Senator Chuck Schumer‘s family is a significant part of his personal and professional life, reflecting both his political journey and personal values. His wife, Iris Weinshall, has been a steady partner for over four decades. They met when they were in their twenties, both involved in local political activism.
Iris, who is originally from Brooklyn, has had an accomplished career in public service. She served as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2000 to 2007, and later worked at the City University of New York as the Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management. In 2014, she became the Chief Operating Officer at the New York Public Library, where she manages substantial budgets and capital projects. Despite their busy professional lives, Iris and Chuck maintain a strong relationship, often staying connected through phone calls during the days Chuck spends in Washington, D.C.
Chuck Schumer’s Wife, Iris Weinshall, and Kids: All About Their Married Life and Two Daughters
Together, Chuck and Iris have two daughters, Jessica and Alison. Jessica, the older of the two, is a graduate of Yale Law School and has had a career in public service, working in the White House and later as the executive director for the Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector. She also spent time working for the Hillary Clinton campaign.
Jessica is married to Michael Shapiro, an economic policy advisor who worked for Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid. The couple has two children, Noah and Eleanor, making Chuck a grandfather to two grandchildren through Jessica. Their family life has seen its fair share of public attention, especially after the birth of Jessica’s children, with Chuck often sharing his joy about his expanding family.
Alison, the younger of the two daughters, is married to Elizabeth Weiland, and their union has been a source of public pride for Chuck Schumer. Alison, a Harvard graduate, works as a product marketing manager, and Elizabeth, her wife, has pursued an MBA at Columbia University.
With my daughter Alison and her new wife Biz. Wouldn’t have happened without the sacrifice at Stonewall.
Here we are in front of Stonewall at #NYCPride. #Stonewall50 #Pride pic.twitter.com/RFDGXbYvoh
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 2, 2019
In 2018, Alison and Elizabeth married in Brooklyn, in a ceremony attended by close family and friends, and Chuck Schumer took great pride in participating in such a significant event. The couple later made headlines again with the birth of their son, Henry, in 2023. Chuck Schumer shared the joyous news on social media, celebrating the arrival of his third grandchild, who joins his two older grandchildren from Jessica’s family.
Schumer has long been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, and his advocacy has personal significance given his daughter’s marriage. This was particularly evident when, after the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020, Schumer shared the emotional fear his daughter and her wife expressed about the future of their marriage in a more conservative judicial climate. His work in the Senate, including the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, which ensures the protection of same-sex marriages, was deeply meaningful to him, as it directly impacted his own family.
While Alison and Elizabeth are raising their son, Henry, Chuck’s relationship with his daughters and their partners is not without its complexities, especially when considering the professional connections his children have in the tech industry. Both daughters are employed by major companies, with Jessica working in the nonprofit world and Alison holding a significant role at Facebook.
These professional ties have occasionally raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly concerning legislation Schumer has championed that would impact these tech giants. Despite these concerns, Schumer has remained steadfast in his commitment to his family and the causes he supports, balancing his personal connections with his political duties.
In addition to their professional successes, Schumer’s daughters have found their own personal fulfillment, each building strong relationships and careers that reflect their individual passions and ambitions. Jessica’s marriage to Michael Shapiro, and Alison’s marriage to Elizabeth Weiland, are milestones that mark both personal and societal progress, given the prominence of Chuck Schumer in political circles.
