Early Life and Education

Robert Swan Mueller III was born on August 7, 1944, in New York City and raised in the Philadelphia suburb of Princeton, New Jersey. He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, a prestigious preparatory school, where he captained the soccer, lacrosse, and hockey teams. Among his teammates on the hockey squad was future U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Mueller earned a bachelor's degree in politics from Princeton University in 1966. He then received a master’s degree in international relations from New York University the following year. After completing his graduate studies, Mueller served with distinction as a Marine Corps officer in the Vietnam War. His service earned him several military honors, including the Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Following his military service, Mueller earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973, where he served on the Virginia Law Review.

FBI Leadership and the Special Counsel Investigation

Robert Mueller held numerous positions as a federal prosecutor before being appointed Director of the FBI by President George W. Bush in 2001. He served in that role for 12 years, notably during the September 11 attacks, becoming the longest-serving FBI director since J. Edgar Hoover.

In May 2017, Mueller was appointed Special Counsel by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. His task was to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as related matters, including any links or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with Donald Trump's campaign.

In July 2019, Mueller testified before Congress regarding his nearly two-year investigation. During his testimony, he reaffirmed that the Russian government made concerted efforts to aid Trump’s candidacy and that members of Trump’s campaign welcomed those efforts. He also described President Trump’s support of WikiLeaks as “problematic.” However, Mueller did not present any new major revelations beyond what was already documented in his 448-page report, released in April 2019. As a result, the testimony did not significantly shift the political landscape regarding impeachment proceedings at the time.

Marriage and Family Life

Robert Mueller is married to Ann Cabell Standish. The couple met in high school and married in 1966. They have two daughters, Cynthia and Melissa. Notably, Mueller met his daughter Cynthia for the first time during a meeting with Ann in Hawaii in 1969, while he was serving overseas in Vietnam.

Throughout the years, Robert Mueller and his wife have maintained a relatively private life, often seen together dining at local restaurants in Washington, D.C.—a city they have long called home. One such occasion following the release of the Special Counsel’s report saw the couple dining at Salt and Pepper in the Palisades neighborhood.

Net Worth and Legacy

Robert Mueller’s net worth is estimated to be in the range of several million dollars, largely from his government salary, private legal practice, and roles in the private sector. He has also taught at Stanford University and served in advisory capacities in various government and nonprofit organizations.

Mueller is widely respected for his disciplined, methodical approach to law enforcement and public service. His work as Special Counsel placed him at the center of one of the most consequential political investigations in modern American history, further solidifying his reputation as a meticulous legal mind dedicated to the rule of law.