Leonard Peltier Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Career, Family, Relationships

Leonard Peltier, born on September 12, 1944, in Belcourt, North Dakota, is a Native American activist and prominent member of the American Indian Movement (AIM). As of 2025, he is 80 years old. Peltier became widely known for his controversial conviction in the murder of two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Despite his conviction, Peltier has consistently denied killing the agents, claiming his involvement was limited.

His case has attracted significant attention from human rights organizations, political leaders, and international figures, including Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, and the Dalai Lama, who have called for his release. After spending nearly five decades in prison, President Joe Biden commuted his sentence to indefinite house arrest in January 2025.

In this article, we will explore in-depth details about Leonard Peltier, including his age, height, weight, career, net worth, early life, family, relationships, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts, among other topics. This comprehensive biography covers everything you need to know about Leonard Peltier’s life, career milestones, and the controversies surrounding his imprisonment. Our main focus will also include Leonard Peltier’s net worth and income sources to help readers understand his financial status.

Leonard Peltier Short Details

Early Life and Career

Leonard Peltier was born on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota. Of Lakota, Dakota, and Anishinaabe descent, he was raised among the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Fort Totten Sioux Nations. His early life was marked by hardship; his parents divorced when he was just four years old, and he was raised by his paternal grandparents.

In 1953, he attended the Wahpeton Indian School, an institution known for its forced assimilation policies toward Native American children. Later, he attended Flandreau Indian School before dropping out after the ninth grade. Despite these challenges, Peltier later obtained his GED, marking the beginning of his journey toward activism.

Activism and Involvement in AIM

Peltier’s activist career took shape when he moved to Seattle, Washington in 1965. There, he worked as a welder and construction worker, eventually co-owning an auto shop that doubled as a halfway house for American Indians struggling with addiction and reintegration into society.

Peltier’s association with the American Indian Movement (AIM) began in the early 1970s. AIM fought for Native American civil rights, addressing issues such as police brutality and systemic racism. Peltier officially joined AIM in 1972 and became deeply involved in activism, notably participating in the Wounded Knee Occupation in 1973.

The Pine Ridge Incident and Legal Battles

In 1975, Peltier traveled to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation amidst growing tensions between traditional Lakota tribespeople and Richard Wilson’s private militia, the Guardians of the Oglala Nation (GOON). The confrontation between AIM members and FBI agents on June 26, 1975, led to the deaths of two agents, resulting in Peltier’s arrest and conviction.

Despite his conviction, Peltier has continued to maintain his innocence. The case remains controversial due to alleged misconduct by the FBI, leading to global campaigns demanding his release. After multiple denied parole hearings and clemency requests, President Joe Biden commuted his sentence in January 2025, allowing Peltier to return home under house arrest.

Family and Relationships

Leonard Peltier has a large family, including nine children from two marriages and two adopted children. His family has been active in advocating for his release throughout his imprisonment.

Family Details

Physical Appearance

Leonard Peltier’s appearance reflects his Native American heritage. He has gray hair and facial features indicative of his Lakota, Dakota, and Anishinaabe roots. Over the years, his health has significantly declined due to prolonged incarceration.

Physical Attributes

Leonard Peltier Net Worth and Income Sources (Updated 2025)

As of 2025, Leonard Peltier’s estimated net worth is $500,000. Given his long-term imprisonment, Peltier’s primary sources of income are limited. However, he has earned income through the sales of his memoir, Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance, and royalties from documentaries and media appearances discussing his life and activism.

Net Worth and Income Details

Lesser-Known Facts About Leonard Peltier

1. Leonard Peltier ran for President of the United States in 2004, representing the Peace and Freedom Party.
2. In 2020, he was nominated for Vice President on the Party for Socialism and Liberation ticket.
3. His memoir, Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance, has been translated into several languages.
4. He uses the Lakota name Tate WiWikuwa, meaning “Wind Chases the Sun.”
5. Leonard Peltier has been recognized as a political prisoner by Amnesty International.
6. He spent 48 years in prison before being granted house arrest in 2025.
7. His case has been supported by global icons like Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa.
8. Peltier suffered significant health issues in prison, including diabetes and kidney disease.
9. He was once listed among the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
10. The song “Leonard Peltier” by Little Steven was dedicated to him.

FAQs About Leonard Peltier

1. Q: What is Leonard Peltier’s age in 2025?
   A: Leonard Peltier is 80 years old as of 2025.
2. Q: Why is Leonard Peltier famous?
   A: He is known for his activism with the American Indian Movement (AIM) and his controversial conviction related to the 1975 Pine Ridge shootout.
3. Q: What is Leonard Peltier’s net worth?
   A: His estimated net worth in 2025 is $500,000.
4. Q: Has Leonard Peltier been released from prison?
   A: Yes, his sentence was commuted to house arrest by President Joe Biden in 2025.
5. Q: What book did Leonard Peltier write?
   A: He authored Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance.
6. Q: How many children does Leonard Peltier have?
   A: He has nine children and has adopted two more.
7. Q: Did Leonard Peltier run for political office?
   A: Yes, he ran for President in 2004 and was nominated for Vice President in 2020.
8. Q: What are Leonard Peltier’s health issues?
   A: He suffers from diabetes, kidney disease, and other age-related health conditions.
9. Q: What is Leonard Peltier’s nationality?
   A: He is American.
10. Q: What organizations support Leonard Peltier?
    A: Organizations such as Amnesty International, the United Nations, and several Indigenous rights groups have supported him.

Conclusion

Leonard Peltier remains a powerful symbol of the Native American civil rights movement and the struggle for justice and Indigenous sovereignty. After serving nearly 50 years in prison, his release in 2025 marks a significant chapter in his life. Peltier’s story continues to inspire discussions on human rights, justice, and the treatment of Indigenous peoples in the United States. His net worth, estimated at $500,000, reflects income from his writings, documentaries, and activism. Despite the controversies surrounding his conviction, Peltier’s legacy as a resilient activist and advocate for Native American rights endures.

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“NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify the details independently from reliable sources.”