Monica Crowley’s net worth has become a topic of interest among those who follow American politics and media. Known as an influential conservative political commentator, author, and former government official, Crowley has built her wealth through years of work in television, publishing, and public service. From her early media days at Fox News to her role at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Monica Crowley’s income and career milestones show how dedication and adaptability can shape long-term financial success.
Quick Answer: Monica Crowley’s Net Worth (estimate)
As of 2025, the estimated net worth of Monica Crowley is about USD 4 million. This figure reflects her career earnings across media, publishing, and government service rather than a single income source.
How We Calculated That Estimate
To arrive at the net worth estimate, we considered multiple factors. We reviewed reported salary levels from her government appointments, earnings from her media career, income from book royalties, and possible speaking fees or consulting work. Because she has held high-profile positions in the U.S. government and major media outlets, the estimate is grounded in public data such as her role as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and her Executive Schedule Level IV salary. That said, because not all income streams are publicly disclosed, this remains an estimate rather than a precise number.
Main Income Sources (breakdown)
Here’s how her wealth has been built through various streams:
- Media & commentary work: Monica Crowley’s income includes earnings from her time as a Fox News contributor, her nationally syndicated radio show (The Monica Crowley Show), and writing for publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times and The New York Post.
- Publishing & royalties: Her books include Nixon Off the Record, Nixon in Winter, and What the (Bleep) Just Happened? — generate income via advances and ongoing royalties. These add to her overall income from authorship.
- Government salary & public-service roles: Her compensation from government appointments contributes a steady baseline to her wealth (more detail below).
- Speaking engagements and consulting: While exact numbers are not always publicly recorded, her profile as an American conservative commentator and former high-level official likely enables event speaking fees and consulting opportunities.
- Other media-to-government transition benefits: Her shift from a Fox News personality and radio host into senior public-service roles has supported her career achievements and income diversification.
Salary and Government Pay (what she earned in public roles)
In her government roles, Monica Crowley’s salary and official compensation are more transparent:
- From July 2019 to January 2021 she served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
- As of May 30, 2025, she assumed the role of Chief of Protocol of the United States (a senior appointment under the U.S. Department of State).
- That position is classified at Executive Schedule Level IV, which in January 2025 paid about USD 195,200 annually. These salary levels form part of her official income, though they do not account for variable income from media or book royalties.
Media Career: TV, Radio, Columns
Monica Crowley’s media career is a foundational part of her wealth profile:
She began her public career working with former President Richard Nixon as a research assistant and advisor after her studies. She later joined Fox News as a foreign affairs and political analyst and became a regular face in American politics and media. She also hosted her own radio program, The Monica Crowley Show, and wrote opinion columns for major publications. These roles established her reputation as a conservative commentator and helped build her brand and income stream.
Books, Royalties and Publishing
Her work as an author and academic adds another dimension to her income:
Monica Crowley published Nixon Off the Record and Nixon in Winter, both drawing on her collaboration with Richard Nixon and her interest in foreign policy. In 2012 she released What the (Bleep) Just Happened?, which further cemented her reputation as a conservative political voice. Royalties from these books, potential future editions and related speaking events all contribute to her wealth. While exact numbers are not publicly disclosed, book income is a meaningful component.
Government Service & Consulting (appointments and fees)
Monica Crowley’s shift from media to government marks a significant career transition and income source:
In December 2016 she was nominated by Donald J. Trump for a senior communications role on the National Security Council but withdrew due to a plagiarism controversy. In 2019 she became Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Treasury Department. In December 2024 she was nominated to serve as Ambassador, Assistant Secretary of State, and Chief of Protocol of the United States. These roles reflect her public service career and help explain her income from government appointments and consulting capacity in foreign-policy and public-affairs communications.
Controversies and Their Financial / Reputation Impact
Like many public figures, Crowley’s career has included controversies that impacted her reputation and potentially her income path:
In early 2017 reports emerged that Crowley’s 2012 book and parts of her doctoral dissertation included instances of plagiarism. The so-called plagiarism controversy forced her to withdraw from an initial White House appointment and drew scrutiny of her work as an author and academic. This may have disrupted speaking engagements, media contracts or consulting fees. However she later returned to high-level public-service roles, suggesting her reputation remained strong enough to continue her upward trajectory.
Assets, Real Estate & Lifestyle (what public records show)
Public records about Crowley’s private assets and real-estate holdings are limited and broadly reported information is modest:
Her known salary in senior government roles (around USD 195,200 for the Level IV role) provides a financial baseline. Combined with media earnings and book royalties, she has likely accumulated assets over time. However no widely reported major real-estate deal or large multi-million-dollar property publicly attributed to her appears in major outlets as of 2025. Because of this, her estimated wealth of USD 4 million reflects steady accumulation rather than large hidden holdings.
Timeline: Key Career & Financial Milestones
Here is a summary of Crowley’s major milestones:
- 1968 – Born September 19 in Fort Huachuca, Arizona; grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey.
- Early 1990s – Studied political science at Colgate University, then earned MA and PhD in International Relations at Columbia University.
- Mid-1990s – Worked with Richard Nixon as research assistant and advisor.
- 1996 onward – Joined Fox News as an analyst and expanded her media career as a conservative political commentator and author.
- 2012 – Published What the (Bleep) Just Happened?, growing her profile in publishing.
- 2019-2021 – Served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
- May 30, 2025 – Sworn in as Chief of Protocol of the United States under the U.S. Department of State.
- 2025 – Net worth estimated at about USD 4 million.
Personal Life, Philanthropy & Public Image
Monica Crowley presents herself as an American author and academic with strong conservative viewpoints. As a woman in politics and media, she has navigated roles that span commentary, publishing and diplomacy. Her academic credentials (a BA from Colgate University and an MA and PhD from Columbia University) reinforce her standing as a serious commentator and foreign-policy advisor. Her public image is shaped by her early media roles, transition into government service, and high-level diplomatic appointments. While explicit philanthropic work is not widely publicized, her public-service career itself suggests a commitment to representation and communication at national and international levels.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line
In summary, Monica Crowley’s estimated wealth of around USD 4 million reflects a diversified career built across media, publishing, and government service. Her income from commentary, book royalties, and public-service roles combines to create a solid financial profile. Although she faced reputational challenges via the plagiarism controversy, her return to significant government roles demonstrates resilience. For readers looking at a financial overview of this public figure, the key points are that her wealth is modest compared to top media stars, yet meaningful given her career path, and that her earnings reflect multiple income streams rather than one standout windfall.
FAQs
What is Monica Crowley’s background?
Monica Crowley is an American conservative political commentator, author, and former government official. She has worked with Fox News and served in senior roles within the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Department of State.
Is Alan Colmes married to Monica Crowley?
No, Alan Colmes was not married to Monica Crowley. They were colleagues and frequent debate partners on Fox News but never had a marital relationship.
What is Monica’s net worth on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City?
The Monica featured on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is a different person. Monica Crowley, the political commentator, is not part of that reality TV series.
What books has Monica Crowley written?
Monica Crowley has written several books, including Nixon Off the Record, Nixon in Winter, and What the (Bleep) Just Happened?, all of which reflect her insights on politics and American leadership.













