Bernie Sanders Family Tree: The Story Behind America's Democratic Socialist

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders, born 8 September 1941 in Brooklyn, New York City, USA, is a US politician — US Senator from Vermont (2007–present); US Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); former Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–89); 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential primary candidate.

The Family's Roots: A Polish-Jewish Brooklyn Family

The Sanders family is Polish-Jewish; father emigrated from Słopnice, Poland.

His Parents

Father: Eli Sanders (1904–1962) — paint salesman; emigrated from Słopnice (Galicia/Poland) in 1921; lost most of his Polish family in the Holocaust.

Mother: Dorothy "Dora" Glassberg Sanders (1912–1959) — Polish-Jewish New York-born; died from heart-related complications.

His Brother

Larry Sanders, born 1934 — Bernie's elder brother; lives in the UK; member of the UK Green Party since 2006; ran for British Parliament.

His First Wife: Deborah Shiling

Deborah Shiling Messing — married Bernie in 1964; divorced 1966.

His Partner: Susan Mott

Susan Mott — Bernie's partner in late 1960s; mother of his son Levi.

Son with Susan

Levi Sanders, born 1969 — son; activist; ran for US Congress (NH, 2018).

His Wife: Jane O'Meara

Mary Jane "Jane" O'Meara Driscoll Sanders, born 27 March 1950 — formerly President of Burlington College. Married Bernie on 28 May 1988.

Step-children via Jane

Heather Driscoll; Carina Driscoll; Dave Driscoll — Jane's three children from her first marriage.

The Sanders Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Eli Sanders (1904–1962) — Polish-Jewish paint salesman.

Mother: Dorothy Glassberg Sanders (1912–1959).

Brother: Larry Sanders (b. 1934) — UK Green Party.

First Wife: Deborah Shiling (m. 1964, div. 1966).

Partner: Susan Mott (late 1960s).

Son: Levi Sanders (b. 1969).

Wife: Jane O'Meara Driscoll Sanders (b. 27 March 1950; m. 28 May 1988).

Stepchildren: Heather, Carina, Dave Driscoll.

Bernie Sanders:

  • Born 8 September 1941, Brooklyn
  • James Madison High School (Brooklyn); Brooklyn College; University of Chicago (BA Political Science 1964)
  • Civil rights activist; arrested at Chicago school segregation protest 1963
  • Moved to Vermont 1968
  • Mayor of Burlington, Vermont: 1981–89 (4 terms)
  • US Representative: 1991–2007 (longest-serving Independent member of US House)
  • US Senator (Vermont): from 2007 (Independent caucusing with Democrats)
  • 2016 Democratic presidential primary: 2nd to Hillary Clinton
  • 2020 Democratic presidential primary: 2nd to Joe Biden
  • Self-described democratic socialist — major influence on millennial-Gen Z American left
  • Author: Outsider in the House (1997); Our Revolution (2016); It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism (2023)

What the Sanders Family Story Teaches Us

A Polish-Jewish paint-salesman father who lost most of his family in the Holocaust. A mother who died at 46. A brother in the UK Green Party. A first brief marriage. A son from a partner. A second 37-year marriage with three stepchildren. A career that brought democratic socialism into mainstream US politics.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Bernie story carries the same lesson. Some families carry Holocaust-era loss into one generation and political activism into the next.

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