Few figures in American public life have traveled as far — from the cabinet room to the Facebook feed — as Robert Reich. The former U.S. Secretary of Labor has spent the past decade transforming into one of the most visible progressive educators on social media, pulling back the curtain on how power and money shape the economy. If you’ve ever wondered about his health, his net worth, or exactly why he believes the rich keep getting richer, this guide connects the dots.

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Age as of 2025: 78 · Years in Public Service: over 50 · Books Published: more than 20 · Academic Title: Professor of Public Policy, UC Berkeley · Former Role: U.S. Secretary of Labor (1993-1997) · Political Affiliation: Democratic

Quick snapshot

1Biography
2Health
3Political Views
  • Progressive Democrat (UC Berkeley Research)
  • Critic of corporate influence (UC Berkeley Research)
  • Advocate for inequality reduction (UC Berkeley Research)
  • Frequent Trump critic (UC Berkeley Research)
4Media Presence
  • Large Facebook following (millions)
  • Documentaries and explainer videos
  • Regular contributor to The Guardian and other outlets

Eight facts about Robert Reich, one pattern: a career that bridges elite policy-making and grassroots activism.

This influence table captures the key biographical data points that define Reich’s public profile.

Label Value
Full Name Robert Bernard Reich
Date of Birth June 14, 1946
Place of Birth Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA
Education Dartmouth College (BA), Oxford University (MA), Yale University (JD)
Spouse Perian Flaherty (current, married 2014); previous marriage to Clare Dalton
Net Worth Estimated $1–2 million (as per multiple estimates)
Height Approximately 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm)
Religion Jewish

What condition does Robert Reich have?

Official diagnosis and public disclosure

  • Reich has publicly acknowledged a medical condition but has not disclosed full diagnostic details. UC Berkeley’s faculty page notes he continues to teach and publish actively.

How the condition affects his work and public appearances

  • He remains a frequent speaker, prolific author, and daily social media commentator. The condition reportedly does not limit his ability to produce content or engage with audiences.
The upshot

For a public figure who has spent decades in the spotlight, Reich’s choice to acknowledge his condition without oversharing is itself a statement: he wants the focus on his ideas, not his health.

The implication: While exact medical details remain private, the available evidence points to a manageable condition that allows Reich to maintain his rigorous public schedule.

What did Robert Reich say about Trump?

General critiques and warnings

  • Reich has called Trump “a threat to democracy” in multiple Facebook posts and editorial pieces. He argues that Trump’s rhetoric normalizes authoritarianism and undermines trust in institutions.

Specific statements on policy and character

  • In a 2024 Facebook post, Reich described Trump’s economic agenda as “a giveaway to the richest Americans” that would widen the inequality gap. The Guardian (major UK news outlet) has published his regular columns on this theme.
Why this matters

Reich’s critique is grounded in his own experience as Labor Secretary during the 1990s – he saw firsthand how policy choices affect working families, and he uses that authority to frame Trump’s proposals as a step backward.

The pattern: Reich’s commentary on Trump consistently ties back to structural inequality, rarely focusing on personality alone.

Why are the rich getting richer according to Robert Reich?

Key arguments from ‘Why the Rich Are Getting Richer’

  • Reich’s central thesis: the rich get richer not because they work harder, but because they have rigged the rules of the game. In his book Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few, he argues that tax cuts for the wealthy, deregulation, and the decline of unions have concentrated income at the top. UC Berkeley Research lists this book among his major works.

Role of corporate power and policy

  • He points to the influence of corporate lobbying on legislation that benefits shareholders over workers, a pattern he documented in The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It (2020).

Impact on the middle class

  • Reich argues that the middle class has been squeezed by stagnant wages and rising costs, while the wealthy benefit from asset inflation. He calls for a “new bargain” that restores bargaining power to workers.
Bottom line: Reich’s inequality thesis is not just academic – it’s a call to action for voters and policymakers. Progressives should treat this as a roadmap; skeptics should examine the data he cites from official sources.

The trade-off: Reich’s solutions (higher taxes on the rich, stronger unions, tighter regulation) would likely reduce inequality but could slow short-term capital growth.

What is Robert Reich’s biography and career timeline?

Early life and education

  • Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on June 14, 1946. Miller Center (presidential history archive) states he graduated from Dartmouth College in 1968, earned a master’s degree from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar (1968-1970), and a law degree from Yale Law School in 1973.

Government roles and Clinton administration

  • Reich served as an assistant to the Solicitor General in the Ford Administration and on the policy planning staff of the Federal Trade Commission under President Carter, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. He was U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1993 to 1997 under President Bill Clinton.

Academic career at Harvard and UC Berkeley

  • Before his cabinet role, Reich taught at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Since 2006, he has been a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is now professor emeritus. UC Berkeley Research also notes he co-founded the Economic Policy Institute, The American Prospect, and Inequality Media.

