Rachel Levine: Bio, Age, Wife, Before, Birth Name, Gender Transition, and Salary
Rachel Levine Biography
Dr. Rachel Levine is a distinguished American pediatrician and public health official who served as the United States Assistant Secretary for Health and as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps from 2021 to 2025. She is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Penn State College of Medicine and has held various high-profile roles in public health, including Pennsylvania’s Physician General (2015–2017) and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (2017–2021).
A trailblazer in the field, Dr. Levine made history as the first openly transgender individual confirmed by the Senate to a federal office and, in 2021, became the first openly transgender four-star officer across any of the eight U.S. uniformed services. Her achievements were recognized nationally when she was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2022.
Education
Dr. Levine’s academic journey began at Belmont Hill School, an all-boys independent school. She then earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard College before pursuing her medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine, graduating in 1983 with a specialization in pediatric medicine. She completed her residency and advanced training at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.
Rachel Levine Age and Birthday
Dr. Rachel Levine was born on October 28, 1957, in Wakefield, Massachusetts. As of 2025, she is 67 years old. She celebrates her birthday every year on October 28.
Rachel Levine Birth Name
Dr. Levine was born as Richard Leland Levine. She publicly came out as transgender in 2011, after years of careful personal reflection and professional counseling. Her journey toward transition began in the early 2000s and included voice training and therapy.
Birth Name and Gender Transition
Rachel Levine was born as Richard Leland Levine. Her transition began in the early 2000s and was marked by careful reflection and professional support. In an interview with The Washington Post, Dr. Levine described her transition as deliberate and well-researched. She began therapy in 2001, started growing her hair in 2008, and publicly came out as a transgender woman in 2011. She also underwent voice training to help her present more authentically. Dr. Levine has chosen not to disclose details about any medical treatments or surgeries, describing those aspects as private.
Rachel Levine Height
Dr. Levine stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.7 meters).
Family Background
Rachel Levine was born to Lillian Levine, a former lawyer, and Melvin Levine. She has a younger sister named Bonnie Levine. Her family includes several other relatives in the legal profession.
Rachel Levine Spouse and Children
Prior to her transition, Dr. Levine was married to Martha Peaslee Levine. The couple married during Rachel’s time as chief resident at Mount Sinai Medical Center. They later divorced in 2013. Together, they have two children: David and Dayna.
Who Is Rachel Levine’s Partner?
As of now, Rachel Levine is not publicly known to be in a relationship or to have a current partner. Following her divorce from Martha Peaslee Levine, Dr. Levine has kept her personal life largely private and focuses on her professional responsibilities.
Rachel Levine Before
Before her transition, Dr. Levine lived and worked under her birth name, Richard Levine. In various interviews, she has spoken about the gradual and thoughtful nature of her transition, emphasizing her focus on authenticity and professional continuity. By 2011, she publicly identified as Rachel and has since become a visible and respected transgender leader in government and medicine.
Career in Public Service
In 2015, Dr. Levine was appointed as Pennsylvania’s Physician General. She later became Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth in 2017. As a prominent and visible public health leader, she guided Pennsylvania’s response to public health issues ranging from the opioid crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rachel Levine Leaked (Clarification)
There is no credible evidence of any legitimate “leak” involving Dr. Rachel Levine in terms of scandals or misconduct. Any claims circulating online under titles such as “Rachel Levine leaked” typically stem from misinformation, transphobic rhetoric, or internet rumors aimed at discrediting her public service. Dr. Levine has maintained a professional, scandal-free reputation throughout her decades-long medical and public health career.
Rachel Levine and Sam Brinton
Rachel Levine and Sam Brinton, another openly non-binary federal official, both gained attention as trailblazers in the U.S. government. While they have been mentioned in similar contexts—primarily regarding diversity and inclusion in federal leadership—there is no personal or professional relationship reported between them beyond serving in government at overlapping times.
Appointment as Assistant Secretary for Health and Admiral
President Joe Biden nominated Dr. Levine in February 2021 for the role of Assistant Secretary for Health. Following a confirmation hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, she was confirmed on March 24, 2021, by a 52–48 vote, with two Republican senators—Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski—joining Democrats in supporting her.
On October 19, 2021, Dr. Levine was officially commissioned as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, becoming both the first openly transgender and the first female four-star admiral in the Corps’ history.
Rachel Levine Net Worth
Dr. Rachel Levine’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $5 million, attributed to her long career in medicine, academia, and public service.
