Ilhan Abdullahi Omar was born on Oct. 4, 1982, in Mogadishu, Somalia. She is the youngest of seven children in a moderate Sunni Muslim family. Her father, Nur Omar Mohamed, was a teacher trainer and her mother passed away when Ilhan was just two years old. Raised by her father and grandfather, Omar’s early life was dramatically shaped by political unrest in her home country.
When civil war erupted in Somalia in 1991, Omar was just eight years old. Her family fled the violence, spending four harrowing years in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. In 1995, at age 12, Omar and her family were granted asylum in the United States and eventually settled in Arlington, Virginia. They then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she would begin her journey toward public service. Beyond her contributions to her community, there has been some past controversy regarding Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s salary, finances and net worth. Here’s everything we know.
Life In Minneapolis And Early Political Engagement
Ilhan Omar’s family relocated to Minneapolis when she was a teenager. Soon after, it became the city she would call home and the district she would one day represent. Navigating life as an immigrant in a new culture came with challenges, but it also laid the foundation for her passion for social justice and community empowerment. As Brittanica notes, Omar learned English by watching TV and attending school and later embraced community advocacy as a way to support others in similar positions.
She graduated from Edison High School and went on to attend North Dakota State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies in 2011. Her interest in politics was sparked early – she served as a student organizer and community educator before working in various political and nonprofit roles.
Initially, Omar’s political career included serving as a campaign manager to Minneapolis City Council member Andrew Johnson. Her grassroots experience allowed her to connect with underrepresented communities and gave her a reputation for bridging the gap between government and citizens. Her advocacy focused heavily on immigration reform, education equity and combating Islamophobia.
How Ilhan Omar Made History In Congress
In 2016, Ilhan Omar made her first major political leap by winning a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, becoming the first Somali-American legislator in the U.S, per Time Magazine. Less than two years later, she ran for the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District after Keith Ellison vacated the seat to run for state attorney general.
She won the 2018 Democratic primary with a landslide of the vote and defeated Republican Jennifer Zielinski in the general election. Omar was sworn into Congress on Jan. 3, 2019, becoming one of the first two Muslim-American women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The other is Rashida Tlaib of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.
Even more historic is the fact that Omar is the first African refugee to serve in Congress. Her election symbolized a turning point in American political representation, reflecting a more diverse and inclusive Congress that better mirrors the population it serves.
Legislative Focus And Committee Roles
As a member of the House of Representatives, Omar has focused on progressive policies. Specifically, affordable housing, environmental justice, universal healthcare and foreign policy reform are key issues. She has also been an outspoken advocate for various human rights, including those regarding U.S. military interventions abroad and U.S. policy in the Middle East and Africa.
“It’s shameful this Administration is continuing our involvement in the Yemen conflict with military assistance,” Omar said in a statement addressing conflict in Yemen in 2022. “This is a dereliction of what this Administration campaigned on, and out of step with a foreign policy agenda rooted in human rights and peace.”
Omar’s influence has impacted several major committees. First, there’s the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where she participated in the Subcommittee on Africa, focusing on diplomatic relations, security and humanitarian issues on the African continent. However, she was removed from that committee by a Republican-controlled House in 2023 for her past comments that referenced “antisemitic tropes,” according to Congressional reports.
She also serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Budget Committee. On those, she works to advance equitable access to education and labor rights, and set overall spending levels, respectively. In a stark move, GOP Rep. Nancy Mace pushed a resolution to censure Omar and have her removed from the two committees, over Omar’s commentary in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. However, the resolution was shelved in a marginal 214-213 House roll call vote, per PBS.
Salary, Real Estate And Business Interests
As a member of Congress, Ilhan Omar earns an annual salary of $174,000. That’s the standard compensation for all rank-and-file members of the U.S. House. Public records show that Omar and her husband, political consultant Tim Mynett, reside in Minneapolis. There is no public record of Omar owning a home or other real estate.
Though not a major investor or entrepreneur, Omar published a memoir titled “This Is What America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman,” which was released in 2020. The book offers an intimate look into her life as a refugee and public servant and likely generated a modest income from publishing rights and speaking engagements.
She does not run a personal business or operate a foundation. However, she is frequently involved in nonprofit events and advocacy campaigns that align with her policy goals.
Family Life And Personal Relationships
As People reports, Omar is married to Tim Mynett, a political consultant. The couple wed in 2020. She has three children from a previous marriage: Isra Hirsi, born in 2003 (known for co-founding the U.S. Youth Climate Strike), and two younger sons whose names and ages remain largely private for security and privacy reasons.
Omar’s marriage and personal life have been the subject of political scrutiny. In 2024, her husband Mynett’s business ventures came under scrutiny following lawsuits claiming “his company has made money disappear.” The allegations stemmed from Mynett’s company receiving $3.5 million to kickstart investments in a South Dakota cannabis company. According to the report, Mynette’s firm returned about $1.8 million, with a court judgment for the other $1.7 million.
However, she has consistently stated that her focus remains on serving her constituents and advocating for systemic change.
What Is Ilhan Omar’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Ilhan Omar’s net worth is approximately $350,000 to $500,000, based on publicly available financial disclosure forms. This includes her congressional salary, income from her memoir and spousal earnings. Unlike some members of Congress with significant private investments, business ownership or inheritance wealth, Omar’s finances remain modest.
“My salary is $174,000 before taxes, I don’t have stock or own a home and am still paying off my student debt,” Omar publicly disclosed on X, as reported by Yahoo! News. “I am a working mom with student loan debt. Unlike some of my colleagues – and similar to most Americans – I am not a millionaire and am raising a family while maintaining a residence in both Minneapolis and DC, which are among the most expensive housing markets in the country,” she added.
She has minimal stock market investments and no known ownership in major business ventures. Her net worth reflects a middle-class lifestyle rooted in public service, not private accumulation. This financial profile resonates with many of her constituents, reinforcing her image as an accessible and relatable public servant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ilhan Omar still serving in Congress in 2025?
Yes. As of 2025, Ilhan Omar continues to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. She is actively serving her fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
How did Ilhan Omar come to the United States?
Omar fled Somalia’s civil war with her family in 1991. After living in a Kenyan refugee camp for four years, they were granted asylum in the U.S. Her family eventually settled in Minneapolis.
Does Ilhan Omar own any businesses or property?
No. Ilhan Omar does not own any major businesses or real estate holdings beyond her primary residence in Minneapolis.
