Phone: (512) 447-2112
Address: 2204 Willow St, Austin, Texas, USA
Email: [email protected]
Kathy Hochul's net worth reaches about $2 million in 2025. She ranks among America's wealthiest governors. The governor and her husband pulled in a combined income of nearly $1.9 million in 2023. Their earnings dipped to about $1.5 million in 2024.
Governor Hochul takes home $250,000 yearly, which puts her among the highest-paid governors in the nation. Her husband William Hochul plays a major role in their family's wealth. He earned $1,467,116 at Delaware North in 2023.
Later, he moved to Davis Polk where he made $949,946 in 2024. The governor's investment portfolio includes stakes in major companies. She owns stocks in Alphabet, Pepsi, Costco, Microsoft, and BlackRock.
In this piece, we'll dive into the complete story behind the governor's wealth. We'll look at her income sources, investment choices, and property holdings that add up to her multimillion-dollar net worth.
Kathy Hochul’s Net Worth in 2025: The Full Picture
Governor Hochul's wealth has grown quite a bit in recent years. Her net worth stands at about $2 million in 2025, showing steady growth from earlier years. This financial growth aligns with her rise to New York's top position after Andrew Cuomo stepped down in 2021.
Estimated net worth and how it compares to past years
The governor's wealth tells an interesting story since she took office. Her personal net worth stays steady at $2 million, but her family's income shows more movement.
The Hochul family earned about $1.9 million together in 2023. Their earnings dropped to around $1.5 million in 2024. This change happened mainly because her husband William switched jobs from Delaware North to Davis Polk.
Her net worth was much lower before she became governor. Financial records show she was worth between $800,000 and $1 million as lieutenant governor. This jump shows how high-level political roles often lead to better financial opportunities and investment choices.
The Hochuls spread their money across different investments, which helped build their wealth. Their investment approach changed as they earned more, letting them buy more stocks and property.
How her financial profile compares to other US governors
Hochul's financial standing among U.S. governors is noteworthy. Her $2 million net worth puts her above the middle range for state governors, yet she's nowhere near the richest. Some governors, especially those from business backgrounds, are worth much more—this is a big deal as it means that some exceed $100 million.
Her yearly salary of $250,000 as New York's governor ranks among the highest in the country. This amount is way above the national average of $145,000 for state governors. Just a few states—including California and Pennsylvania—pay their governors similar or higher amounts.
Hochul's financial story stands out because of her husband's big contribution to their income. Most governors either have spouses who earn less or are the main earners themselves. This two-high-earner setup isn't common among governors.
Her path to wealth differs from many other wealthy governors. Instead of making their fortune before entering politics, Hochul's wealth grew step by step throughout her political career. This sets her apart from many other governors across the country.
Where Her Money Comes From
Kathy Hochul and her husband make their money from several sources. Their combined earnings have built up a multimillion-dollar net worth.
Salary as Governor of New York
The life-blood of Kathy Hochul's personal income flows from her role as governor. She makes $259,804 as New York's chief executive in 2024, which is a bit more than her base salary of $250,000. She ranks among America's highest-paid governors.
Her pay is a big deal as it means that she earns more than other top New York officials. The Lieutenant Governor makes $210,000 and the Attorney General earns $220,000.
Previous political roles and earnings
Hochul's income was good but not as high before she became governor. Tax records don't show exact numbers from her time as lieutenant governor. The family's federal gross income shot up to $912,179 in 2021 after she took over as governor. They reported even more in 2022, reaching $984,250.
William Hochul's income and career trajectory
The governor's husband brings home most of their household income. William Hochul's career change in 2023-2024 shows some interesting numbers about executive pay. He made $650,375 at Delaware North in 2022. His earnings jumped to $1.47 million in 2023 even though he left in August that year. The big increase came from "a series of bonuses and other compensation" that executives often get when they leave.
He then joined Davis Polk law firm and earned $949,946 in 2024. His earlier work included time as a federal prosecutor in Western New York. He also taught part-time at the University at Buffalo School of Law, which paid him $3,500.
Pension and deferred payments
The Hochuls' money comes from more than just their jobs. William got $96,773 in deferred payments from Delaware North in 2024. He also gets $47,733 each year from his federal prosecutor pension. Investment dividends brought in $43,292 in 2023. These different income streams are the foundations of their growing wealth.
Investments and Stock Holdings
The Hochuls' wealth goes beyond their salaries. Their diverse investment portfolio gets more and thus encourages more passive income that adds substantially to their overall net worth.
Companies she and her husband have invested in
The couple puts their money in both individual stocks and managed funds. Financial disclosures show Hochul's previous investments in several fossil fuel companies worth between $30,000 and $119,994.
