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Lina Khan is one of the most influential figures in modern U.S. politics and law, best known for her groundbreaking work in antitrust regulation and as the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Her leadership has transformed the national conversation on big tech, competition, and consumer protection.
But beyond her policy achievements, many are curious about Lina Khan’s net worth, her background, and how she rose so quickly to one of the highest positions in American regulatory authority.
In this article, we’ll explore Lina Khan’s net worth, biography, education, career achievements, and her impact on American economic policy.
Who Is Lina Khan?
Lina M. Khan is a British-born American legal scholar, attorney, and government official currently serving as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). She is known for her academic work on antitrust law, particularly her critique of modern monopolies like Amazon, Google, and Meta (formerly Facebook).
Her influence extends far beyond government; Khan represents a new generation of leaders challenging corporate power and rethinking how competition law should adapt to the digital age.
Lina Khan’s Age and Early Life
As of 2025, Lina Khan is 36 years old. She was born in 1989 in London, England, to Pakistani parents. When she was young, her family moved to the United States, where she grew up in Rockland County, New York.
Growing up in an immigrant household, Lina was exposed to issues of fairness, opportunity, and justice early in life—values that would later shape her legal and academic career.
Education
Lina Khan’s academic background is nothing short of impressive. She attended Williams College, one of the most prestigious liberal arts institutions in the U.S., where she graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
During her undergraduate years, she showed an early interest in economics, politics, and consumer rights. After graduation, she worked as a policy researcher and journalist before pursuing law.
Khan later attended Yale Law School, one of the top law schools in the world. While there, she made national headlines for writing a highly influential paper titled “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox,” published in the Yale Law Journal in 2017.
This paper reshaped the way experts and policymakers viewed antitrust issues in the digital era, making her a recognized name in academic and legal circles even before she graduated.
Lina Khan’s Career Journey
Lina Khan’s career is marked by a steady rise through academia, legal advocacy, and government service. Her expertise in competition law and corporate regulation has made her one of the most prominent antitrust thinkers in the world.
Let’s take a look at the key milestones of her career:
1. Early Work and Academic Contributions
Before attending Yale, Lina worked at the New America Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. She focused on policy research involving market structure, consumer protection, and corporate accountability.
Her groundbreaking essay, “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox,” argued that the traditional antitrust framework failed to capture the unique dominance of digital platforms. The article became one of the most cited legal papers in recent decades and brought her into the national spotlight.
2. Post-Law School Roles
After graduating from Yale Law School, Khan clerked for Judge Stephen Reinhardt on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She later worked as Counsel for the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
In that role, Khan helped lead the investigation into major tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook, as part of the House’s 2020 report on digital market dominance.
3. Academic Career
Lina Khan joined the faculty at Columbia Law School, where she served as an Associate Professor of Law. Her research continued to focus on competition law, market power, and regulation in the technology sector.
4. Appointment as FTC Chair
In March 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Lina Khan to serve as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Senate confirmed her appointment in June 2021, and she was immediately named Chair of the FTC—making her the youngest person ever to hold that position at just 32 years old.
As FTC Chair, Khan has focused on strengthening antitrust enforcement, cracking down on corporate consolidation, and protecting consumers in the digital marketplace.
Her tenure has included investigations into major corporations like Meta (Facebook), Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, as well as initiatives to improve data privacy and competition policy.
Lina Khan’s Net Worth
As of 2025, Lina Khan’s estimated net worth is around $1 million to $2 million.
Her wealth primarily comes from:
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Her salary as FTC Chair (approximately $185,000 – $200,000 per year)
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Her previous academic salary at Columbia Law School
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Book royalties, speaking engagements, and policy consulting work
While her net worth is modest compared to many corporate executives she oversees, it reflects her public service-oriented career. Khan has spent most of her professional life in academia, government, and legal reform rather than in private-sector or high-paying corporate roles.
Achievements and Recognition
Lina Khan’s influence and accomplishments have earned her numerous awards and recognition from around the world.
Some of her notable achievements include:
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Forbes “30 Under 30” (Law & Policy) honoree
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TIME 100 Most Influential People (2021)
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Featured in major publications like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Atlantic
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Recognized for redefining the conversation around Big Tech regulation and antitrust enforcement
Her innovative thinking has placed her at the center of one of the most important policy debates of the 21st century—how to regulate global technology giants.
Lina Khan’s Leadership Style
As FTC Chair, Lina Khan is known for her strategic, analytical, and reform-driven approach. She emphasizes fairness, competition, and consumer protection, often challenging long-standing corporate practices.
She advocates for a “new antitrust movement” that reexamines how market power and monopolies affect consumers and democracy. Her leadership has inspired a new generation of policymakers and legal scholars to rethink how the U.S. economy operates.
Despite facing criticism from large corporations and political opponents, Khan has remained focused on her mission to hold powerful companies accountable.
Personal Life
Lina Khan keeps her personal life private. She is married to Sharik S. Khan, a fellow law professional and policy expert. The couple reportedly resides in Washington, D.C.
Outside of her professional duties, Khan enjoys reading, writing, and mentoring young professionals interested in law and policy. She continues to be an advocate for diversity, education, and public service.
Lina Khan’s Influence on the Future of Antitrust Law
Under Lina Khan’s leadership, the FTC has become more proactive in addressing antitrust and consumer protection issues. She has pushed for tougher scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions, especially in technology, healthcare, and telecommunications.
Her philosophy challenges traditional notions that only consumer prices matter in antitrust cases. Instead, she argues that dominance in digital markets—like control over data and platform access—can harm competition and innovation even if prices remain low.
This bold, modern approach is reshaping not only U.S. policy but also influencing international regulators.
Interesting Facts About Lina Khan
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Lina Khan was only 32 years old when appointed FTC Chair—the youngest in history.
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Her 2017 article “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox” is now taught at top law schools globally.
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She has Pakistani roots and was born in London before growing up in the U.S.
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She has consistently advocated for consumer fairness and open markets.
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Her leadership symbolizes a generational shift in U.S. economic policymaking.
Conclusion
So, what is Lina Khan’s net worth? As of 2025, Lina Khan’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million—a modest figure for someone who wields enormous influence over America’s largest corporations.
Her wealth may not compare to the billionaires she regulates, but her power and impact go far beyond money. From her groundbreaking research on Amazon to her leadership of the FTC, Lina Khan represents a new era of fairness, accountability, and reform in the U.S. economy.
Her career is a remarkable example of how intelligence, integrity, and vision can reshape national policy—and inspire the next generation to fight for a fairer market system.
