Andrew Cuomo, the 56th governor of New York, has been in office since 2011. In addition to his political career, he is also a lawyer and author. Cuomo began his journey in politics as the campaign manager for his father, former governor Mario Cuomo. He later served as his father’s top policy advisor before pursuing a career in law. Cuomo’s dedication to helping the less privileged led to his appointment as the chairperson of the ‘New York City Homeless Commission’ in 1990. He went on to hold various positions, including assistant secretary for ‘Community Planning and Development’ during Bill Clinton’s presidency. In 2006, Cuomo became the attorney general of New York and later won the election for governor in 2010. Throughout his terms, he has made significant strides, such as legalizing same-sex marriage and implementing stricter gun laws. Cuomo was re-elected for a second term in 2014 and a third term in 2018.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Andrew Mark Cuomo
- Age: 66 Years, 66 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Kerry Kennedy (m. 1990–2005)
- Father: Mario Cuomo
- Mother: Raffa Matilda
- Siblings: Chris Cuomo, Madeline Cuomo, Margaret I. Cuomo, Maria Cuomo Cole
- Partner: Sandra Lee (2005–)
- Born Country: United States
- Quotes By Andrew Cuomo
- Political Leaders
- Height: 5’11” (180 cm), 5’11” Males
- Notable Alumni: Archbishop Molloy High School
- Ancestry: Italian American
- U.S. State: New Yorkers
- More Facts
- Education: Fordham University, Albany Law School, Archbishop Molloy High School
Early Life and Education
Andrew Mark Cuomo was born on December 6, 1957, in Queens borough of New York City. He is the eldest son of attorney and later governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, and his wife, Matilda. Andrew’s parents are of Italian descent, with his paternal grandparents from Nocera Inferiore and Tramonti in South Italy, and his maternal grandparents from Sicily. He has a younger brother, Chris, who works as a journalist with CNN.
Andrew attended St. Gerard Majella’s School and Archbishop Molloy High School, graduating from the latter in 1975. He then went on to study at Fordham University, where he earned a BA degree in 1979. He later attended Albany Law School of Union University in New York, where he received a JD.
Early Career and Political Interest
Andrew’s interest in politics developed during his teenage years when he actively participated in his father’s campaign for state office. He supported his father by putting up campaign posters.
Career
After graduating from law school in 1982, Andrew began his career as the campaign manager for his father’s successful bid for governor of New York. He then worked as a senior advisor in his father’s office for two years, earning only $1 per year but dedicating himself fully to the job.
In 1984, Andrew moved to New York and started working as an assistant district attorney. He also briefly partnered with a law firm named Blutriche, Falcone and Miller. Despite moving away from his father’s office, Andrew continued to provide valuable advice to his father’s administration.
During this time, Andrew became increasingly aware of the challenges faced by the underprivileged in society. In 1986, he founded Housing Enterprises for the Less Privileged (HELP), an organization dedicated to assisting the homeless in New York. He also served as the chairperson of the New York City Homeless Commission from 1990 to 1993, where he focused on developing policies and addressing the needs of the homeless population.
In 1993, Andrew was appointed as the assistant secretary for Community Planning and Development under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during President Bill Clinton’s administration. He worked closely with Vice President Al Gore to formulate policies aimed at providing permanent homes for the poor and homeless.
Andrew served as the secretary of HUD until the end of Clinton’s administration in 2001. During his tenure, he worked on gun control measures and initiatives to improve the economy and generate employment opportunities.
In 2006, Andrew was elected as the attorney general of New York, a position he held until 2010. He then ran for the office of governor of New York and was elected in 2010. He was re-elected for a second term in 2014 and a third term in 2018.
During his time as governor, Andrew Cuomo legalized same-sex marriage, implemented tax cuts, restructured the tax system, and enacted legislation for controlled gun use. He also made medical marijuana available in designated hospitals and awarded grants to colleges for offering courses to prisoners.
Controversies and Criticisms
Andrew Cuomo faced controversy in 2014 when he closed a commission he had established to investigate corruption. Federal authorities launched an investigation into allegations of interference by his office, but no criminal charges were filed.
In 2020, Cuomo faced criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding the reporting of COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents. He was also accused of sexual harassment by several women in 2021, leading to calls for his resignation. Cuomo apologized for making people feel uncomfortable but did not resign.
Personal Life
Andrew Cuomo married Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, in 1990. They have three daughters together: Cara Ethel Kennedy-Cuomo, Mariah Matilda Kennedy-Cuomo, and Michaela Andrea Kennedy-Cuomo. Andrew and Kerry divorced in 2005.
After his divorce, Andrew began dating television chef Sandra Lee in 2005. They were together until 2019.
Andrew Cuomo is known for his close friendship with singer Billy Joel and presided over Joel’s fourth wedding in 2015. He released his autobiography, “All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life,” in 2014.