Al Gore

NAME Albert Arnold Gore Jr., commonly known as Al Gore

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Former Vice President of the United States (1993–2001), environmental advocate, Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2007), and climate change leader.

BIRTH Albert Arnold Gore Jr. was born on March 31, 1948, in Washington, D.C.. His birth occurred while his father was serving as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee. The timing and location of his birth positioned him from infancy within the corridors of American political power.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Gore comes from a distinguished political family with deep Tennessee roots. His father, Albert Gore Sr., served as a U.S. Representative and later as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee for 18 years (1953-1971). His father was considered a possible vice presidential nominee in both 1956 and 1960. 

Gore's mother, Pauline LaFon Gore, was a pioneering figure in her own right, being one of the first women to graduate from Vanderbilt Law School. 

Gore is descended from Scots Irish immigrants who first settled in Virginia during the mid-17th century and moved to Tennessee after the Revolutionary War.

He had an older sister, Nancy LaFon Gore, who died of lung cancer in 1984.

CHILDHOOD Gore's childhood was uniquely divided between two distinct worlds. During the school year, he lived with his family in The Fairfax Hotel in the Embassy Row section of Washington, D.C.. During summer months, he worked on the family farm in Carthage, Tennessee, where the Gores grew tobacco and hay and raised cattle. This dual existence exposed him to both the sophisticated political environment of the nation's capital and the rural, agricultural lifestyle of Tennessee. His father was known to put young Al through grueling farm chores as a form of character building.

EDUCATION Gore attended St. Albans School, an independent college preparatory day and boarding school for boys in Washington, D.C., from 1956 to 1965. This prestigious institution served as a feeder school for the Ivy League. At St. Albans, he was captain of the football team, threw discus for the track and field team, and participated in basketball, art, and government. He graduated 25th in a class of 51.

Gore in St. Albans School's 1965 yearbook

Gore enrolled at Harvard College in 1965, initially planning to major in English and write novels but later deciding to major in government. He was elected president of the freshman student government council on his second day on campus. 

At Harvard, he was roommates with future actor Tommy Lee Jones in Dunster House. They engaged in all-American dorm antics—shooting pool, watching Star Trek, and once nearly killed an elm tree with a month-long knife-throwing contest.

Gore was an avid reader who fell in love with scientific and mathematical theories, though he did not perform well in science classes and avoided taking math. His grades placed him in the lower one-fifth of his class during his first two years at Harvard, reportedly spending much time watching television, shooting pool, and occasionally smoking marijuana. In his junior and senior years, he became more serious about his studies, earning As and Bs. 

Significantly, he took a class with oceanographer and global warming theorist Roger Revelle, who sparked Gore's interest in global warming and environmental issues. Gore earned an A on his thesis, "The Impact of Television on the Conduct of the Presidency, 1947–1969," and graduated with an A.B. cum laude in June 1969.

After returning from Vietnam, Gore attended Vanderbilt University Divinity School from 1971-1972 on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship for people planning secular careers. He later said he went there to explore "spiritual issues" and hoped "to make sense of the social injustices that seemed to challenge his religious beliefs". In 1974, he took a leave of absence from The Tennessean to attend Vanderbilt University Law School. However, Gore did not complete law school, deciding abruptly in 1976 to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (1)

CAREER RECORD 1971-1976  An investigative reporter for The Tennessean in Nashville 

1977-1985 U.S. House of Representatives: Represented Tennessee's 4th congressional district

1985-1993 U.S. Senate: Represented Tennessee 

1993-2001 Vice President of the United States

2000: Was the Democratic nominee in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, winning the popular vote but losing the electoral college to George W. Bush after a recount dispute in Florida.

2001- Since leaving office, Gore successfully transitioned to business and environmental advocacy and has become a leading advocate for climate change awareness.

APPEARANCE Al Gore is tall and has a solid build. In his younger years, he was known for his dark hair, which is now gray. His facial features are often described as classic, with a prominent chin and a serious expression.

Al Gore, Vice President of the United States, official portrait 1994

FASHION Gore's fashion is typically conservative and professional. During his time in public office, he was almost always seen in a well-tailored suit and tie. In his post-political career, he often adopts a more casual, yet still polished, style.

