Janet Mills Net Worth: How Rich Is First Female Governor of Maine?

Janet Mills has spent her life breaking barriers and making history. As the first female governor of Maine, she has paved the way for women in leadership while championing policies that put the people of Maine first. From her early days as a young lawyer to her current role as governor, Mills’ journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and dedication to public service. But who is Janet Mills beyond politics? Let’s take a deeper dive into her life, family, career, and net worth in 2025.

Early Life and Education: A Passion for Justice

Born on December 30, 1947, in Farmington, Maine, Janet Trafton Mills grew up in a household where public service was a way of life. Her father, Sumner Peter Mills Jr., was a U.S. Attorney and state legislator, and her mother, Katherine Louise (Coffin) Mills, was a schoolteacher. With four grandparents who also held public office, Mills was naturally drawn to civic duty from an early age.

Despite facing a major health challenge as a teenager—spending nearly a year bedridden in a full-body cast due to severe scoliosis—Mills never let adversity hold her back. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1965 and later pursued higher education at Colby College, UMass Boston, and the University of Maine School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 1976.

Family Life: Love, Loss, and Resilience

In 1985, Janet Mills married Stanley Kuklinski, a widower with five daughters. She embraced her role as a stepmother and formed a particularly close bond with Lisl, who was just four years old when Mills joined the family.

Tragically, Mills lost her husband in 2014 after he suffered a stroke. Despite this heartbreaking loss, she continued to lean on her family in Farmington and stayed committed to the work that defined her career. She also remains a strong support system for her brother, David, who has battled severe mental illness for much of his life.

Career: Making History and Driving Change

Janet Mills has spent decades in public service, achieving numerous firsts along the way.

  • 1980: First female district attorney in Maine, serving Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties.
  • 2002: Elected to the Maine House of Representatives, focusing on criminal justice and budgetary reforms.
  • 2008: Becomes Maine’s first female Attorney General, serving two terms.
  • 2019: Elected Governor of Maine, making history as the state’s first female governor.

As governor, Mills has expanded healthcare access to over 100,000 Maine residents, successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritized education funding and environmental policies.

She has also been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, signing a bill to ban conversion therapy and implementing progressive environmental policies like banning single-use plastic bags and styrofoam containers.

Net Worth in 2025: A Life Dedicated to Service

While Janet Mills’ career has been focused on public service rather than financial gain, she has accumulated a modest net worth of approximately $1.5 million as of 2025. Her assets include her family home in Farmington and her state salary as governor. Unlike many politicians, Mills’ true wealth lies in her legacy of leadership, perseverance, and commitment to the people of Maine.

At 77 years old, Janet Mills continues to lead Maine with passion and dedication. Whether advocating for affordable healthcare, environmental sustainability, or social justice, she remains a powerful force for progress. Her journey—from a young girl in Farmington to the Governor’s office—is an inspiration for future leaders, proving that resilience, integrity, and commitment to service can change the world.

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