Who is Dr Cornel West? How Old is Cornel West?
by Sona
Updated Jun 06, 2023
Who is Dr Cornel West?
Dr. Cornel West, born on June 2, 1953, is a renowned American philosopher, political activist, social critic, actor, and public intellectual. With a diverse background, including being the grandson of a Baptist minister, Dr. West focuses on examining the intersections of race, gender, and class in American society.
He is known for his socialist views and draws inspiration from various traditions, such as Christianity, the Black church, Marxism, neopragmatism, and transcendentalism. His influential books, including "Race Matters" and "Democracy Matters," shed light on important societal issues.
Dr. West has held prestigious professorships and fellowships at esteemed institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University, among others. He is a prominent figure in left-wing politics and frequently expresses his views in various media outlets. Notably, he co-hosted the radio program "Smiley and West" with Tavis Smiley and has appeared in documentaries and Hollywood films, including the "Matrix" series.
Dr. West's spoken word and hip hop albums have garnered recognition, and he is known for his thought-provoking conversations with individuals from different ideological backgrounds. His contributions to critical thinking during the COVID-19 era have been acknowledged by Prospect magazine. Dr. Cornel West's intellectual curiosity and multidimensional career have made him a highly respected figure in academia, activism, and public discourse.
How Old is Cornel West?
Cornel Ronald West, born on June 2, 1953, is currently 70 years old. Cornel Ronald West, a prominent figure in American intellectual and social spheres, is known for his contributions as a philosopher, political activist, social critic, actor, and public intellectual. Born on June 2, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he has dedicated his career to exploring various social issues, including gender, racism, and socioeconomic class.
Dr. West has authored several highly acclaimed works, such as "Democracy Matters" (2004) and "Race Matters" (1994), which have solidified his reputation as a profound thinker. His influence extends beyond academia, as he is recognized as a national cultural figure.
Cornel West Wife
Cornel West has had a total of five marriages throughout his life. His first wife was Hilda Holloman, whom he married in 1977. They later divorced. From 1981 to 1986, he was married to Ramona Santiago. In 1992, he married Elleni Gebre Amlak, but they also eventually divorced.
Furthermore, he was married to Leslie Kotkin from 2016 to 2018. Most recently, in 2021, he married Annahita Mahdavi. From his various marriages, he has a son named Clifton and a daughter named Dilan Zeytun West, both born in the year 2000.
Cornel West for President
Cornel West, the renowned activist, intellectual, and democratic socialist, has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. At the age of 70, West declared his intention to run as a candidate for the People's Party, emphasizing his commitment to truth and justice.
In a video shared on Twitter, he highlighted his concerns for the well-being of the American people, focusing on issues such as job security, affordable housing, reproductive rights, and universal healthcare. His campaign website outlines a comprehensive platform that includes policies such as Medicare for All, an end to corporate lobbying, and the abolition of student debt.
With his background as a professor at prestigious universities, West brings both academic expertise and a strong history of social activism to his presidential bid. West's decision to run for president follows his resignation from Harvard's divinity school in 2021, adding to the significance of his campaign.
As the 2024 election approaches, his candidacy under the People's Party aims to reintroduce America to its core values while advocating for progressive and transformative change.
Cornel West Biography
Cornel West was born on June 2, 1953, and Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dr. West's upbringing shaped his perspective on societal matters. His father, Clifton Louis West Jr., worked as a general contractor for the Department of Defense. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he completed his high school education in 1970 and embarked on his academic journey at the esteemed Harvard University.
There, he achieved remarkable academic success, earning magna cum laude honors in Near Eastern languages and civilization. Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, Dr. West pursued a Ph.D. at Princeton University, further establishing his intellectual prowess. In 1980, he made history as the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University, a remarkable achievement that solidified his scholarly legacy.
His diverse background and extensive educational achievements have contributed to his multifaceted approach to addressing societal issues and engaging in transformative dialogue.
Name
Cornel West
Full Name
Cornel Ronald West
Gender
Male
Age
70 years old
Birth Date
2 June 1953
Birth Place
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America
Nationality
American
Height
1.88 m
Weight
75 kg
Marital Status:
Married
Spouse:
Annahita Mahdavi (m. 2021), Leslie Kotkin (m. 2015–2018), Ramona Santiago (m. 1981–1986)
Children
Clifton West, Dilan Zeytun West
Profession
Philosopher, political activist, social critic, actor
Salary
$80,000
Net Worth (2023)
$1 million
SPECIFICATION
DETAILS
Cornel West Early Life and Career
Cornel West was born on June 2, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and grew up in Sacramento, California. His parents, Irene Rayshell and Clifton Louis West Jr., had notable professions in education and defense contracting, respectively. His grandfather was a pastor, further influencing his upbringing.
West attended John F. Kennedy High School, where he actively participated in civil rights demonstrations and advocated for the inclusion of black studies courses. In 1970, West embarked on his higher education journey at Harvard College, where he studied under influential philosophers such as Robert Nozick and Stanley Cavell.
He graduated magna cum laude in 1973, majoring in Near Eastern languages and civilization. Harvard exposed West to diverse intellectual perspectives, including those of his professors and the Black Panther Party. While he admired the militancy of figures like Malcolm X and the Black Panther Party, his Christian beliefs led him to engage in local social programs instead.
Continuing his academic pursuits, West pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at Princeton University, completing his studies in 1980. His dissertation, supervised by Raymond Geuss and Sheldon Wolin, explored ethics, historicism, and the Marxist tradition. Notably, he became the first African American to earn a PhD in philosophy from Princeton.
Throughout his career, West was influenced by neopragmatism, particularly the ideas of Richard Rorty, who remained a close friend and colleague. He published his dissertation as a book titled "The Ethical Dimensions of Marxist Thought" and delved into the academic world as a professor of African-American studies at Harvard University in 1994.
He also held a position at the Harvard Divinity School and was later appointed as the first Alphonse Fletcher University Professor. West's connection with Princeton University remained strong, and he returned to the institution in 2002. He played a significant role in establishing a renowned center for African-American studies at Princeton.
In 2012, he transitioned to Union Theological Seminary, while maintaining his affiliation as Professor Emeritus at Princeton. However, in 2016, he announced his return to Harvard University. Aside from his academic contributions, West has ventured into the realm of entertainment, appearing in movies and television productions.
Notably, he portrayed Councillor West in the popular Matrix film franchise. His published works, including the influential book "Race Matters" released in 1993, address a wide range of social and scientific issues.
Who is Dr Cornel West - FAQs
Dr. Cornel West is an American philosopher, political activist, social critic, actor, and public intellectual.
Cornel Ronald West, born on June 2, 1953, is currently 70 years old.
Cornel West is the Class of 1943 University Professor of Religion and African American Studies at Princeton University. In addition, he is a prominent democratic intellectual, philosopher, activist, and author.
Cornel West has had a total of five marriages throughout his life.
Cоrnеl Wеst’s net worth is $1 million, he is a photographer, author, social critic, political activist, and actor Based in Klаhоmа, the United States of America.