Darrell Issa Net Worth: Business, Career & Lifestyle
American politician and businessman Darrell Issa’s net worth is a staggering $460 million.
Since 2021, he has represented California’s 50th congressional district in the United States Congress.
Similarly, Issa is a Republican who held positions in the United States House of Representatives between 2001 to 2019.
In addition, Darrell was the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee from 2011 to 2015.
Issa was the richest member of Congress when he served the office.
He made his money as the owner and former CEO of Directed Electronics, a business that dominated 60% of the American auto alarm industry at one point.
He co-founded the business in 1982 and currently serves as a major manufacturer of extra security and convenience solutions for automobiles in the USA.
After that, he smartly invested in property in the San Diego neighborhood to increase his net worth.
Darrell Issa | Quick Facts
Let’s look at quick facts to understand more about Darrell Issa.
| Birth Name | Darrell Edward Issa |
| Professional Name | Darrell Issa |
| Nick Name | Issa, Darrell |
| Birth Date | November 1, 1953 |
| Age | 71 Years Old |
| Birth Place | Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Residence | Vista, California, USA |
| Height | 172 cm (5 feet 6 inches) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lbs.) |
| Religion | Antioch Orthodox Christian |
| Gender | Male |
| Build | Average |
| Net Worth | $460 Million |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Profession | U.S. Representative, Businessman, Former Army |
| Political party | Republican |
| Father’s Name | William Issa |
| Mother’s Name | Martha (née Bielfelt) |
| Assumed office | January 3, 2021 |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Siblings | 5 |
| High School | Cleveland Heights High School |
| College |
|
| Constituency | 50th district |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Kathy Stanton (M. 1980) |
| Children | 1 |
| Active Since | 1970-Present |
| Social Media | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook |
| Last Update | January 2025 |
Darrell Issa | Net Worth and Income
Multi-millionaire businessman and politician Darrell Issa’s net worth is a whopping $460 million.
The salary of a US House Representative is around $174,000 a year.
Since Darrell has held his position for a long time, he has earned a significant sum of money.
But Issa’s real wealth comes through his business, investment, and other ventures.
He was the CEO of “Directed Electronics,” a California-based producer of automotive security and comfort solutions.
In the early 1980s, Issa bought the struggling consumer electronics company in Cleveland.
When a car was disrupted, DEI was the first to make a loud noise. The Viper auto alarm was one of Directed Electronics’ hallmark anti-theft systems.
When someone approached too close to Viper, the car’s built-in speaker would play the phrases “Protected by Viper! Stand back” or “Please step away from the car.”
Viper’s first year’s sales reached $1 million. Directed Electronics had revenue of $14 million in its fourth year.
Sales were $60 million per year by 1999, the year Darrell decided to sell DEI.
Issa sold his DEI stock to Trivest, a Florida-based investment company, in 1999.
Issa’s fortune has been invested to the tune of up to 95%, with several high-yield bond accounts worth up to $50 million apiece and seven high-yield bond funds totaling between $25 million and $50 million.
In 2014, he made approximately $25 million from investments, including real estate in California and Ohio.
Lawmakers can categorize assets and liabilities on the yearly individual financial disclosure reports using broad ranges.
As a result, Issa’s net worth may be far more than previously projected.
Darrell Issa’s Net Worth in Different Currencies
Let’s look into Darrell Issa’s net worth in different currencies, including the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
| Currency | Net Worth |
| Euro | € 427,206,600 |
| Pound Sterling | £ 354,022,900 |
| Australian Dollar | A$ 624,228,280 |
| Canadian Dollar | C$ 578,893,900 |
| Indian Rupee | ₹ 35,127,210,000 |
| Bitcoin | ฿ 11272.07 |
Darrell Issa | Houses and Cars
Houses
As of January 2025, Darrell Issa’s net worth is a massive $460 million.
He owned a mansion in Vista, California, USA. According to our sources, it was their only residence in Southern California.
The cul-de-sac home, which has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, was valued at $505,000 during their purchase.
Darrell loved his community and resided in that house for more than 20 years.
In 2021, the 202,844-square-foot property was sold for $26.1 million to an Encinitas developer.
Cars
Being a rich businessman, Darrell Issa can buy any car model on the market.
As a congressman, his security is crucial. Hence, most information about his cars is kept private.
Nonetheless, Darrell has been photographed driving Lexus LS 460, which costs around $73,500.
In addition, Issa has a 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost that has a starting price of $245,000.
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Darrell Issa | Lifestyle and Vacation
Lifestyle
Darrell Issa lives a luxurious lifestyle with a net worth of $460 million.
He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 1, 1953, the second of Martha and William Issa‘s six children.
The huge family relocated to a three-bedroom house in Cleveland Heights, a primarily Jewish suburb, during his childhood.
He is of Lebanese-American origin on his father’s side, while he is of German and Czech ancestry on his mother’s side.
Darrell dropped out of high school on his 17th birthday to join the Army and work as an EOD technician.
When his father suffered a heart attack, he was granted a hardship release and received his GED certificate.
