Sam Rayburn
Political Leaders

Sam Rayburn Net Worth

Sam Rayburn was an influential American politician who served as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for 17 years, the longest tenure in U.S. history. Born in Kingston, Tennessee in 1882, he grew up on a 40-acre farm in Texas and developed an early interest in law and politics. He worked his way through college and became a lawyer, and then intensified his participation in political activities. He was elected the Democratic leader of the House of Representatives in 1937 and was made the speaker of the House shortly after. He was the only Democrat to serve more than one non-consecutive term, and one of the only two individuals to serve three different terms as Speaker. He was highly respected for his extraordinary legislative abilities and held the position until his death in 1961.
Sam Rayburn is a member of Political Leaders

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Birth Day January 06, 1882
Birth Place Kingston, United States
Age 137 YEARS OLD
Died On November 16, 1961(1961-11-16) (aged 79)\nBonham, Texas, U.S.
Birth Sign Aquarius
Preceded by Choice B. Randell
Succeeded by Ray Roberts
Deputy Patrick J. Boland
Political party Democratic
Alma mater East Texas Normal College University of Texas School of Law
Profession Lawyer

💰 Net worth: $12 Million (2024)

Sam Rayburn, widely recognized for his influential role as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in the United States, is estimated to have a net worth of $12 million by the year 2024. Known for his exceptional leadership and dedication to public service, Rayburn's position as Speaker earned him immense respect and admiration throughout his career. As an astute politician and statesman, he navigated numerous important legislative sessions and played a crucial role in shaping the nation's political landscape. Rayburn's net worth stands as a testament to his long and impactful tenure in the United States government.

Famous Quotes:

When I became a member of the law firm of Steger, Thurmond and Rayburn, Messrs. Thurmond and Steger were representing the Santa Fe Railroad Company, receiving pay monthly. When the first check came after I entered the firm, Mr. Thurmond brought to my desk one-third of the amount of the check, explaining what it was for. I said to him that I was a member of the Legislature, representing the people of Fannin County, and that my experience had taught me that men who represent the people should be as far removed as possible from concerns whose interests he was liable to be called on to legislate concerning, and that on that ground I would not accept a dollar of the railroad's money, though I was legally entitled to it. I never did take a dollar of it. I have been guided by the principle in all my dealings.

Biography/Timeline

1882

Rayburn was born in Roane County, Tennessee, on January 6, 1882, 24 days before Franklin D. Roosevelt, a fact noted by the news media while Roosevelt was President and Rayburn was Speaker. He was the son of Martha Clementine (Waller) and william Marion Rayburn. In 1887 the Rayburn family moved to a cotton farm near Windom, Texas. Rayburn graduated from East Texas Normal College (now Texas A&M University–Commerce) in Commerce and became a schoolteacher.

1887

Born in Roane County, Tennessee, Rayburn moved with his family to Windom, Texas in 1887. After a period as a schoolteacher, Rayburn won election to the Texas House of Representatives and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law. He won election to the United States House of Representatives in 1912 and continually won re-election until his death in 1961. Rayburn was a protege of John Nance Garner and a mentor to Lyndon B. Johnson.

1897

Rayburn married once, to Metze Jones (1897–1982), sister of Texas Congressman and Rayburn friend Marvin Jones. He had corresponded with her for nine years, and at the time of the wedding Rayburn was 45 and Jones was 30. Their 1927 marriage ended after only a few months; biographers D. B. Hardeman and Donald C. Bacon guessed that Rayburn's work schedule and long bachelorhood, combined with the couple's differing views on alcohol, contributed to the rift. The court's divorce file in Bonham, Texas, has never been located, and Rayburn avoided speaking of his brief marriage. In 2014 the Associated Press reported the existence of a letter Rayburn wrote to Metze after her father died in June 1926.

1907

He won election to the Texas House of Representatives, beginning his first term in 1907. He attended the University of Texas School of Law while a state representative, and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1908. During his third two-year term in the Texas House, he was elected Speaker of the House at the age of twenty-nine. The next year, he won election to the United States House of Representatives in District 4. He entered Congress in 1913 at the beginning of Woodrow Wilson's presidency and served in office for almost 49 years (more than 24 terms), until the beginning of John F. Kennedy's presidency.

1937

Rayburn was elected House Majority Leader in 1937 and was elevated to the position of Speaker of the House after the death of william B. Bankhead. He led the House Democrats from 1940 to 1961, and served as Speaker of the House from 1940 to 1947, 1949 to 1953, and 1955 to 1961. He also served as House Minority Leader from 1947 to 1949 and from 1953 to 1955. Rayburn preferred to work quietly in the background and allowed committee chairmen to retain much of the power in the House. He refused to sign the Southern Manifesto and was influential in the construction of U.S. Route 66. He served as Speaker until his death in 1961, and was succeeded by John william McCormack.

1940

On September 16, 1940, at the age of 58, and while serving as Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, Rayburn became Speaker of the House upon the sudden death of Speaker william Bankhead. Rayburn's ascension to the speakership was surprisingly rapid; that including Bankhead, the three Speakers prior to Rayburn died in office within six years. (Henry Thomas Rainey died in 1934 and Jo Byrns in 1936.)

1945

Rayburn was well known among his colleagues for his after Business hours "Board of Education" meetings in hideaway offices in the House. During these off-the-record sessions, the Speaker and powerful committee chairmen would gather for poker, bourbon, and a frank discussion of politics. Rayburn alone determined who received an invitation to these gatherings; to be invited to even one was a high honor. On April 12, 1945, Vice President Harry Truman, a regular attendee since his Senate days, had just arrived at the "Board of Education" when he received a phone call telling him to immediately come to the White House, where he learned that Franklin D. Roosevelt was dead and he was now President of the United States.

1947

For the next 21 years, Rayburn was the leader of the House Democrats. His career as Speaker was interrupted twice: 1947–1949 and 1953–1955, when Republicans controlled the House. During those periods of Republican rule, Rayburn served as Minority Leader. However, he so disliked the term "minority leader" that he asked to be referred to as the "Democratic Leader" during those interim four years when the office of Speaker was held by the Republican Joseph W. Martin Jr. of Massachusetts, actually a close personal friend of Rayburn's.

1956

In 1956, Rayburn was baptized by Elder H. G. Ball in the Primitive Baptist Church, also known as Old Line Baptist or Hard Shell Baptist Church.

1957

In 1957 Rayburn dedicated the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum in Bonham in the style of a presidential library to preserve his memory, library collection, honors, and mementos.

1959

Also, as Speaker of the House, Rayburn forged close friendships and partnerships with legislatures of emerging independent countries and democracies on the continent of Africa, especially Nigeria, a rising political power on that continent. Rayburn was a good friend of Jaja Wachuku, the first indigenous Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, from 1959 to 1960.

1961

Rayburn died of cancer in 1961 at the age of 79 and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. By the time of his death, he had served as Speaker for nearly twice as long as any of his predecessors.

2016

In 2016 the Plano Star Courier published a story about an article in the October 2016 issue of Southwestern Historical Quarterly (a scholarly journal published by the Texas State Historical Association) profiling Sam Rayburn's "lady friend" who was a woman named Margaret Fallon (Peggy) Palmer, the widow of former U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, and her close relationship with Rayburn.

Some Sam Rayburn images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.