Lincoln Chafee Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Unconventional Path of Lincoln Davenport Chafee

Born on March 26, 1953 — making March 26 his birthday — Lincoln Davenport Chafee has charted a political and personal journey that defies easy categorization, moving through multiple parties, roles, and phases of public life.

From Horseshoes to Halls of Power

Chafee’s story begins far from the corridors of power. Raised in Providence, Rhode Island, as the son of prominent politician John Chafee, he nonetheless carved his own path. After earning a B.A. in Classics from Brown University, he spent several years working as a farrier at harness racetracks in the U.S. and Canada — a hands-on, blue-collar beginning for someone who would later serve in the U.S. Senate and become governor. 

That time working with horses, Chafee has said, shaped his temperament: “when you're around horses, you tend to be a quieter person.” 

Chafee entered public service in 1985 as a delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention. A year later he won a seat on the Warwick City Council — and in 1992 became mayor of Warwick, holding that office until 1999. As mayor, Chafee prioritized fiscal responsibility, public-service fairness, and environmental stewardship — paving the way for a broader political career. 

A Political Maverick: Votes, Parties and Positions

In 1999, following the death of his father, Chafee was appointed to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat. He won a full term in 2000 and served until 2007. As a senator, Chafee stood out for his willingness to diverge from his party — most famously, he was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against authorizing the 2003 Iraq War.

Over time, his political identity evolved. After leaving the Senate in 2007, Chafee became an Independent. In 2010, he ran for and won the governorship of Rhode Island as an Independent — becoming the only sitting governor at that time who was neither a Democrat nor a Republican.

In May 2013, he formally registered as a Democrat, citing alignment with his values and the difficulty of running a competitive campaign without major-party support. 

As governor (2011–2015), his administration was noted for progressive stances: among other issues, he supported same-sex marriage and pursued pension and social-policy reforms.

Later, in 2019, Chafee made another switch — this time to the Libertarian Party — telling media that the move reflected his long-held combination of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism.

A Financial Foundation: Net Worth and Wealth

Chafee’s shifting political allegiances have often been accompanied by a steady personal financial base. According to his 2014 “personal finances” disclosure, his estimated net worth was around USD 31.5 million. 

Media reporting in 2015 put the value of Chafee and his wife’s combined income, property, and investments at least USD 38 million. 

His financial independence has — on more than one occasion — enabled him to bankroll parts of his own campaigns. While running for reelection to the Senate in 2006, roughly one in five of his campaign contributions came from his own pocket. 

Life Beyond Politics: Family, Faith and Where He Calls Home

Off the campaign trail, Chafee has led a life grounded in family and personal convictions. In January 1990 he married Stephanie Birney Danforth Chafee; the couple has three children: Louisa, Caleb, and Thea. Their daughter Louisa went on to represent the United States in sailing at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Chafee is a member of the Episcopal Church, and has spoken publicly about respecting diverse perspectives and holding to his conscience in issues such as civil rights and foreign policy. 

In recent years, he relocated to Teton Village, Wyoming — a quiet contrast to the political hustle that defined much of his life. 

What Lincoln Chafee’s Journey Shows: Conviction Over Conformity

Chafee’s life is a testament to the power and challenge of conviction. The son of a political heavyweight, he could have easily followed a well-worn path. Instead, he forged his own. His work as a farrier, his environmental commitment as a mayor, his rare bipartisan and often contrarian Senate votes, and his later party changes — from Republican to Independent to Democrat to Libertarian — reveal a figure driven not by political convenience, but by personal principle.

Thanks to both inherited privilege and personal discipline, Chafee built a financial foundation that supported independent political action. That base, combined with a record of relatively moderate, socially liberal but fiscally aware governance, allowed him to resist partisan pressure and champion causes sometimes at odds with his own party’s orthodoxy.

Lincoln Chafee’s birthday, March 26, 1953, anchors a life of public service that refuses easy labels. Whether by votes, party affiliation or policy priorities — he remains a politician defined by choices, not by party.