Penny Mordaunt Net Worth: Penny Mordaunt’s estimated net worth is around $4 million, primarily earned through her career in politics.
Early Life of Penny Mordaunt
Penny Mordaunt, born Penelope Mary Mordaunt on March 4, 1973, hails from Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom.
Mordaunt was named after the Arethusa-class cruiser HMS Penelope, adding a touch of naval heritage to her upbringing.
Mordaunt’s father, John Mordaunt, is a former paratrooper, and she has two brothers named James and Edward.
Her father’s military background and subsequent career as a teacher influenced Mordaunt’s early life.
Growing up, she was immersed in an environment that fostered discipline and dedication.
Through her mother, Jennifer (née Snowden), Mordaunt has Irish ancestry, with her family being descendants of Denis and Mary Mordaunt from County Wexford in Ireland during the late 18th century.
Mordaunt’s educational journey began at Oaklands Roman Catholic School Academy in Waterlooville, Hampshire.
She then pursued her passion for drama at the Victoryland Theatre School. However, Mordaunt’s teenage years were marked by personal challenges.
At the age of 15, her mother tragically passed away from breast cancer, thrusting her into the role of primary caregiver for her twin brother, Edward.
The following year, her father was diagnosed with cancer but fortunately made a recovery. Determined to support herself through sixth-form college, Mordaunt worked as a magician’s assistant for Portsmouth magician Will Ayling.
Mordaunt’s exposure to the world of politics can be traced back to her formative years.
During her gap year, she ventured to Romania, a country grappling with the aftermath of the 1989 revolution.
There, she worked in hospitals and orphanages, an experience that left a profound impact on her and fueled her interest in politics.
In 1995, Mordaunt graduated from the University of Reading, where she studied philosophy and achieved upper second-class honours.
Throughout her time at university, Mordaunt was actively involved in student politics and even served as the president of the Reading University Students’ Union.
Mordaunt’s early life experiences, from the influence of her father’s military background to her struggles and the transformative impact of her Romanian journey, have undoubtedly played a role in shaping her political career.
POPULAR: Best Stocks to Buy For Building Long-Term Wealth
Career in Politics
After completing her education, Penny Mordaunt embarked on a career in public relations across various sectors.
She held several notable positions, starting as the Head of Youth for the Conservative Party during Prime Minister John Major’s tenure.
Following this, Mordaunt worked as the Head of Broadcasting for the party under party leader William Hague. Her expertise in communications led her to become a communications specialist for the Freight Transport Association.
In 2000, she briefly served as the Head of Foreign Press for George W. Bush’s presidential campaign, showcasing her international involvement.
From 2001 to 2003, Mordaunt took on the role of director of communications for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
During this period, she established a new Anglo-American website called “virtual conservatives.” Mordaunt’s dedication to political campaigns continued, as she rejoined the Bush campaign in 2004.
In the nonprofit sector, she served as a director at the Community Fund, which later merged with the New Opportunities Fund to create the Big Lottery Fund.
Additionally, Mordaunt became one of six directors at Diabetes UK, a charitable organization, in 2006.
In November 2003, Mordaunt secured the Conservative candidacy for Portsmouth North in the 2005 general election.
Although she experienced a 5.5% swing towards the Conservatives, she narrowly lost to Labour candidate Sarah McCarthy-Fry by 1,139 votes.
Notably, Mordaunt expressed criticism of women-only shortlists during this time.
After the election, she served as the chief of staff for David Willetts’ aborted leadership campaign, showcasing her organizational skills and involvement in party affairs.
Mordaunt made a successful return to politics when she was re-elected in January 2006 as the Conservative candidate for Portsmouth North in the 2010 general election. With an impressive 8.6% swing from Labour, she secured a 7,289-vote majority.
Mordaunt continued her political journey by winning re-election in the 2015, 2017, and 2019 general elections.
During her tenure, she served as a member of the Public Bill Committee for the Defence Reform Act 2014, highlighting her commitment to defence issues.
Throughout her career, Mordaunt has championed various causes and expressed her support for homoeopathy.
She actively signed an early-day motion advocating for continued funding of homoeopathy in the National Health Service.
Mordaunt’s dedication to public service led to her appointment as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Decentralisation from 2014 to 2015, followed by her historic appointment as the first woman to hold the position of Minister of State for the Armed Forces in 2015.
In November 2014, Mordaunt received the Speech of the Year award at The Spectator magazine’s Parliamentarian of the Year Awards.
However, her acceptance speech garnered controversy as she recounted a speech she delivered in the House of Commons, intentionally using the word “cock” as a forfeit for a misdemeanour during Naval Reserve training.
Her comments sparked accusations of trivialising parliament by Labour MP Kate Hoey.
Mordaunt continued to make her mark in Parliament when, in 2014, she became only the second woman during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign to propose a loyal address in response to the Queen’s speech from the throne.
She also referenced Lady Tweedsmuir’s call for increased female involvement in Parliament, highlighting the importance of gender diversity.
In 2014, Mordaunt participated in the reality television program Splash!, which drew some criticism for potentially diverting her focus from constituency work.
However, Mordaunt defended her appearance, stating that the response was overwhelmingly positive.
She further pledged to donate her £10,000 appearance fee and any additional sponsorship to charity, with £7,000 allocated towards the renovation of her local lido and the remaining amount donated to four armed services charities.
Mordaunt’s significant career milestone came on November 9, 2017, when she was appointed Secretary of State for International Development.
