Charles Rangel's Career in Congress Lasted More Than 40 Years Before He Retired

When Charles Rangel retired from the House of Representatives in 2017, he was the second-longest-serving member of Congress at the time. He went on to live a mostly quiet life in retirement, though he occasionally showed support for others in public office, and he continued to work for the public as a whole. He died on May 26, 2025, at the age of 94. But what was Charles Rangel's net worth before he died?

Three years before his death, Rangel opened the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative at the City College of New York, per the CCNY. It was meant to help expand job opportunities in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. Although his decades in Congress and legacy for the city live on, Rangel's passing was still a blow to his longtime supporters.

Rangel retired from Congress years before his 2025 death. However, he continued to work for the city in other ways, including CCNY's Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Rangel's net worth was $2.5 million. Early in his career, he practiced law, but he later went on to explore politics. In 1971, Rangel was elected as U.S. Representative for New York's 13th congressional district.

Rangel's lifetime of work for New York left a lasting impact on others in similar positions. Congresswoman Nikema Williams posted on X (formerly Twitter) following the news of his death.

"Congressman Charles Rangel did more than break barriers, he built the blueprint," she wrote. "As a founding member of @TheBlackCaucus, his legacy lives on in every member fighting for justice and opportunity in our communities."

Nancy Pelosi wrote on X, "Today, we mourn the Lion of Lenox Avenue: Chairman Charles Rangel. A decorated war hero, civil rights leader and trailblazing legislator, he spent decades fighting for justice, equality and economic opportunity. My prayers are with the Rangel family and the Harlem community."

At the time of his death, Rangel was 94 years old. Although no official cause of death was immediately made public, his family did release a statement about his passing.

"A towering figure in American politics and a champion for justice, equity, and opportunity, Congressman Rangel dedicated over four decades of his life to public service," Rangel's family said in the statement, per ABC News.

In September 2024, less than a year before Rangel died, his wife died. They share two kids together. At the time, Rangel thanked his and his late wife's friends and family in a statement. He said, "We have been so fortunate enjoying Alma's love, affection, and support over these many, many years that we can only thank God for having her with us for so long."