Deborah Birx | Age, Education, Husband, Daughters, Book and Net Worth
Dr. Deborah Birx Biography | Wiki
Deborah Leah Birx is a renowned American physician and diplomat, widely recognized for her role as the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under the Trump administration. She has also served as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and the U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, overseeing critical global health initiatives, including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
In her role as Ambassador-at-Large and Global AIDS Coordinator since 2014, Dr. Birx led the implementation of PEPFAR—the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease—and coordinated U.S. involvement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Dr. Deborah Birx Education
Dr. Birx began her high school education at Lampeter-Strasburg High School, later transferring to and graduating from Carlisle High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Houghton College in New York in 1976. She then received her Medical Degree (M.D.) from Penn State’s Hershey School of Medicine in 1980.
Upon graduating, Dr. Birx joined the U.S. Army, where she completed her medical residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and began a distinguished career in military and public health service.
Dr. Deborah Birx Age and Birthday
Dr. Birx was born on April 4, 1956, in Pennsylvania, USA. As of 2025, she is 69 years old. Her birthday is celebrated annually on April 4th.
Dr. Deborah Birx Scarves
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Birx became known not only for her scientific expertise but also for her signature colorful scarves, which she wore during televised briefings. Her elegant and vibrant scarf choices brought a touch of personal style and visual warmth to otherwise somber pandemic updates.
Dr. Deborah Birx Children | Daughters
Dr. Birx is the mother of two daughters, both of whom have pursued careers in public service and health-related fields:
Devynn Birx-Raybuck – She works as a Director of Business Development at IMA World Health, an organization focused on improving health services and outcomes in vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries.
Danielle Birx-Raybuck – She is a Clinical Social Worker at Inova Health System in the Washington, D.C. area. Her work involves providing mental health support and counseling to patients and families in healthcare settings.
Deborah Birx Book
Dr. Deborah Birx is the author of the memoir “Silent Invasion: The Untold Story of the Trump Administration, COVID-19, and Preventing the Next Pandemic Before It’s Too Late”, published in April 2022. In the book, Birx offers a behind-the-scenes account of her time serving as the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator during one of the most critical public health crises in modern history.
“Silent Invasion” explores the challenges she faced inside the Trump administration, including political interference, misinformation, and internal resistance to scientific guidance. The book also reflects on missed opportunities, the importance of data transparency, and the need for better preparedness in the face of future pandemics. Birx uses her experience to offer policy recommendations and a roadmap for improving America’s pandemic response infrastructure.
Where Is Deborah Birx Now?
As of 2025, Dr. Deborah Birx remains active in the fields of global health, pandemic preparedness, and public health strategy. After leaving the federal government in early 2021, she joined several private sector and nonprofit organizations focused on combating infectious diseases and improving healthcare systems.
She has served as Chief Medical and Science Advisor at ActivePure Technologies, a company that focuses on air and surface purification technology. Birx has also been involved in public speaking, advisory boards, and health-focused think tanks, where she contributes her expertise on pandemic response, data-driven public health, and global disease surveillance.
Although no longer in the public spotlight daily, Dr. Birx continues to advocate for science-based policy and global cooperation in preventing future health crises.
Dr. Deborah Birx Net Worth
Dr. Birx has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Her income has primarily been derived from her decades-long career in medicine, public health, military service, and government positions, including high-level diplomatic appointments.
Dr. Deborah Birx Height
Dr. Birx stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters).
Dr. Deborah Birx Family | Parents
She is the daughter of Donald Birx, a mathematician and electrical engineer, and Adele Sparks Birx, a nursing instructor. Dr. Birx was raised in a family committed to science and education.
Deborah Birx Husband
Dr. Birx is married to Paige Reffe, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney with over four decades of experience in general law practice. He previously served as Deputy Assistant and Director of Advance for President Bill Clinton, managing presidential and first lady travel logistics. The couple resides in a multi-generational household that includes Dr. Birx’s parents, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.
Deborah Birx Brother
Dr. Deborah Birx has a brother named Don Birx, who is also highly accomplished in the academic and scientific community. Dr. Don Birx is the President of Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. He has a background in physics and engineering, with a career spanning roles in research, academic administration, and leadership in higher education institutions.
Dr. Deborah Birx and the White House Coronavirus Task Force
On February 27, 2020, Vice President Mike Pence appointed Dr. Birx as the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator. In this role, she reported directly to the vice president and played a key leadership role in the federal response to COVID-19.
During a press briefing on March 26, 2020, she attempted to calm public fears by stating there was no evidence, at that point, to suggest U.S. hospitals would run out of ICU beds or ventilators. Her statements aimed to counter widespread anxiety as the pandemic escalated.
Deborah Birx at the CDC
From 2005 to 2014, Dr. Birx served as Director of the Division of Global HIV/AIDS (DGHA) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There, she led global efforts to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic, focusing on prevention, treatment, and public health infrastructure development.
Dr. Deborah Birx Career
Dr. Birx’s career spans both military and civilian sectors. Highlights include:
1980–1994: Served as a U.S. Army Reserve officer
1994–2008: Active duty in the regular U.S. Army, achieving the rank of Colonel
1980–1989: Physician at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
1981–1986: Completed internship, residency, and fellowships in internal medicine and clinical immunology
1985–1989: Assistant Chief of the Walter Reed Allergy/Immunology Service
1986–1989: Investigator in cellular immunology at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
1989–1995: Led Retroviral Research at Walter Reed, eventually becoming chief
1996–2005: Directed the U.S. Military HIV Research Program, leading the RV 144 HIV vaccine trial, the first to show modest effectiveness in preventing HIV infection
Dr. Deborah Birx and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
In 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Dr. Birx as Ambassador-at-Large and U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, a role in which she managed the PEPFAR program. She was confirmed by the Senate on April 2, 2014.
Her work with PEPFAR included:
Overseeing U.S. efforts to end the global AIDS pandemic by 2030
Launching the DREAMS initiative (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe), aimed at reducing HIV infection rates among adolescent girls and young women
Strengthening health systems and expanding access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment around the world