CHARACTER Gore is widely regarded as thoughtful, serious, and intellectually rigorous. He has a reputation for being studious and methodical in his approach to complex issues. He is also known for his passion and unwavering commitment to environmental causes.

SPEAKING VOICE Gore has a deep, resonant voice. His speaking style can be formal and sometimes perceived as monotone, but it is clear and deliberate. As a public speaker, he is known for his detailed, data-driven presentations, especially on climate change.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Al Gore has often poked fun at his own stiff public image. When he hosted Saturday Night Live, critics noted that despite his wooden reputation and lack of acting chops, he turned out to be a surprisingly solid host — much like John McCain had been earlier that season — and showed himself to be a good sport. 

He carried that same sense of humor into voice acting for Futurama, where his daughter Kristin was on the writing staff. Fans on Reddit recall that during recording sessions, Gore was so enthusiastic he was “jumping on his couch acting out the scene” — proof that he was not only game for comedy but also great fun to work with. (2)

RELATIONSHIPS Gore married Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Aitcheson at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on May 19, 1970. He described her as "someone I've loved with my whole heart since the night of my high school senior prom". 

They had four children together: Karenna (born August 6, 1973), who married Drew Schiff; Kristin (born June 5, 1977); Sarah (born January 7, 1979); and Albert III (born October 19, 1982). The couple also had at least one grandchild, Karenna and Drew's son Wyatt.

The Gores were considered a model political marriage for decades, representing stability in contrast to the tumultuous Clinton marriage. Their famous extended kiss at the 2000 Democratic National Convention became an iconic campaign moment. However, after 40 years of marriage, Al and Tipper Gore announced their separation in June 2010. The announcement came as a shock to their political circle, with the couple citing in an email to friends that they had made "a mutual and mutually supportive decision" following "a process of long and careful consideration".

Friends suggested they had simply "grown apart" as they often lived apart due to demanding travel schedules. Following their separation, both found new relationships. Al formed a relationship with Democratic and environmental activist Elizabeth Keadle, while Tipper began seeing former National Geographic editor Bill Allen. (3)

Tipper Gore 2009 by Nancy Rhoda - Provided by Tipper Gore,

MONEY AND FAME Al Gore was born into privilege — his father’s political career and business interests ensured the family’s financial stability. But his own fortune came later. When he left the White House in 2001, public disclosures put his assets somewhere between $780,000 and $1.9 million, mostly tied up in family land and Tennessee stock holdings. Today, his net worth is estimated at around $300 million — a dramatic financial transformation from career politician to wealthy businessman.

A big part of that story is Generation Investment Management, the sustainable investment firm he co-founded in 2004, which now oversees about $25 billion in assets. As chairman, Gore earns roughly $2 million a month, and the firm holds positions in giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Charles Schwab, and Deere & Co. He also co-founded Current TV in 2002, selling it to Al Jazeera for $500 million in 2013 — a deal that personally netted him between $70 and $100 million.

Technology has also been lucrative for Gore. He sat on Apple’s board of directors from 2003 to 2024, earning $377,000 annually, and once held 100,000 Apple shares, cashing in 59,000 of them in 2013 for about $30 million. Add to that speaking fees of about $200,000 per event, and it’s clear why his wealth soared.

Gore’s real estate portfolio reflects his financial success: a $3 million San Francisco condo, a $7.5 million Nashville colonial, a $13 million Montecito villa, and his longtime Arlington, Virginia residence valued at over $3 million. His business acumen, combined with environmental advocacy and tech connections, turned him into one of the wealthiest former politicians in America.

FOOD AND DRINK Al Gore follows a vegan diet. He made the switch in late 2013, eliminating all animal products from his meals. Gore’s decision appears to have been motivated primarily by his desire for consistency with his environmental message, as raising livestock contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Although he initially made the change to "experiment and see what it was like," he reported feeling better and has continued with it ever since.

Before going vegan, he had publicly discussed the environmental impact of animal agriculture and began cutting back on meat consumption since at least 2009. Gore’s example parallels that of his former boss, President Bill Clinton, who also adopted a plant-based diet.

