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Harry Reid Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

Quick Info

Date of birthDecember 2, 1939

Age77 (as of 2016)

BirthplaceEdgewater Hospital, Chicago, Illinois

ProfessionPolitician

NationalityAmerican

Marital statusMarried

SpouseLandra Gould

FamilyChildren: Rory, Leif, Key, Josh, Lana

Net worth10 million USD

Harry Reid Biography

Harry Mason Reid is an American politician and longtime Democratic leader from Nevada. Born in 1939, Reid served in state and federal offices across five+

Early life and background
Harry Mason Reid was born on December 2, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Nevada. He attended Basic High School in Henderson and went on to study at institutions including Southern Utah University and George Washington University Law School, earning a Juris Doctor degree. Reid’s family background included a father who worked as a miner and a mother who worked as a laundress. He was raised in a Mormon household.

Career
Reid began his elected career in 1968 with a win to the Nevada Assembly. A few years later, at age 30, he became lieutenant governor after being chosen as running mate by Mike O’Callaghan, serving in that role from 1971 until 1974. Reid sought a U.S. Senate seat in 1974 but was narrowly defeated by former governor Paul Laxalt.

After an unsuccessful bid for Las Vegas mayor in 1975, Reid served as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission from 1977 to 1981. He returned to federal elective office in the early 1980s, winning the Democratic nomination for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District and serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1987. He subsequently resumed his trajectory in statewide and national politics, winning reelection to the Senate in 2004 with a substantial margin.

Reid’s long Senate career included leadership roles within his party. On March 27, 2015, he announced he would not seek reelection in the 2016 cycle, bringing to a close decades of continuous public service.

Public profile
Throughout his career Reid was identified with the Democratic Party and was known to have political rivals, including Mitt Romney. He was sometimes referred to by the nickname "Dingy Harry." Physically, sources list his height at approximately 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches) and a weight around 68 kilograms (150 pounds), with blue eyes and white hair.

Personal life
Reid married Landra Gould in 1959. The couple raised several children, including son Rory Reid, who also entered politics. Other children named in public records include Leif, Key, Josh and a daughter, Lana. Reid listed hobbies such as boxing, football, workouts and grocery shopping.

Controversies and criticisms
Across his public life Reid encountered criticism from multiple directions. He faced pushback from some liberals over his positions on U.S. military involvement in Iraq, and from conservatives for his use of Senate procedures that limited amendments. Specific incidents and legislative matters drew scrutiny at various points, and he issued an apology in January 2010 for remarks made during a presidential campaign period.

Latest updates
As of his 2015 announcement, Reid said he would not run for reelection in November 2016. That decision marked the transition from an active electoral role to retirement from the Senate.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Harry Reid, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

U.S. Senate leadership and reelection (notable)

Reid served multiple terms in the U.S. Senate, including a 2004 reelection where he won with 61% of the vote, and announced he would not seek reelection in 2016.

2004–2016
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Career Highlights

  1. Elected to Nevada Assembly (1968)
  2. Lieutenant Governor of Nevada (1971–1974)
  3. Chairman, Nevada Gaming Commission (1977–1981)
  4. U.S. Representative for Nevada’s 1st District (1983–1987)
  5. Multiple-term U.S. Senator from Nevada; announced retirement in 2015
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Net Worth

10 million USD

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Harry Reid born?

Harry Reid was born on December 2, 1939.

What is Harry Reid known for?

Harry Reid is known for politician.

What is Harry Reid’s marital status?

Harry Reid's marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Harry Reid married to?

Harry Reid is publicly listed as married to Landra Gould.

What is Harry Reid’s net worth?

Harry Reid's net worth is commonly listed as 10 million USD, based on available public profile information.