Mineta’s exact age is not publicly known. However, we can estimate his approximate age based on some key facts about his life and career.
Background on Norman Mineta
Norman Mineta is an American politician who served in various government roles, most notably as Secretary of Transportation from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He was the first Asian American to serve in a presidential cabinet.
Mineta was born on November 12, 1931 in San Jose, California. His parents were Japanese immigrants who owned a successful insurance business. At age 10, Mineta and his family were forced into an internment camp during World War II, along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans. This had a profound impact on Mineta and shaped his future views and policies around civil rights.
After the war, Mineta graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army in Japan and Korea from 1953 to 1956. After completing his military service, he returned to San Jose to work in his family’s insurance business.
Early Political Career
Mineta’s political career began in 1967 when he was appointed to a vacant San Jose City Council seat. In 1971, he was elected Mayor of San Jose, becoming the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city. He served two terms as mayor until 1975.
Mineta was then elected to represent California in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. He served 20 years in Congress, from 1975 to 1995. He co-founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and chaired the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Later Government Service
After retiring from Congress, Mineta served as Secretary of Commerce under President Bill Clinton from 2000 to 2001. He was the first Asian American to hold that position.
When George W. Bush became president in 2001, he appointed Mineta as the 14th U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Mineta served almost 5 years in that role, making him the longest-serving transportation secretary since the position was created in 1967.
As transportation secretary, Mineta led the department during critical moments after the September 11 terrorist attacks, overseeing aviation security and the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Mineta resigned as secretary in 2006, ending his 45-year career serving in local, state and federal government positions.
Estimating Mineta’s Current Age
Given that background information, we can estimate Norman Mineta’s current age:
- Mineta was born on November 12, 1931.
- Today’s date is Sunday, October 22, 2023.
- So Mineta’s next birthday would be his 92nd birthday.
- Therefore, his current age is most likely 91 years old.
In summary, although his exact date of birth is known, based on the public information about Norman Mineta’s life and career milestones, we can reasonably estimate that he is currently around 91 years old as of October 2023.
Key Facts About Norman Mineta
| Date of Birth | November 12, 1931 |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | San Jose, California |
| Parents | Japanese immigrants |
| Internment | Forced into camp age 10 during WWII |
| Education | UC Berkeley, B.S. Business Admin |
| Military Service | U.S. Army officer 1953-1956 |
| Early Career | San Jose City Council, Mayor of San Jose |
| Congressional Service | U.S. Representative from California, 1975-1995 (20 years) |
| Presidential Cabinet | Secretary of Commerce under Clinton, 2000-2001 Secretary of Transportation under G.W. Bush, 2001-2006 |
| Estimated Current Age | Around 91 years old as of October 2023 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the key dates and facts from Norman Mineta’s long career in public service, we can estimate that he is currently around 91 years old as of October 2023. This estimate is based on his verified date of birth being November 12, 1931, which means his 92nd birthday is approaching next month. While his precise age cannot be stated definitively without an official confirmation, the available information points to Mineta now being in his early 90s.
Norman Mineta has had an influential life dedicated to public service, from his internment during WWII shaping his views on civil rights, to becoming the first Asian American cabinet secretary, to guiding critical transportation policies following 9/11. His long career and many notable achievements provide key markers that allow us to estimate his current age despite his birth date not being common public knowledge.