Richard Blumenthal and his wife Cynthia walk together while casting their votes at the Greenwich Civic Center November 2, 2010 in Greenwich, Connecticut. (Getty)
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut made news this week when it was reported that Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, said in a meeting with Blumenthal that the president’s attacks on federal judges are “demoralizing” and “disheartening,” according to CNN.
This came after Blumenthal said in an op-ed for the Hartford Courant that the Republican party must answer for Donald Trump’s “attack on the court.”
“President Donald Trump’s foot is on the accelerator, but make no mistake: Republicans in Congress will be complicit in the damage done to our democracy if they do not find the political courage to place country over party, and to prioritize patriotism over partisanship,” Blumenthal writes.
Richard Blumenthal has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 2011, having previously served as the attorney general of Connecticut. He has been married to his wife, Cynthia, for over three decades.
Here’s what you need to know about Cynthia Malkin, Richard Blumenthal’s wife.
1. She Is the Daughter Of Peter Malkin
Peter Malkin is part-owner of the Empire State Building. (Getty)
Cynthia Malkin is the daughter of Peter Malkin, a wealthy real estate investor.
Peter Malkin is the chairman emeritus of Empire State Realty Trust, which owns a number of buildings across New York City including the Empire State Building. They also own office properties in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York.
Cynthia’s brother Anthony Malkin became president and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust in 2013.
2. She Met Richard When She Was 16 & He Was 31
Richard Blumenthal and his wife Cynthia attend the 6th Annual Stand Up For Heroes at the Beacon Theatre on November 8, 2012. (Getty)
There is a 15-year age difference between Richard Blumenthal and his wife Cynthia; he is currently 70, while she is 55.
According to the Hartford Courant, the two met at a party in Greenwich, where 16-year-old Cynthia was accompanied by her parents; Cynthia and Richard were paired up together in a game of tennis. They met again at Cynthia’s cousin’s wedding a few years later, and they started to date when Cynthia became an adult and began attending Harvard University.
The two of them became engaged during Cynthia’s senior year at Harvard, and they were married the following year when she was 21 and he was 36. The wedding took place at Cynthia’s parents’ home, according to The New York Times.
3. She & Richard Have Four Children
Richard Blumenthal’s wife and kids join him on stage to announce his victory over Republican candidate Linda McMahon on November 2, 2010. (Getty)
Cynthia and Richard have four children: Claire Blumenthal, David Blumenthal, Michael Blumenthal, and Matthew Blumenthal.
With Richard having such a busy schedule, Claire devoted herself to taking care of the four children. She told the Hartford Courant that the children did not mind how much time their father would spend working, though, because they “really do feel his care and concern for them is profound.” She added that “I have devoted myself to making up the difference.”
4. They Own a $2.5 Million Home in Connecticut
Richard Blumenthal and his wife Cynthia attend the Center for Reproductive Rights 2014 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on October 29, 2014 in New York City. (Getty)
According to the Connecticut Post, Richard and Cynthia own a home in Greenwich, Connecticut which is valued at $2,457,840.
This home is 5,698 square feet and has 13 rooms. And, according to the Hartfort Courant, the house is located five minutes away from Cynthia’s parents’ home, where Cynthia and Richard were married.
5. Richard’s Net Worth Is $104 Million
Richard Blumenthal and his wife Cynthia talk talk to the press while casting their votes at the Greenwich Civic Center November 2, 2010 in Greenwich, Connecticut. (Getty)
According to Mic, Richard Blumenthal’s net worth is $104 million, with much of that coming from his wife, Cynthia.
The Connecticut Post also reports that on Blumenthal’s 2012 financial reports, he lists seven stakes of his as being valued at over $1 million between himself, his wife, and his children. The Malkins are part-owners of the Empire State Building, which is valued at $2.5 billion.
This makes Richard Blumenthal one of the wealthiest members of Congress, although his net worth is dwarfed by that of Darrell Issa, who is worth about $250 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.