Elizabeth Dole Current Age and Background
Elizabeth Dole is currently 76 years old, having been born on July 29, 1936, in Salisbury, North Carolina. She is a prominent American politician, public servant, and business leader known for her roles in federal government and nonprofit organizations. Her career spans decades of policy work, advocacy, and corporate governance across multiple sectors. Learn more about her background on Forbes.
Her age and continued public presence reflect a long history of leadership in both the public and private spheres. She has held cabinet-level positions, led major nonprofits, and served on numerous corporate and educational boards. Her biography is frequently cited in discussions about women in leadership and public service.
Career Timeline and Key Roles
Elizabeth Dole served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation under President George H.W. Bush from 1983 to 1987, making her the first woman to head a federal executive department in that role. She later became the U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Ronald Reagan from 1989 to 1990. Her tenure in these positions shaped national policy on infrastructure, safety, and workforce development.
She also served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina from 2003 to 2009. During her Senate term, she focused on health care, education, and veterans' issues. Her leadership extended to the American Red Cross, where she served as president from 1991 to 1999, a period marked by significant organizational growth and disaster response efforts.
Public Service, Boards, and Legacy
Elizabeth Dole founded the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in 2012 to support military caregivers, leveraging her personal connection to veterans through her late husband, former U.S. Senator Bob Dole. The foundation focuses on research, advocacy, and direct support for families caring for post-9/11 veterans. Her work in this area has influenced national conversations about caregiver resources and veterans' welfare.
She has held board positions at major corporations and institutions, including Wells Fargo and the Kettering Foundation. Her corporate governance roles reflect a career built on policy expertise, public trust, and institutional leadership. Her ongoing influence is documented in profiles from Bloomberg and Britannica.