MUSIC AND ARTS Al Gore has a deep appreciation for the arts and media, a passion he shares with his family. He enjoys both country and rock music and has attended various cultural events throughout his career. While attending St. Albans School, he participated in art.

His involvement in media extends beyond a passive appreciation. He co-founded Current TV, an independent news and documentary channel, and won an Oscar for his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. He even ventured into voice acting, lending his voice to the animated show Futurama, where his daughter Kristin worked as a writer.

Gore's family has also played a significant role in the cultural conversation. His former wife, Tipper Gore, co-founded the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). Triggered by the Prince song "Darling Nikki," the group advocated for a ratings system for music albums and concerts. This led to a contentious congressional hearing on September 19, 1985, where musicians like Frank Zappa and John Denver testified against what they saw as censorship. The PMRC's efforts ultimately led to the now-familiar "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics" warning stickers on albums. (4)

Gore with the PMRC in 1985

LITERATURE  Initially at Harvard, he planned to major in English and write novels before switching to government. He was an avid reader there who fell in love with scientific and mathematical theories.

Gore authored his Harvard thesis on "The Impact of Television on the Conduct of the Presidency, 1947–1969," earning an A. He is a prolific author., whose notable books include Earth in the Balance (1992) and An Inconvenient Truth (2006)

NATURE Al Gore’s bond with nature began with his childhood summers on the family farm in Tennessee, where he absorbed the rhythms of agricultural life and rural landscapes. That early connection blossomed into a lifelong environmental passion. As a Harvard senior, Gore studied under oceanographer Roger Revelle, one of the first scientists to warn about global warming — a class that profoundly shaped his worldview.

After politics, Gore made the environment his defining mission. He became a leading voice in the fight against climate change, work that earned him the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Through Generation Investment Management, the firm he co-founded, he championed sustainable investing, proving that environmentally responsible businesses can also be financially successful. Gore’s career transformation underscores how his personal love of the natural world evolved into a professional crusade that redefined his legacy.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Al Gore has long been active in sports and fitness. At St. Albans, he captained the football team, competed in track and field as a discus thrower, and also played basketball. At Harvard, he joined the freshman basketball squad as a reserve guard (1965–66), remembered for his unconventional shooting style.

As an adult, Gore became serious about physical fitness. By 2000, he was running hard every morning and weight training, building what one account described as “a marathoner’s constitution.” (5)

His hobbies have ranged from painting to water-skiing. 

SCIENCE AND MATHS Gore has a keen interest in science, particularly climate science. His work on global warming is heavily based on scientific data and research. He has a solid understanding of complex scientific concepts

ENVIRONMENTALISM Al Gore has managed the unusual feat of being both a career politician and the world’s most persistent worrier-in-chief about the fate of the planet. His interest in environmental matters goes back to his youth, when he read Silent Spring and began to suspect that all was not well with the world. By the time he reached Harvard, a course with Professor Roger Revelle—who was practically the Paul Revere of global warming—had him firmly hooked on the idea that the climate was going to be humanity’s biggest headache.

In Congress, Gore was the sort of earnest young legislator who actually held hearings on things like toxic waste and greenhouse gases while everyone else was still arguing about tax cuts and missile defense. By 1976 he was staging the very first Congressional inquiries into climate change, and by the 1980s he had become Capitol Hill’s resident canary in the coal mine.

As Vice President, he continued in much the same fashion—only now with a motorcade. He launched the GLOBE Program to get schoolchildren measuring rainfall and counting bugs, pushed hard for America to join the Kyoto Protocol, and even floated the radical idea of a carbon tax. He was also behind an ambitious plan to stick a climate-monitoring satellite a million miles out in space, which, frankly, sounds like something Wile E. Coyote might have thought up if he had been an environmentalist.

Leaving office in 2001 only gave Gore more time to become what he already essentially was: a full-time climate crusader. His documentary An Inconvenient Truth (2006) not only won an Oscar but made the phrase “climate change” unavoidable at dinner parties. A year later, he collected a Nobel Peace Prize, putting him in the very small club of people (along with George Bernard Shaw, improbably enough) who have both an Oscar and a Nobel.

