Morgan Ortagus: Age, Date of Birth & other info
Morgan Ortagus is a well-known American political advisor, national security analyst, diplomat, and television commentator. She gained national prominence for her role as the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State from 2019 to 2021 under former President Donald Trump. Over the years, she has worked in several key government agencies, including the U.S. Treasury and USAID, and has made a mark in the private sector as well.
- Age: 42 Years
- Date of Birth: July 10, 1982
- Birth Place: Auburndale, Florida, USA
- Weight: 130 pounds (59 kg)
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall
- Net Worth: between $3 million and $5 million
Early Life and Education
Date of Birth and Age
Morgan Ortagus was born on July 10, 1982, in Auburndale, Florida, USA. As of February 2025, she is 42 years old.
Family Background
Morgan was raised in Auburndale, a small town in Florida, in a middle-class household. Her parents are:
- Father: Ronald E. Ortagus (owned a cleanup and restoration business)
- Mother: Denise C. Ortagus (office manager)
- Siblings: Morgan has a twin sister.
Her upbringing in a hardworking family instilled in her a strong work ethic and ambition from an early age.
Influence of Pageantry on Her Life
During her teenage years, Morgan was actively involved in beauty pageants, which helped her gain confidence and public speaking skills. She won several pageant titles, including:
- Miss Auburndale
- Miss Teen Auburndale
- Miss Florida Citrus (2003)
- Miss Orange Blossom
While beauty pageants were often associated with glamour, for Morgan, they served a greater purpose: providing scholarships for higher education.
Tragic Event That Shaped Her Activism
When she was a teenager, Morgan lost her childhood mentor in a drunk driving accident in 1996. This tragic incident led her to become an advocate for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.
Education
Morgan initially had a passion for music, but after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, she became deeply interested in national security and politics. She pursued higher education in these fields:
- Florida Southern College (2005) – Bachelor of Science in Political Science
- Johns Hopkins University (2013) – Master of Arts in Government
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School – Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Her research during this time focused on counterinsurgency strategies, reflecting her strong interest in foreign policy and security.
Professional Career
Morgan Ortagus has built an impressive career spanning government service, the private sector, media, and political strategy.
Government Career
USAID (United States Agency for International Development) (2007-2008)
Morgan started her career as a Public Affairs Officer at USAID, where she worked in Baghdad, Iraq. This experience gave her firsthand exposure to international development and U.S. foreign assistance efforts in war zones.
U.S. Treasury Department (2008-2010)
After her time at USAID, she joined the United States Department of the Treasury as an Intelligence Analyst in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. Her work primarily focused on North Africa and the Middle East, where she analyzed financial networks tied to terrorist organizations and illicit activities.In 2010, she was promoted to Deputy Treasury Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, working closely with the Saudi government to combat financial crimes.
Private Sector Career
After her tenure in the government, Ortagus transitioned into the private sector, taking up leadership roles in finance and consulting.
Standard Chartered Bank (2010-2016)
She worked as a Global Relationship Manager, handling key clients in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Ernst & Young (EY) (2016-2019)
She became Executive Director at EY, where she co-founded the Geostrategic Business Group, advising businesses on geopolitical risks and investments.
Media and Political Commentary
With her expertise in foreign policy and national security, Ortagus became a frequent political commentator on major news networks, especially Fox News.
She contributed as a:
- National Security Analyst
- Republican Strategist
- Foreign Policy Commentator
She appeared regularly on Fox & Friends, Outnumbered, The Five, and Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria.
U.S. State Department (2019-2021)
In April 2019, Morgan was appointed as the Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Her role involved:
- Representing the United States on foreign policy matters
- Managing press briefings and diplomatic communications
- Promoting the Abraham Accords (Middle East peace agreements)
- Criticizing China’s Communist Party during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Supporting sanctions on Iran
She served until the end of the Trump administration in January 2021.
Return to Private Sector and Recent Appointments
After leaving the State Department, she co-founded Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm based in Nashville, Tennessee. She also launched Polaris National Security, a think tank focused on U.S. foreign policy.In January 2025, President Donald Trump appointed her as the Deputy United States Special Envoy for Middle East Peace.
Personal Life
Marriage and Family
Morgan Ortagus is married to Jonathan Weinberger, an attorney specializing in international trade. They tied the knot in 2013, and their wedding was officiated by the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.The couple has a daughter, Adina Weinberger, born in 2020.
Religious Background
Although raised Christian, Morgan later converted to Judaism, influenced by her experiences in the Middle East.
Net Worth
While Morgan Ortagus’s exact net worth is not publicly available, estimates suggest it is between $3 million and $5 million as of 2025.
Her sources of income include:
- Government salaries (State Department, Treasury)
- Private sector earnings (Standard Chartered Bank, Ernst & Young)
- Investment firm profits (Rubicon Founders)
- Media contracts (Fox News appearances)
- Speaking engagements and consulting
Her financial success reflects her diverse career across public service, finance, media, and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
Morgan Ortagus is a highly accomplished foreign policy expert, political strategist, and media personality. From her early days in Florida to becoming a high-profile government official, her journey has been remarkable.As a former State Department Spokesperson, Treasury official, and business leader, she has played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.Her continued influence in politics and diplomacy, along with her entrepreneurial ventures, ensures that she remains a significant figure in American national security and international relations.
