Rachel Levine Biography 2026: Age, Career, Net Worth, Transgender Trailblazer, Family & Health Leadership
Rachel Levine serves as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A pediatrician and four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, she made history in 2021 as the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate. Her work spans adolescent medicine, eating disorders, LGBTQ+ health equity, and the federal COVID-19 response.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Rachel L. Levine |
|---|---|
| Nick Name | Dr. Levine |
| Profession | Pediatrician, Public Health Official, Admiral (USPHS) |
| Birth Date | October 28, 1957 |
| Age | 68 years 11 months old |
| Birth Place | Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | First openly transgender Senate-confirmed federal official; Assistant Secretary for Health |
| Ethnicity | Jewish-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Height & Weight | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm); approx. 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Qualification | BA Harvard College (1979); MD Tulane University School of Medicine (1983) |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Martha Peaslee Levine (m. 1988–2013) |
| Children | Two (David and Rebecca) |
| Family Tree | Parents: Melvin and Natalie Levine; Siblings: One sister |
| Hobbies | Reading, walking, classical music, cooking |
| Current Work | Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS (2021–present) |
| Years Active | 1983–present |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5–2 million (2026) |
Other prominent public health figures in 2026 include Dr. Mandy Cohen (CDC Director), Dr. Vivek Murthy (Surgeon General), and Dr. Ashish Jha (former White House COVID Coordinator).
Early Life & Education
Birth and Family Background
Rachel Levine was born on October 28, 1957, in Wakefield, Massachusetts, a suburb north of Boston. Her father, Melvin Levine, worked as an attorney. Her mother, Natalie Levine, was a homemaker active in community organizations. Rachel grew up alongside one sister in a Jewish household that valued education and public service.
Schooling in Massachusetts
She attended Belmont Hill School, an all-boys preparatory school in Belmont, Massachusetts, graduating in 1975. The single-sex environment shaped her early understanding of gender, a theme that would resurface decades later. Classmates recall her as academically driven and quiet, with a strong interest in biology.
Harvard College
Levine enrolled at Harvard College in 1975. She majored in biology and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in 1979. During these years, she began volunteering at Boston Children’s Hospital, an experience that cemented her desire to pursue pediatrics.
Medical School at Tulane
In 1979, Levine entered Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1983. Medical school exposed her to the HIV/AIDS crisis unfolding in the 1980s, which influenced her later advocacy for marginalized populations. She completed a pediatrics residency and a fellowship in adolescent medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Career Journey
Early Medical Practice (1983–2015)
After finishing training, Levine joined the faculty at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She founded the adolescent medicine division and the eating disorders program at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Her clinical work focused on teenagers struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and gender dysphoria. She published research on adolescent health and became a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry.
Pennsylvania Physician General (2015–2017)
Governor Tom Wolf appointed Levine as Pennsylvania’s Physician General in 2015. She led the state’s response to the opioid crisis, issuing a standing order for naloxone that allowed pharmacists to dispense the overdose-reversal drug without an individual prescription. The policy saved thousands of lives and became a national model.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health (2017–2021)
In 2017, Levine became Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania. She managed a $2 billion budget and 1,300 employees. Her tenure included the 2019 hepatitis A outbreak response and the early COVID-19 pandemic. She implemented mitigation orders, expanded testing, and prioritized long-term care facilities. Her daily briefings made her a familiar face statewide.
Assistant Secretary for Health (2021–Present)
President Joe Biden nominated Levine for Assistant Secretary for Health in January 2021. The Senate confirmed her 52–48 on March 24, 2021. She oversees the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the Office of the Surgeon General, and key public health offices. In October 2021, she was sworn in as a four-star admiral, becoming the first openly transgender four-star officer in any U.S. uniformed service.
2024–2026 Priorities
During 2024 and 2025, Levine focused on long COVID research, youth mental health, and health equity for LGBTQ+ communities. In 2026, she launched a federal initiative addressing maternal mortality disparities among Black and Indigenous women. She also testified before Congress on pandemic preparedness and the opioid epidemic.
Career Milestones
- 1983: MD from Tulane University School of Medicine
- 1994: Founded adolescent medicine division at Penn State Hershey
- 2015: Appointed Pennsylvania Physician General
- 2017: Named Pennsylvania Secretary of Health
- March 2021: Senate confirmation as Assistant Secretary for Health
- October 2021: Sworn in as four-star admiral, USPHS Commissioned Corps
- 2022: Released federal long COVID research action plan
- 2024: Led HHS youth mental health summit
- 2026: Launched maternal mortality equity initiative
Personal Life
Marriage and Family
Levine married Martha Peaslee Levine, a psychiatrist and fellow Penn State faculty member, in 1988. They have two children: David, born in 1990, and Rebecca, born in 1994. The couple divorced in 2013 after 25 years of marriage. Both children maintain close relationships with their parents.
Gender Transition
Levine began her gender transition in 2011 at age 53, after decades of private struggle. She came out to colleagues and family gradually. Her transition was public by 2015 when she assumed the Physician General role. She has spoken about the importance of family support, crediting her ex-wife and children for their acceptance.
Hobbies and Interests
Levine enjoys reading historical biographies, walking along the Potomac River, and listening to classical piano. She plays piano casually and has mentioned cooking traditional Jewish dishes for holidays. Colleagues describe her as reserved but warm in small groups.
