Secretary of State Marco Rubio was born in Miami, Florida, in 1971. As the son of Cuban immigrants, he grew up understanding the value of faith, family, community, and dignified work. His father worked as a banquet bartender, while his mother managed duties both as a stay-at-home mom and hotel maid.
Rubio's commitment to public service is rooted in his personal experiences and conversations with his grandfather about the impact of communism on Cuba. After marrying his wife Jeanette, Rubio embarked on a political career that included serving as a City Commissioner in West Miami and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. In 2010, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 2025.
Throughout his tenure in the Senate, Rubio focused on serving Floridians and maintaining America's strength for future generations. He held senior positions such as Senior Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Additionally, he participated in the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Rubio played a significant role in U.S.-China relations by authoring and passing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. He also co-led initiatives like the Hong Kong Relations Act and the VERDAD Act. During President Trump's first term, Rubio collaborated with the administration to hold accountable members of Cuba's regime and developed the Paycheck Protection Program to aid small businesses during the COVID pandemic.
In November 2024, President Trump nominated Rubio for Secretary of State. His confirmation marked him as the first cabinet member confirmed under Trump's second administration with a unanimous Senate vote of 99-0.
On January 21, 2025, Rubio was sworn in as the 72nd Secretary of State. He has stated that "Secretary Rubio’s priority is to have a Department of State that puts America First."