Media and social media presence

  • Reich produces short explanatory videos that have amassed millions of views on Facebook and YouTube. He also hosts a podcast and writes a regular column for The Guardian.

The timeline: from Scranton to the cabinet to Berkeley – a career that consistently crossed the boundary between theory and practice.

Timeline signal

  • 1946 – Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
  • 1968 – Graduated from Dartmouth College.
  • 1973 – Earned J.D. from Yale Law School.
  • 1977-1981 – Director of policy planning for the Federal Trade Commission.
  • 1993-1997 – U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton.
  • 2006-present – Professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.
  • 2008 – Keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention.
  • 2010 – Published Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future.
  • 2015 – Published Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few.
  • 2020 – Released documentary Saving Capitalism; increased social media activity.
  • 2024 – Active commentator on the 2024 presidential election.

What is Robert Reich’s net worth and personal background?

Net worth estimate

  • Estimates of Reich’s net worth vary. Multiple sources place it between $1 million and $2 million, based on his book royalties, speaking fees, and university salary. No public financial disclosure exists for his recent years.

Height and physical attributes

  • Reich stands approximately 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) tall. While this is often noted in media profiles, it does not appear in any official biography from UC Berkeley or the Department of Labor.

Marital status and family

  • Reich married Perian Flaherty in 2014. He was previously married to Clare Dalton, with whom he has two children. His current spouse is known from public records.

Religious views

  • Reich identifies as Jewish. He has written about his Jewish heritage and its influence on his commitment to social justice. The Guardian (major UK news outlet) has published his reflections on faith and politics.
The catch

While net worth figures are widely circulated, Reich’s own salary as a public servant and professor suggests he is comfortable but not exceptionally wealthy – a fact that aligns with his critique of extreme riches.

The pattern: Reich’s personal background – short stature, Jewish identity, multiple marriages – is often used to humanize him, but it also feeds curiosity from the public.

What’s clear and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Robert Reich served as U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1993 to 1997 (Miller Center).
  • He is a professor of public policy at UC Berkeley (UC Berkeley Research).
  • He has published over 20 books (Penguin Random House).
  • He is a prominent progressive commentator and critic of Donald Trump.
  • He has spoken publicly about a medical condition (UC Berkeley Research).

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth is not publicly verified to a precise number due to fluctuating assets.
  • The full medical details of his condition are private and not comprehensively documented.
  • His exact height is not officially recorded in any government or university bio.

Quotes from Robert Reich and contemporaries

“The rich get richer because they write the rules that let them get richer.”

Robert Reich, in a 2023 interview with The Guardian (major UK news outlet)

“Bob Reich was the most energetic and creative Labor Secretary in decades. He brought a vision to the department that still resonates.”

Bill Clinton, from his autobiography, as recalled by Miller Center (presidential history archive)

“Trump is not a symptom of our problems; he is a consequence of a system that has been rigged for decades.”

Robert Reich, in a 2024 Facebook post

The through line: Reich’s own words and the words of those who worked with him paint a picture of a man who has always been ahead of the curve on inequality.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, celebritynetworth.com, simple.wikipedia.org, encyclopedia.com, youtube.com, influencewatch.org, discoverthenetworks.org

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Frequently asked questions

Is Robert Reich still teaching at UC Berkeley?

Yes, he is professor emeritus of public policy at UC Berkeley, though he retired from full-time teaching. He still gives lectures and participates in campus events. UC Berkeley Research confirms his emeritus status.

Has Robert Reich ever run for elected office?

No, he has never run for office. He has been a candidate for appointed positions and has served in three administrations (Ford, Carter, Clinton).

How did Robert Reich become a public political commentator?

After leaving the Clinton administration, he turned to writing and teaching. The rise of social media allowed him to reach a mass audience, and his short explainer videos on economic inequality went viral.

What is Robert Reich’s main argument about capitalism?

He argues that modern capitalism is “rigged” in favor of the wealthy and corporations, and that it needs to be reformed to serve the many, not the few. His book Saving Capitalism lays out this argument in detail. UC Berkeley Research lists this book.

Did Robert Reich work in the Obama administration?

No, he did not hold a formal role in the Obama administration. He served as an informal advisor and was a vocal supporter of Obama’s economic policies.

What is the title of Robert Reich’s latest book?

As of 2025, his most recent full-length book is The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It (2020). He continues to publish essays and shorter works. UC Berkeley Research lists this title.

Where does Robert Reich get his news and information?

Reich has stated that he reads a wide range of sources, including major newspapers like The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic journals. He often cites data from the Economic Policy Institute.

Related reading: Robert Reich books and policy views · Robert Reich biography and career timeline