Issa was arrested twice in 1972, the first for stealing a Maserati and the second for concealing a weapon.
As a result, he was punished with six months of probation and a penalty after pleading guilty to the second offense.
Darrell attended Siena Heights University in Michigan for his higher education, majoring in business management.
He then enrolled in the ROTC program at Kent State University.
Darrell served in the Army Reserve from 1976 to 1980. He then returned to active duty.
Moreover, he was again charged with stealing a vehicle just before his release, but the case was dismissed soon.
Furthermore, Issa married Marcia Enyart, his high school sweetheart, in the 1970s. They ultimately separated.
Darrell married Kathy Stanton after he left the service. When Stanton forgot her keys inside her apartment and Issa went up the balcony to get into her flat, the two met as neighbors.
The couples live their best lives and have been married for more than 40 years.
Vacation
Richest congressman Darrell has traveled the world for work and private vacation.
With a net worth of $460 million, he can take a jet anytime to visit any place in the world.
In 2021, Darrell visited the “Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum,” which was about to be closed permanently. He took a private jet to the museum and quickly returned to his office.
Similarly, Issa loves to play golf with his friends during his leisure period.
Darrell Issa | Charity
Issa has done a lot of charity in his career. He founded the Issa Trust Foundation, promoting positive maternal, child, adolescent, and family health values.
According to public documents, Darrell’s NGO has provided thousands of dollars to several charities.
The Issa Family Foundation gave the “Boys & Girls Club of Vista” a $2,000 donation.
Similarly, his foundation donated $2,000 to the “Westminster Historical Society” and $4,000 to the “Salvation Army.”
Throughout 2009, Issa provided at least $42,000 in donations.
Darrell Issa | Movies, Book, Investment, and Endorsement
Movies
Darrell has cameoed in several movies and television series.
He has starred in two documentaries, “American Deep State” (2020) and “War for the Web” (2015).
Issa has appeared in television series such as Stinchfield (2021), America Reports (2021), Kennedy Live (2020), Outnumbered (2019), and many more.
“CBS This Morning” (1992) and “Fox Report with Jon Scott” (1996) are among his popular credits.
Book Publications
As most people do after kissing success, Darrell wrote a few books.
He has crafted two books in his career. In 2015, Issa wrote “Examining the Administration’s Treatment of Whistleblowers Darrell Issa.”
Similarly, the next year, he published “Watchdog: The Real Stories Behind the Headlines from the Congressman Who Exposed Washington’s Biggest Scandals, Darrell Issa.”
Both of the books have done well in the market.
Investment
Darrell Issa’s net worth as of January 2025, is a massive $460 million.
He is a savvy businessman with investments in many fields.
Issa took ownership of “Steal Stopper,” one of his company’s clients, and turned around its fortunes.
The company soon began producing warning sirens for Toyota and Ford.
However, the company’s warehouse and offices went up in flames just as it was attaining success.
Steal Stopper restored its worth as car theft grew more widespread in the United States in the 1980s, and it gained new clients such as General Motors, BMW, and Rolls Royce.
Issa sold the business to a home security company in 1985.
Following that, he founded “Directed Electronics,” a company that makes car security products like Viper car alarms and components.
Issa’s other business ventures include being the CEO of “Greene Properties,” a real estate investment firm in San Diego’s North County.
Moreover, he has a great real estate investment in California.
Endorsement
As a politician, Darrell has endorsed The Republican.
During the 2016 presidential race, Issa received attention for his close relationship with and strong support for Donald Trump. In March 2016, he endorsed Trump.
Darrell had voted 100 percent in favor of Trump’s ideas in May 2017.
Similarly, in 2022, he endorsed Brian Maryott for Congress.
Darrell Issa’s net worth as of January 2025 is a massive $460 million.
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Darrell Issa | Career
Darrell and his wife returned to Cleveland after quitting the service.
To invest in Quantum Enterprises, an electronics business managed by a friend from Cleveland Heights, the couple pooled their savings and borrowed $50,000 from family members.
It worked for other companies, assembling bug zappers, CB radio parts, and other consumer goods.
Darrell became increasingly involved in politics due to his membership in consumer-electronics trade groups.
He quickly rose to become one of California’s important Republican campaign fundraisers.
Moreover, he ran for California’s 48th congressional district in 2000, finishing first in the primary and winning the election.
Furthermore, Darrell launched his candidacy for California’s 50th congressional district in 2019 and won the general election.
Some Interesting Facts About Darrell Issa
- He was one of four Arab Americans in Congress in 2006.
- Issa had a lot of Jewish acquaintances, and he even worked for a rabbi at one time. He knows a lot about Jewish culture.
- Darrell is a self-made millionaire.
FAQs
Was Darrell Issa involved in a car crash?
Issa was involved in an automobile accident in 1981. The other driver filed a $20,000 lawsuit against him, but they later settled for an undisclosed sum.
What is Darrell’s political view?
Issa is well recognized for his right-wing political views. He is against abortion.
How does Darrell spend his money?
He spends his money by smart investing in real estate and business.