Nor did he stop there. He co-founded Generation Investment Management, proving that you could actually make money by investing in companies that weren’t actively destroying the planet. He set up the Climate Reality Project to train activists, launched Climate TRACE to track global emissions with artificial intelligence, and generally made himself unavoidable at climate summits everywhere from Davos to Dubai. He even helped put together the Live Earth concerts, on the premise that a little rock ’n’ roll might succeed where sober congressional hearings had not.

And just to show he meant it, Gore retooled his own lifestyle, embracing a vegan diet and other sustainable choices. Half a century after that first teenage jolt of environmental awareness, he remains both impressively informed and, in the best possible way, stubbornly relentless. If there is a man more determined to save the planet, one rather suspects he is still in school reading Silent Spring.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY  Al Gore was raised in a Baptist family—his father was Baptist, and his mother belonged to the Church of Christ. Gore has described himself as a "born-again Christian," first making a commitment to Jesus as a child and then again at age 21. He and his wife Tipper were baptized together during his years in Congress. Gore has cited faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation of his work, especially his environmental work, and has openly acknowledged the centrality of faith in his life and belief system.

His spiritual journey has included Baptist, Presbyterian, and other Christian traditions, as well as personal exploration through study at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Gore connects his environmental activism to his faith, believing that caring for creation honors God. Although he no longer regularly attends church, faith and prayer remain important in his personal life. (6)

PRESIDENTIAL RUNS AND VICE PRESIDENCY Al Gore’s political journey is something of a study in near-misses and steadfast perseverance. He spent eight years as Vice President under Bill Clinton (1993–2001), during which he was anything but a ceremonial figurehead. Gore threw himself into the job with gusto, advising on everything from technology and the economy to environmental policy. He even got his fingerprints on initiatives like “reinventing government” and played a key role in popularizing the internet, back when it still seemed slightly magical to most Americans. In short, he was the policy wonk’s policy wonk: top adviser, cabinet consultant, president of the Senate, and the person you wanted if you actually cared about substance.

Gore’s first presidential run in 1988 was a modest affair. He carried seven states in the Democratic primaries, only to finish third behind Michael Dukakis and Jesse Jackson. After Super Tuesday setbacks and some campaign controversy, he gracefully bowed out.

The 2000 campaign, however, was a whole other story. Announcing in his hometown of Carthage, Tennessee, Gore pitched a platform centered on strengthening families, healthcare, and the economy. He steamrolled Democratic primaries, defeated Bill Bradley, and picked Senator Joe Lieberman as his running mate—the first Jewish American on a major national ticket.

The general election against George W. Bush was nail-biting. Florida became the epicenter of national attention, with its disputed vote count deciding the presidency. Gore won the popular vote by more than 500,000 ballots but ultimately lost the Electoral College when the Supreme Court halted the Florida recount. Bush claimed 271 electoral votes to Gore’s 266, making the 2000 election one of the most dramatic and controversial in American history.

Gore’s campaign earned praise for discipline and a commanding grasp of the issues, though critics sometimes found him stiff or too serious in comparison to Clinton’s charisma. When the Florida debacle finally concluded, he conceded graciously, ending his pursuit of elected office. Since then, he has devoted himself entirely to environmental activism and public advocacy—still passionate, still persistent, and now largely free from the peculiar travails of politics.

POLITICS Al Gore is not the sort of politician who dazzles with charm or effortless charisma. Where Bill Clinton seems to glide through the room, Gore “trudges, earthbound,” tackling politics more as a meticulous experiment than a soaring art form. He does not approach public life instinctively and has often wrestled with whether the spotlight is really for him. What he does have, however, is preparation down to a science—he leaves almost nothing to chance and thrives on rigor, timing, and detail.

Politics, in Gore’s case, was almost a family inheritance. His father, Albert Gore Sr., served as both a Representative and Senator from Tennessee and leaned liberal on contentious issues like the Vietnam War and Civil Rights—a stance that cost him his seat in 1970. Following in his father’s footsteps, Gore launched his own political career in 1976 as a Democrat representing Tennessee in the House of Representatives, where he served until 1985. He then moved on to the Senate, remaining there until 1993. Notably, he was one of just ten Democratic senators to vote in favor of authorizing American military action in the 1991 Persian Gulf War—a centrist move that reflected his pragmatic approach. His combination of Southern sensibilities, measured judgment, and policy expertise made him a natural choice as Bill Clinton’s running mate in 1992.

