Darren Bailey Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Family, Height, Election

Biography

Darren Bailey (born March 17, 1966) is a celebrated American Republican politician, third-generation farmer, and lifelong conservative from rural Louisville, Illinois.

A devoted husband to Cindy Stortzum for over 39 years, he shares four adult children and thirteen grandchildren with her, living by the motto “faith, family, and farming.” Together, they founded Full Armor Christian Academy, a private Christian school in their community.

Bailey earned an A.A.S. in Agricultural Production from Lake Land College and operates the family farm with his sons. Before entering politics, he served 17 years on the North Clay school board, including 12 as president, and remains active in local organizations like Rotary and the Gideons.

Elected to the Illinois House of Representatives for the 109th District in 2018, Bailey advanced to the State Senate for the 55th District in 2020, where he served until 2023. Known for his far-right stances, he gained national attention in 2020 by suing Governor J.B. Pritzker over COVID-19 restrictions and refusing to wear a mask in session.

In 2022, he ran as the GOP nominee for Illinois governor, losing to Pritzker. As of 2025, Bailey is campaigning again for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the March 17, 2026, primary.

Tragically, four family members, including two grandchildren, were killed in a Montana helicopter crash in October 2025.

Former Illinois State Senator
Darren Bailey
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Darren Bailey
Born:	17 March 1966 (age 59 years old)
Place of Birth:	Louisville, Illinois, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Lake Land College
Height:	183 cm
Parents:	John Bailey, Mary Bailey
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Cindy Stortzum (m. 1986)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Zachary Bailey
Occupation:	Politician • Farmer
Net Worth:	$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Darren Bailey was born on March 17, 1966, in Louisville, Illinois, a small rural community in Clay County.

He is a third-generation farmer, deeply rooted in the agricultural traditions of Southern Illinois. Bailey is Caucasian and a devout Christian, with his faith being a cornerstone of his personal and public life, often emphasizing his commitment to “faith, family, and farming.”

He was raised by his parents, John Bailey and Mary Bailey, in a close-knit farming family that instilled values of hard work, community, and faith. Public records do not provide details about siblings, but his upbringing in rural Illinois centered around the family farm, shaping his conservative worldview and dedication to agricultural life.

For education, Bailey attended Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Agricultural Production. This degree equipped him to continue the family farming legacy, which he now operates with his sons.

His early life, grounded in the rural values of Louisville and supported by his parents’ guidance, remains a defining influence on his identity and political platform.

Career

Darren Bailey, born on March 17, 1966, in Louisville, Illinois, has built a life and career grounded in agriculture, education, faith, and conservative politics.

A third-generation farmer, he operates his family farm in Clay County with his sons and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Agricultural Production from Lake Land College.

Farming remains at the core of his identity and fuels his commitment to the values he often summarizes as “faith, family, and farming.” He has consistently advocated for rural communities and agricultural interests throughout his political journey.

Before entering state politics, Bailey spent 17 years on the North Clay school board—12 of those as president—and co-founded Full Armor Christian Academy in Louisville with his wife, Cindy, demonstrating his dedication to faith-based education. He has also been active in community organizations like Rotary and the Gideons, further rooting himself in Southern Illinois civic life.

Bailey’s political career began in 2018 when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives for the 109th District. In 2020, he moved on to serve in the Illinois State Senate, representing the 55th District until 2023.

Known for his strong conservative positions, he drew national attention in 2020 by suing Governor J.B. Pritzker over COVID-19 restrictions and refusing to wear a mask during legislative sessions, citing personal freedoms.

In 2022, Bailey secured the Republican nomination for governor of Illinois, running on a platform of tax cuts, reduced government spending, and opposition to pandemic mandates, though he lost to incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker.

As of 2025, he is once again campaigning—this time for the Republican nomination in the March 17, 2026, gubernatorial primary—continuing to advocate for rural Illinois, conservative values, and the principles that have shaped his life.

Social Media

• Facebook: Darren Bailey
• IMDb: Darren Bailey
• Twitter: Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) / X

Personal Life

Darren Bailey, born on March 17, 1966, is currently 59 years old. He stands at an estimated height of 6 feet (183 cm), though he rarely discusses physical attributes publicly, focusing instead on his rural roots and family values.

Bailey has been married to his wife, Cindy Stortzum Bailey, for over 39 years since their wedding in 1986, and the couple shares a deep commitment rooted in their shared Christian faith. They live by the motto “faith, family, and farming,” and together they co-founded Full Armor Christian Academy, a private Christian school in Louisville, Illinois.

The Baileys have four adult children, all of whom are married, though the names of three remain private in public records. Their son Zachary Bailey, a pilot and farmer who assisted in the family business, tragically passed away on October 22, 2025, along with his wife, Kelsey Bailey, and two of their children in a helicopter crash in Ekalaka, Montana.

The couple leaves behind their third child, 10-year-old Finn Bailey, who was not aboard the aircraft. Prior to the accident, the Baileys were proud grandparents to 13 grandchildren, a number frequently highlighted in Bailey‘s political campaigns as a testament to his family-oriented life.

Among them were the late Vada Rose Bailey, age 12, and Samuel Bailey, age 7, who perished in the crash with their parents. The surviving grandchildren, including Finn and the other 10, continue to be a source of strength for Darren and Cindy amid their profound grief.

Net Worth

Darren Bailey, the Illinois Republican politician and third-generation farmer, has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million, according to tax returns he released during his gubernatorial campaign.

This figure is primarily derived from his extensive farming operations in southern Illinois, which span thousands of acres and include crop dusting services using helicopters, along with fluctuating agricultural subsidies and business interests.

Recent estimates in 2025 continue to align with this valuation, though some sources suggest variations up to $8-10 million based on undisclosed assets.

His income has shown significant yearly fluctuations, reflecting the volatility of farming, but overall, it underscores his financial stability as a rural entrepreneur and public servant. No updated disclosures have been made public following the October 2025 family tragedy.