Tammy Duckworth Height, Weight, Religion, Net Worth, Age, Biography

About (Profile/Biography):
Tammy Duckworth (born March 12, 1968, Bangkok) is a Thai American U.S. Senator from Illinois since 2017. A retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, she piloted Black Hawk helicopters in Iraq and in 2004 lost both legs and part of her right arm when her aircraft was hit by an RPG. Tammy earned a Purple Heart and served another decade before retiring in 2014. She previously served in the House (2013–17), was Assistant Secretary at the VA under Obama, and directed Illinois Veterans Affairs. She became the first senator to give birth while in office in 2018, championing family friendly policies. Tammy is fluent in Thai and Indonesian, a tireless advocate for veterans, reproductive freedoms including IVF, disability rights, and infrastructure and environmental justice initiatives.
Early Life & Education of Tammy Duckworth
• She spent childhood in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Hawaii, experiencing poverty and reliance on food stamps at times.
• Tammy earned a B.A. from University of Hawaii (1989) and M.A. in International Affairs from GWU (1992).
• She later pursued a Ph.D. at Northern Illinois University and received an honorary doctorate in 2017.
Military Service of Tammy Duckworth
• Tammy joined Army Reserve ROTC and became one of the first female Black Hawk pilots deployed to Iraq in 2004.
• Her aircraft was hit by an RPG; she lost both legs and partial use of her right arm during that mission.
• She continued serving until retiring as Lieutenant Colonel in Illinois National Guard in 2014.
Political Career of Tammy Duckworth
• Tammy served as Illinois Veterans Affairs Director (2006–09) then Obama’s VA Assistant Secretary (2009–11).
• She won her House seat in 2012, serving two terms before being elected senator in 2016.
• Tammy sits on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Commerce and Veterans’ Affairs committees.
Major Recognition & Awards received by Tammy Duckworth
• She received the Purple Heart, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal for combat service in Iraq.
• Tammy was honored by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as among most effective Democratic senators in multiple Congresses.
• She received Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Order of the Crown of Thailand for her service and heritage.
Controversy around Tammy Duckworth
• Senator Duckworth vocally opposed Pete Hegseth’s nomination for Department of Defense leadership in 2025 citing his lack of qualifications.
• She pushed back against criticism from military base renaming debates where she challenged partisan culture-warism.
• Tammy has faced partisan backlash over IVF advocacy and reproductive rights legislation in advancing the NDAA.
Lesser Known Facts about Tammy Duckworth
• Tammy hides her phone or Sour Patch Kids candy in her prosthetic leg during a 2016 House sit-in to evade confiscation.
• She annually celebrates November 12 with the crew who saved her life to honor the day she nearly died.
• Tammy is fluent in Thai and Indonesian and has completed multiple marathons using a recumbent hand cycle.