This promotion followed the resignation of Priti Patel due to unauthorized meetings with Israeli politicians during her vacation.
As Secretary of State for International Development, Mordaunt had the opportunity to shape and oversee the United Kingdom’s aid policies and programs, contributing to the nation’s global impact.
In February 2018, a scandal involving misconduct by Oxfam staff in Haiti unfolded. Mordaunt expressed her disappointment and criticized Oxfam for its failure in demonstrating “moral leadership” during the scandal.
She emphasized the importance of aid organizations promptly reporting offences and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals.
During the EU membership referendum, Mordaunt openly supported the leave, or Brexit, option. Her stance aligned with those advocating for the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union.
In June 2020, Mordaunt proposed reallocating some Overseas Development Assistance funds to finance a replacement for the Royal Yacht Britannia. Her suggestion sparked a discussion about the appropriate use of aid funds.
Throughout her career, Penny Mordaunt has shown resilience and determination in pursuing her political aspirations.
From her early involvement in the Conservative Party to her roles in public relations and nonprofit organizations, she has amassed a wealth of experience and expertise.
Mordaunt’s commitment to causes such as homoeopathy, defence, and international development has shaped her reputation as a passionate advocate for her constituents and the broader public.
As she continues to serve as a Member of Parliament and holds prominent positions in the government, Mordaunt’s contributions to British politics and society remain noteworthy.
Her ability to navigate various sectors and her determination to make a positive impact demonstrates her continued dedication to public service.
Minister for Women and Equalities
Penny Mordaunt assumed the role of Minister for Women and Equalities in April 2018, succeeding Amber Rudd after her resignation in the aftermath of the Windrush scandal.
Mordaunt’s tenure in this position marked a significant milestone when, in July 2018, she became the first minister to use sign language from the Dispatch Box in the House of Commons.
This notable moment occurred during her announcement about an upcoming Global Disability Conference, and her gesture was met with applause from all sides of the House.
However, Mordaunt faced criticism in March 2019 when anti-trans campaigner Maya Forstater published a newspaper article accusing her of evading questions related to sex and gender during a Mumsnet webchat held on International Women’s Day.
This incident sparked a debate around Mordaunt’s stance on these issues.
Throughout her parliamentary career, Mordaunt has been actively involved in various committees, including the Privacy and Injunctions (Joint Committee), the Defence Committee, the European Scrutiny Committee, and the Committees on Arms Export Controls (formerly known as the Quadripartite Committee).
Her participation in these committees showcases her commitment to addressing crucial matters related to privacy, defence, and international affairs.
Mordaunt’s involvement in promoting women’s rights and advocating for equality, coupled with her dedication to engaging with disability-related issues, highlights her commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Her use of sign language in a parliamentary setting demonstrated her efforts to raise awareness and ensure that individuals with disabilities are heard and represented.
Role as Secretary of State for Defence
Following the dismissal of Gavin Williamson due to an inquiry into a leak regarding Huawei’s limited access to the UK’s 5G network, Penny Mordaunt made history on May 1, 2019, as the first woman to be appointed as the Secretary of State for Defence.
However, her tenure in this role was short-lived as she left the government on July 24, 2019, after Boris Johnson assumed the position of Prime Minister.
In a cabinet reshuffle in February 2020, Mordaunt made a return to the government and took on the role of Paymaster General in the Cabinet Office, succeeding Oliver Dowden.
Additionally, she served as the UK alternate co-chair of the EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, contributing to critical discussions on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
During the 2021 cabinet reshuffle, Mordaunt’s portfolio expanded as she was appointed as the Minister of State for Trade Policy, reflecting her expertise in international trade matters.
Notably, she remains a unique figure in the political landscape as the only female Member of Parliament who is also a Royal Naval Reservist, highlighting her commitment to both public service and defence-related responsibilities.
Personal Life
Penny Mordaunt’s first marriage was to Paul Murray in 1999, but unfortunately, the relationship ended in divorce the following year.
She met Murray while they were both mature students at Reading University. Following her divorce, Mordaunt entered into a long-term relationship with Ian Lyon, a classical singer.
As of mid-2022, Penny Mordaunt remains unmarried. However, she continues to lead a fulfilling and active life.
In addition to her political career, Mordaunt serves as an acting Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserves, stationed at HMS King Alfred on Whale Island.
Her dedication to public service extends beyond politics, as she is involved in various organizations and associations.
She has been recognized for her contributions and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Mordaunt is also a member of the British Astronomical Association and has served as the chair of the Wymering Manor Trust since 2013.
Penny Mordaunt is active on Instagram. Her account @pennymordauntofficial boasts 49.5k followers as of July 2023.
Penny Mordaunt Net Worth
Penny Mordaunt’s estimated net worth is approximately $4 million.
Her primary source of income is her successful career as a politician.
With an annual salary exceeding $1 million, Mordaunt has established herself as one of the wealthiest and most influential politicians in the United Kingdom.
Summary
Penny Mordaunt is a prominent British politician who has held various key positions within the government, including Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities.
She has also served as the Secretary of State for Defence for a brief period.
Mordaunt’s estimated net worth is around $4 million, primarily earned through her career in politics.
With her wealth of experience and strong convictions, Penny Mordaunt continues to play an influential role in shaping the political landscape of the United Kingdom.
POPULAR: Nadine Dorries Net Worth 2023: What Is Nadine Dorries’ Net Worth?