Community Involvement
She serves on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality and advises several LGBTQ+ youth organizations. She speaks at medical schools about gender-affirming care and mentors transgender medical students.
Awards & Achievements
- 2021: Time 100 Most Influential People
- 2021: USA Today Women of the Year
- 2022: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Distinguished Service Award
- 2022: American Pediatric Society John Howland Award
- 2023: National Center for Transgender Equality Leadership Award
- 2024: Harvard College Alumni Public Service Award
- 2025: Tulane University Distinguished Alumnus Award
- 2026: American Public Health Association Sedgwick Memorial Medal
Physical Statistics
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Build | Average |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Shoe Size | US 9 (EU 40) |
| Dress Size | US 12 |
Quotes
“Health equity means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. That includes transgender youth, rural communities, and people of color.”
— Rachel Levine, HHS Youth Mental Health Summit, 2024
“My transition didn’t change my competence as a physician. It made me more compassionate.”
— Rachel Levine, Washington Post interview, 2022
“Public health is not politics. It’s science, service, and showing up for people when they need it most.”
— Rachel Levine, Senate confirmation hearing, 2021
Controversies
COVID-19 Mitigation Orders
As Pennsylvania Health Secretary, Levine’s 2020 mitigation orders — including business closures and gathering limits — drew lawsuits from Republican legislators and business groups. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ultimately upheld her authority in a 2021 ruling.
Nursing Home Directive
Critics questioned a March 2020 directive requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients discharged from hospitals. Levine defended the policy as consistent with CDC guidance at the time. An independent 2022 review found no evidence of intentional harm but noted communication gaps.
Gender-Affirming Care Debates
Since 2021, Levine has faced coordinated attacks from anti-trans groups and some Republican lawmakers regarding her support for gender-affirming care for minors. She has consistently cited major medical association guidelines and declined to engage in political debates, emphasizing evidence-based practice.
Favorites
| Book | The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot |
|---|---|
| Author | Doris Kearns Goodwin |
| Music | Bach cello suites (Yo-Yo Ma recordings) |
| Food | Matzo ball soup, latkes |
| Place | Cape Cod, Massachusetts |
| Historical Figure | Frances Perkins (first female Cabinet secretary) |
Earnings
Federal Salary
As Assistant Secretary for Health, Levine earns Executive Schedule Level IV pay, set at $183,100 annually in 2026. Her four-star admiral rank in the USPHS Commissioned Corps carries equivalent military pay and benefits.
Previous Earnings
As Pennsylvania Secretary of Health (2017–2021), she earned approximately $165,000 per year. Her academic salary at Penn State prior to 2015 was roughly $280,000 including clinical revenue.
Net Worth Estimate (2026)
Combining federal salary, retirement contributions, real estate in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and modest investments, Levine’s net worth is estimated between $1.5 and $2 million. She does not hold corporate board seats or commercial endorsements.
Interesting Facts
- Levine is the highest-ranking openly transgender official in U.S. history.
- She carried the Olympic torch for the 2002 Salt Lake City Games through Hershey, Pennsylvania.
- Her naloxone standing order has been replicated in all 50 states.
- She played violin in her youth and still attends Philadelphia Orchestra concerts.
- Levine’s great-grandparents immigrated from Lithuania and Poland in the 1890s.
- She has a cameo in the 2023 documentary Transhood discussing adolescent care.
- Her first published paper (1987) examined growth patterns in adolescents with anorexia.
- She declined a 2024 invitation to run for U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania.
Did You Know?
- Levine’s confirmation vote (52–48) was the closest for an HHS Assistant Secretary in 30 years.
- She is one of only two four-star admirals in the USPHS Commissioned Corps as of 2026.
- Her portrait hangs in the Pennsylvania State Capitol alongside previous health secretaries.
- She once treated a patient who later became a state legislator — they reconnected during a 2020 hearing.
- Levine’s mother, Natalie, lived to see her daughter’s Senate confirmation at age 94.
Social Media Links
- Twitter/X: @ASH_Health (Official HHS account)
- LinkedIn: Rachel Levine, MD
- HHS Official Biography
- U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rachel Levine in 2026?
Rachel Levine is 68 years old in 2026. She was born on October 28, 1957.
What is Rachel Levine’s current role?
She serves as the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a position she has held since March 2021.
Is Rachel Levine transgender?
Yes. Levine came out as a transgender woman in 2011 and transitioned publicly while serving as Pennsylvania’s Physician General. She is the first openly transgender Senate-confirmed federal official.
What is Rachel Levine’s net worth?
As of 2026, her estimated net worth is between $1.5 and $2 million, derived from her federal salary, academic career earnings, retirement accounts, and real estate.
Who is Rachel Levine’s spouse?
Levine was married to Dr. Martha Peaslee Levine from 1988 until their divorce in 2013. They have two adult children together.
What are Rachel Levine’s major achievements?
Key achievements include Pennsylvania’s naloxone standing order, leading the state’s COVID-19 response, historic Senate confirmation as Assistant Secretary for Health, and becoming the first openly transgender four-star admiral in U.S. uniformed services.
Conclusion
Rachel Levine’s career reflects a steady commitment to public health, from treating adolescents with eating disorders to steering federal policy in 2026. Her historic confirmation opened a door that remains open. As she continues addressing long COVID, youth mental health, and maternal mortality, her impact extends beyond any single identity. Share this profile if you found it informative.