SCANDAL While Gore has largely maintained a clean public image, there have been some controversies. In 2007, public records revealed that the energy consumption at his Nashville home was 20 times the national average, creating a contradiction with his environmental advocacy. This drew criticism about the disconnect between his climate message and personal consumption. The South Park creators parodied his environmental activism, initially portraying him as an alarmist warning about the fictional "ManBearPig," though they later apologized when climate change became undeniably serious. 

His son Albert III was arrested for possessing marijuana at St. Albans, the same school his father had attended.

Aa an investigative reporter for The Tennessean in Nashville from 1971-1976, Gore's investigations of corruption among members of Nashville's Metro Council resulted in the arrest and prosecution of two councilmen for separate offenses.

MILITARY RECORD Despite opposing the Vietnam War, Gore's sense of civic duty compelled him to enlist in the U.S. Army in August 1969. After enlisting, he returned to Harvard in his military uniform to say goodbye to his adviser and was "jeered" at by students, later describing being met with "emotional field of negativity and disapproval and piercing glances that certainly felt like real hatred". He had basic training at Fort Dix from August to October 1969, then was assigned as a military journalist at Fort Rucker, Alabama. In April 1970, he was named Rucker's "Soldier of the Month".

His orders to Vietnam were initially "held up," with the Gore family suspecting this was due to Nixon administration fears that if something happened to him, his father would gain sympathy votes. He was finally shipped to Vietnam on January 2, 1971, after his father lost his Senate seat in the 1970 election. Gore served with the 20th Engineer Brigade in Biên Hòa and was a journalist with The Castle Courier. He became one of only about a dozen of the 1,115 Harvard graduates in his all-male Class of '69 who went to Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge from the Army in May 1971. Of his military service, Gore later stated, "I didn't do the most, or run the gravest danger. But I was proud to wear my country's uniform". (7)

Gore with the 20th Engineer Brigade in Biên Hòa as a journalist with The Castle Courier

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Gore has been open about his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and a vegetarian diet.

HOMES Al Gore has built a striking real estate portfolio that spans coast to coast. Among his holdings is a $3 million condo in San Francisco’s Regis Building, situated close to many of his investment interests. In Nashville, he owns a stately colonial home valued at $7.5 million, while his most lavish property is a $13 million Mediterranean-style estate in Montecito, California. Gore also maintains a residence in Arlington, Virginia, worth over $3 million, which he has listed for rent at $9,000 a month. His Nashville home sparked controversy in 2007 when records showed it was consuming about 20 times more energy than the average American household.

TRAVEL Al Gore’s career has kept him constantly on the move. As Vice President, his duties took him across the U.S. and around the globe on official missions. After leaving office, his environmental advocacy carried him even further, with worldwide speaking engagements on climate change—often commanding fees of around $200,000 per appearance. 

His business ventures, including Generation Investment Management, have also meant frequent trips between his various bases in Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and California, as well as abroad. 

In recent years, friends have observed that Gore has made Silicon Valley a hub of his business and political activity, traveling there often for investment meetings and climate-focused fundraising.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Gore's most notable media appearance is his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, which won an Academy Award. He has also appeared on various news and talk shows.

Gore hosted Saturday Night Live, which included a memorable backstage segment with his wife Tipper that parodied their famous extended kiss from the 2000 Democratic Convention. He also provided voice acting for Futurama, where his daughter Kristin worked as a writer. 

Gore has been extensively parodied in South Park, where he appears as a character warning about the fictional creature "ManBearPig," representing the creators' initial skepticism about environmental alarmism. However, in later episodes, ManBearPig proved real, leading to an apology to Gore as the show acknowledged the validity of climate change warnings. 

He co-founded Current TV in 2002, which was later sold to Al Jazeera for $500 million.

ACHIEVEMENTS Vice President (1993–2001)

Nobel Peace Prize (2007) for climate activism

Influential figure in global environmental policy

Led creation of Parental Advisory music labels through spouse’s activism

Sources (1) CNN (2) Reddit (3) Politico (4) Encyclopaedia of Trivia (5) LA Times (6) Charisma (7) New York Times