John Herschel Glenn Jr. was born on 18 July 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio US, and was an aviator, astronaut, engineer and senator, but best known for being the first American to orbit the earth in space. He began as a fighter pilot in World War II, and ended his working career as a Senator for 24 years. All of his efforts helped put his net worth to where it was prior to his passing in 2016.
How rich was John Glenn? As of mid-2017, sources estimate a net worth that was at $5 million, earned through success in politics, the military and science. He was one of the Mercury Seven, the first military test pilots selected to become astronauts by NASA, but all of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
John Glenn Net Worth $5 million
John was educated at New Concord High School, and matriculated in 1939. Afterwards, he attended Muskingum College to study engineering. In 1941, he gained a private pilot’s license, and after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he quit college to enlist in the US Army Air Corps, then as a US Navy aviation cadet and after advanced training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, he was transferred to the US Marine Corps.
Glenn was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and first flew R4D transport planes. He was then posted to the Marine Corps Air Station El Centro flying Wildcat and Corsair fighters, was promoted to first lieutenant and would then go on 57 combat missions, receiving 10 Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. In 1946, he volunteered his service with the occupation of North China and then did missions from Guam before working as a flight instructor and also flew during the weekends. He was promoted to major in 1952, and went to South Korea late in the Korean War, flying 63 combat missions and receiving eight more Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. After the war, he trained as a test pilot, and made the first supersonic transcontinental flight in 1957, being awarded his fifth Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission, and promoted to lieutenant colonel.
John then requested to be part of the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He barely met the requirements based on age and lack of a science degree for an astronaut, but after involvement in spacecraft design and testing, became one of the Mercury Seven. After rigorous training, he made the Friendship 7 flight in 1962, having problems which nearly killed him, but landing safely after re-entry. He was the first American to orbit the Earth, and the third American and fifth human in space. He retired as the oldest member of the astronaut corps in 1964, and from the Marine Corps as a colonel the following year.
Glenn then attempted a career in the Senate, however he was unable to campaign after suffering a concussion leading to him being hospitalized. He campaigned in 1970 but was defeated in the Democratic primary, but would eventually be elected in 1974. He was part of several committees throughout the course of his political career, and was considered an expert in science. He supported numerous military programs, though he also became involved with the savings and loan crisis. He retired in 1997 after the 35th anniversary of his Friendship 7 flight, and the following year he joined the STS-95 crew, and became the oldest person to fly in space at 77.
For his personal life, it is known that John married Anna Margaret Castor in 1943. She was his high school sweetheart and they had two children, and remained married for 73 years until his death. He was healthy for most of his life, and passed away in 2016 at 95 years of age from natural causes.