Their holdings included ExxonMobil, American Electric Power, Dominion Resources, NextEra Energy, Occidental Petroleum, and Schlumberger—each valued between $5,000 and $19,999.
The Hochuls invested in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) among other stocks. They put between $20,000 and $49,999 in the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund, which focuses on oil and gas industry giants like ExxonMobil and Chevron. They managed to keep similar stakes in the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund and the Gabelli ABC Fund.
Dividends and interest income
Their investment portfolio created substantial passive income. Their 2024 tax returns showed $43,724 in dividends and $70,047 in interest. This marked a notable jump from their previous year's interest income of $18,756.
How their investment strategy has evolved
The Hochuls' approach to investing matured with their growing income. Their portfolio shows a transformation from heavy fossil fuel investments to more diverse holdings. This change lines up with broader political factors, especially after Governor Cuomo urged the New York State Common Retirement Fund to move away from fossil fuels in late 2017.
Their portfolio management looks like other high-profile politicians who face growing scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest. Recent congressional stock trading debates show how much public attention political figures' investments receive—something the Hochuls likely think over in their financial planning.
Real Estate and Property Assets
Kathy Hochul's net worth largely comes from her real estate holdings. She owns multiple properties in different locations that have grown more valuable over time.
Primary residence in Buffalo, NY
The governor and her husband William bought their main home – a waterfront condo in Buffalo – for $485,000 in 2013. Their two-floor unit has nearly 3,000 square feet with three bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms. The property's expansive living area features a wood-burning fireplace.
A formal dining room with wet bar provides water views, while the spacious primary bedroom includes an en-suite and den. Hochul moved here after selling her family's longtime Hamburg, NY home for $260,000.
Other known properties and their estimated value
The Hochuls own another three-bedroom waterfront condo next to their main Buffalo residence. They bought it in the same year for about $400,000. Their portfolio also includes a vacation property in Bumpass, Virginia. They paid $635,000 cash for this one-acre property in 2008. The governor has rented a modest apartment in Midtown East Manhattan lately, close to her Third Avenue office.
How real estate contributes to her net worth
These properties make up about $1.5 million of the Hochuls' investment portfolio and represent much of their overall wealth.
Conclusion
Kathy Hochul's net worth stands at approximately $2 million in 2025, making her one of America's wealthier governors, though definitely not the richest.
Her financial portfolio combines several essential elements: a $250,000 gubernatorial salary, her husband William's substantial income (which dropped from $1.47 million to $949,946 after his job transition), their stock investments in various sectors, and valuable real estate holdings across multiple properties.
The Hochuls' financial success stems from their unique position as dual high-earners. Governor Hochul leads a household where both partners earn impressive salaries, pension benefits, and investment returns. Their wealth has grown steadily since she took New York's highest office in 2021.
Smart financial planning shows in their investment approach. The couple has developed a portfolio with individual stocks in major companies and carefully selected ETFs. This strategy generates substantial passive income through dividends and interest.
Their real estate holdings add another dimension to their wealth. These properties include waterfront homes in Buffalo and a Virginia vacation home, which together make up nearly $1.5 million of their total assets.
Governor Hochul's path to wealth differs from many other governors. She and her husband built their millionaire status gradually through combined high-level professional incomes, smart investments, and appreciating real estate.
This approach places them comfortably among America's political elite. Yet their financial profile remains relatively modest compared to the nation's wealthiest state executives.
FAQs
Q1. What is Kathy Hochul's annual salary as Governor of New York?
Kathy Hochul earns $250,000 annually as the Governor of New York, making her one of the highest-paid governors in the United States.
Q2. Where does Kathy Hochul currently reside?
Kathy Hochul's primary residence is a waterfront condo in Buffalo, New York, which she purchased with her husband in 2013 for $485,000. She also maintains a modest apartment in Midtown East Manhattan for work purposes.
Q3. How does Kathy Hochul's net worth compare to other US governors?
With a net worth of approximately $2 million in 2025, Kathy Hochul is above the median for state governors but far from the wealthiest. Her financial profile is distinguished by the substantial contribution from her husband's income.
Q4. What are the main sources of Kathy Hochul's wealth?
Kathy Hochul's wealth comes from multiple sources, including her gubernatorial salary, her husband William's high income, diverse stock investments, and valuable real estate holdings across multiple properties.
Q5. How has Kathy Hochul's investment strategy evolved over time?
The Hochuls' investment approach has matured as their income increased. They've transitioned from heavy fossil fuel investments toward a more diversified portfolio, including stocks in major companies and carefully selected ETFs, generating substantial passive income through dividends and interest.
