Van Jones Wikipedia | Biography
Van Jones is a prominent American political analyst, lawyer, author, media personality, and civil rights advocate. He plays a vital role in the fields of politics and social justice, with three New York Times bestselling books to his name, an Emmy Award, and a long-standing position as a host and contributor at CNN.
In 2009, he stepped into the role of Special Advisor for Green Jobs under President Barack Obama. The following year, he became a distinguished visiting fellow at Princeton University. Throughout his career, he has founded or co-founded several influential nonprofit organizations, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, and Dream Corps. Dream Corps focuses on initiatives aimed at criminal justice reform, promoting technology inclusion, and advocating for environmental issues.
At CNN, Jones has hosted or co-hosted shows like Crossfire, The Messy Truth, The Van Jones Show, and The Redemption Project with Van Jones. He’s also a well-known political commentator for the network. Beyond his television work, he authored The Green Collar Economy, a book that explores environmental innovation and economic opportunities.
Additionally, Jones co-founded Magic Labs Media, which produced the WEBBY Award-winning digital series Messy Truth and the Emmy Award-winning The Messy Truth VR Experience with Van Jones.
Outside of his media and activism endeavors, Jones served as the CEO of the REFORM Alliance, a criminal justice reform initiative launched by Jay-Z and Meek Mill. He also had a long-standing collaboration with the legendary musician Prince, acting as a collaborator and advisor.
Van Jones Age
So, how old is Van? As of 2026, he’s 57 years old. He was born on September 20, 1968, in Jackson, Tennessee, USA. Every year, he celebrates his birthday on that same date.
Van Jones Education
Van graduated from Jackson Central-Merry High School and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and communication from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Nationality
Van is an American citizen, having been born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee. He proudly identifies with his Black heritage.
Van Jones Height
Standing at about 5 feet 8 inches tall (around 1.75 m), Van is of average height. He hasn’t shared any details about his other body measurements publicly.
Van Jones Parents
Growing up in Jackson, Tennessee, Van was nurtured by his loving parents, Willie Anthony Jones and Loretta Jean. Loretta was a high school teacher, while Anthony served as a middle school principal. He also has a twin sister named Angela. Additionally, his grandfather was a prominent figure in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Van Jones Wife | Children
Van was previously married to Jana Carter. They tied the knot in 2005 but went their separate ways in 2019. Together, they have two children: Mattai and Cabral.
Van Jones Salary
Van brings in a solid income as a news and political commentator, author, and lawyer for CNN, where he contributes and hosts a podcast. His estimated salary is around $95,000.
Van Jones Net Worth
Having spent quite a bit of time in the media industry, Van has managed to build up a respectable fortune over the years. His estimated net worth stands at about $3 million.
Van Jones | Kim Kardashian
Van crossed paths with Kim Kardashian while working with the Donald Trump administration. Together, they were involved with #cut50, which played a role in passing the First Step Act. This criminal reform bill was hailed by the New York Times as “the most influential changes in a generation” regarding national crime and sentencing laws.
Van Jones CNN News
In June 2013, Van was announced as a co-host for a reboot of CNN’s political debate show Crossfire, alongside S.E. Cupp, Newt Gingrich, and Stephanie Cutter. The revamped Crossfire premiered in September 2013 but was canceled by October 2014. In 2016, he launched The Messy Truth, a follow-up studio debate series, and a news documentary series, which aired on CNN in 2017. He also kicked off The Van Show on CNN, featuring Jay-Z as his first guest. In 2019, he introduced another show called The Redemption Project with Van, which focused on restorative justice.