Olivia Chow Biography: Net Worth, Age, House, Children, Spouse, Nationality

Olivia Chow is a Canadian politician and former Member of Parliament who gained popularity for her contributions to public service.

With a distinguished career in politics, she has served as the 66th mayor of Toronto since July 12, 2023.

Before her mayoral role, Chow represented Trinity—Spadina as a member of the New Democratic Party (NDP) from 2006 to 2014.

She has also held positions as a city councilor in Metro Toronto and Toronto.

Profile

Full Name: Olivia Chow
Date of Birth: March 24, 1957
Age: 66 years old
Gender: Female
Place of Birth: British Hong Kong
Nationality: Canadian
Profession: Politician
Parents: Ho Sze (father) and Wilson Wai Sun Chow (mother)
Siblings: Andre Chow
Spouse: Jack Layton (m. 1988; died 2011)
Children: N/A
Relationship Status: Widowed
Net Worth: $4 million

Early Life & Education

Olivia Chow, currently 66, was born on March 24, 1957, in British Hong Kong to parents Ho Sze and Wilson Wai Sun Chow.

She was raised alongside one brother, Andre Chow, in a middle-class family in Happy Valley, a residential area in Hong Kong.

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At 13, Chow and her family emigrated to Canada and settled in Toronto. They initially lived on the third floor of a rooming house in the Annex before moving to a high-rise unit in St. James Town.

Her father worked odd jobs to support the family, while her mother worked as a seamstress and a maid.

Chow grew up in a Chinese Baptist household and faced early challenges in her education. She struggled academically and had to repeat grade 3.

However, she eventually excelled and even skipped grade 8.

She attended Jarvis Collegiate Institute and pursued studies in fine arts at the Ontario College of Art and philosophy and religion at the University of Toronto.

She graduated with an honours bachelor of fine arts from the University of Guelph in 1979.

After graduation, Chow worked as an artist, owning a sculpture studio and creating art pieces for clients. She also taught at George Brown College’s Assaulted Women and Children Counselling and Advocacy Program for five years.

Personal Life

Olivia Chow was married to Jack Layton, a prominent Canadian politician and former leader of the New Democratic Party.

They tied the knot in 1988 and shared a loving relationship until Layton’s untimely death in 2011. The couple’s love was admired for their shared dedication to public service.

However, at the moment, it is unclear whether the couple had any children together.

Chow showed immense care for Layton during his battle with cancer, and her grace and dignity during his funeral garnered respect and admiration.

Following Layton’s passing, Chow ruled out a bid for the leadership of the NDP and remained neutral during the subsequent leadership race.

Career

Olivia Chow’s political career began in 1985 when she was elected as a Toronto school board trustee. She later transitioned to municipal politics and was elected to Metropolitan Toronto Council in 1991.

As a city councilor, Chow advocated for various causes, including homelessness, public transit, and sustainable urban development.

She gained recognition for her opposition to the proposed expansion of the Toronto Island Airport.

In 2006, Chow successfully ran for the New Democratic Party in the federal election, winning the seat for Trinity—Spadina.

She became part of a historic husband-and-wife team in Canadian parliamentary history, serving alongside her husband, Jack Layton.

During her time in the House of Commons, Chow sponsored significant motions and was involved in debates surrounding issues such as wartime sex slaves and the rights of Iraq War resisters.