned Parenthood, NPR, and labor unions.
O’Keefe’s work drew strong backing from conservative circles and led to accolades, including recognition from the Republican National Lawyers Association. He also authored books, including Breakthrough (2013) and American Pravda (2018), outlining his investigative techniques and political philosophy.
In 2023, O’Keefe was removed from Project Veritas following internal allegations of financial mismanagement and workplace misconduct—claims he denied. Undeterred, he launched the O’Keefe Media Group to continue his brand of investigative journalism, this time with a focus on crowd-sourced reporting and transparency.
Social Media
- Wikipedia: James O’Keefe
- Instagram: James O’Keefe (@jamesokeefeiii)
- Facebook: James O’Keefe
Personal Life
James Edward O’Keefe III was born on June 28, 1984, in Bergen County, New Jersey, making him 40 years old as of June 12, 2025.
No definitive public records confirming James O’Keefe‘s current or past marriage. Some sources claim he married Lila Rose, an anti-abortion activist he collaborated with in 2006 on Planned Parenthood investigations, but this is unverified and likely inaccurate, as no credible evidence supports a marriage between them.
Other sources suggest a marriage to Beverley Knight, a British singer, since 2012, but this appears to be a mix-up with another James O’Keefe, a production technician married to Knight.
O’Keefe himself has stated he keeps his personal life private, avoiding sharing his last name on first dates due to his controversial public profile, which suggests he is cautious about romantic disclosures. As of the latest available information, he is likely single and has not been publicly linked to any confirmed relationships or engagements.
There is no verified information indicating that O’Keefe has children, either biological or adopted. His height is 180 cm.
Net Worth
James O’Keefe‘s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, primarily derived from his work as a political activist and filmmaker.
His income sources include his former role at Project Veritas, where he earned a reported $396,000 in 2019, as well as book sales, speaking engagements, and media appearances.
After founding O’Keefe Media Group in 2023, he has also generated revenue through subscriptions and sponsorships. Estimates vary due to his private nature and the controversial status of his organizations.
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