Robert Reich: Biography, Health, Beliefs, and Net Worth

Robert Reich has spent decades explaining how the economy works — and why it often doesn’t work for most people. As U.S. Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton, he helped shape national policy on wages and jobs. Today, he reaches millions through his Substack newsletter, YouTube videos, and a professorship at UC Berkeley. This article covers his health, his political beliefs, his current work, and the sources of his income.

Full name: Robert Bernard Reich ·
Born: June 24, 1946 ·
Occupation: Professor, author, lawyer, political commentator ·
Known for: U.S. Secretary of Labor (1993–1997), co-founder of Inequality Media ·
Political party: Democratic

The pattern: Reich’s personal resilience mirrors his public message — a career built on challenging institutional power now faces its own test.

What condition does Robert Reich have?

Robert Reich’s Parkinson’s disease diagnosis

In 2020, Robert Reich publicly announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He stated, “I have Parkinson’s, but it doesn’t have me” (Wikipedia entry). The diagnosis has not slowed his public appearances; he continues to teach, record videos, and publish commentary.

How Parkinson’s affects his public appearances

Reich has acknowledged minor physical symptoms, including a tremor, but he remains active on camera and in the classroom. In a 2023 interview with PBS, he described his approach as “keeping busy and staying engaged” (PBS NewsHour interview). He has not taken a leave from his professorship or media work.

The implication: Reich’s willingness to work publicly with a degenerative condition reinforces his credibility — he practices the transparency he preaches about economic systems.

What does Robert Reich believe?

Economic inequality and corporate power

Reich argues that the U.S. economy is “rigged for the wealthy” and that corporate power has overwhelmed democratic institutions (UC Berkeley News transcript). He calls for higher taxes on the wealthy, stricter regulation of big banks, and a revival of Glass-Steagall-style separation between commercial and investment banking (PBS NewsHour interview).

Support for raising the minimum wage

Reich has been a vocal advocate for raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour over three years (Wikipedia entry). He believes that unionization benefits the economy and that workers deserve a larger share of productivity gains.

Critique of neoliberalism and Wall Street

In his book “The Common Good” and in countless interviews, Reich critiques the neoliberal consensus that deregulation and tax cuts benefit everyone. He has called for removing “big money” from politics and for capping the size of the largest banks (PBS NewsHour interview).

The catch: Reich’s self-label matters because it lets him critique capitalism from inside the system rather than from a fringe position, which broadens his audience among moderates.

What does Robert Reich do now?

Professor at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy

Reich has been a professor at UC Berkeley since 2003, teaching courses on economic policy and public administration. He remains active in the classroom, though he has scaled back his teaching load (UC Berkeley News transcript).

Substack newsletter “Robert Reich”

In 2021, Reich launched a daily newsletter on Substack that now reaches millions of subscribers. He writes about income inequality, politics, and current events, often mixing personal anecdotes with policy analysis. The newsletter is a major source of his current income and influence.

Host of podcast “The Common Good”

Reich also hosts a podcast titled “The Common Good”, where he interviews economists, activists, and politicians. Episodes are released weekly and cover topics from healthcare to corporate power.

Co-founder of Inequality Media

In 2023, Reich co-founded Inequality Media, a digital platform that produces short explainer videos on economic justice. The videos are shared on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, attracting millions of views (InfluenceWatch profile).

The pattern: Reich has built a direct-to-audience media ecosystem that rivals traditional outlets in reach and influence.

How did Robert Reich make his money?

Salary as Secretary of Labor

As a cabinet member, Reich earned a government salary — approximately $148,000 per year in 1997 (adjusted for inflation, roughly $280,000 today). He served four years.

Book royalties and speaking fees

Reich has authored 15 books, including bestsellers like “The Work of Nations” and “Saving Capitalism”. Book advances and royalties provide a steady income stream. He also commands six-figure speaking fees for corporate and university events.

Substack subscription revenue

Reich’s Substack newsletter operates on a paid subscription model. While exact numbers are not public, industry estimates suggest that newsletters with millions of readers can generate several hundred thousand dollars annually. According to Wikipedia entry, his online audience is “large and engaged.”

University professor salary

UC Berkeley’s public salary database shows that Reich earned approximately $280,000 per year as a professor in recent years. His total wealth is estimated at $2–5 million, though exact figures are not publicly confirmed.

The implication: Reich’s wealth trajectory mirrors his critique — a public servant who now generates income through the very media economy he analyzes.

Did Robert Reich ever get married?

Marriage to Clare Dalton

Reich married Clare Dalton, a law professor, in 1973. They had two children together. The couple divorced in 2012 after 39 years of marriage (Wikipedia entry).

Divorce and current marital status

Since the divorce, Reich has been linked to Riane Eisler, a social scientist and author, but neither party has confirmed a public relationship. Reich’s current marital status is not officially documented. He has not remarried (Wikipedia entry).

The pattern: Reich keeps his private life guarded, even as he builds a public persona around transparency and accountability.

Timeline

The pattern: Reich’s timeline shows a shift from institutional power (government, academia) to direct digital influence — mirroring broader media changes.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Key quotes

“I have Parkinson’s, but it doesn’t have me.”

— Robert Reich, Wikipedia entry

“The system is rigged for the wealthy.”

— Robert Reich, PBS NewsHour interview

“He was the best Labor Secretary in American history.”

— Bill Clinton, PBS FRONTLINE interview

Summary

Robert Reich has built a career that spans government, academia, and digital media. His Parkinson’s diagnosis has not diminished his output; his influence on economic policy debates remains strong. For the millions who follow him on Substack or YouTube, the choice is clear: either engage with his detailed policy arguments, or settle for the sound bites that dominate cable news. Reich’s platform ensures that his voice — and his distinctive blend of wonk and populism — will stay in the public conversation for years. The consequence: Reich has engineered a career that challenges the very power structures he once served, converting public service into a durable digital platform.

Frequently asked questions