Wab Kinew: Biography, Salary, Height, and Family
Few Canadian politicians have a backstory quite like Wab Kinew’s — before becoming Manitoba’s 25th premier, he released hip hop albums, hosted CBC radio, and wrote a memoir about reconciliation with his father. This article brings together the key facts about his life, career, salary, family, and the questions people most often ask about him.
Full name: Wabanakwut Kinew ·
Born: December 31, 1981 ·
Office: 25th Premier of Manitoba (since 2023) ·
Political party: Manitoba New Democratic Party ·
Previous roles: MLA for Fort Rouge, broadcaster, author, hip hop artist ·
Education: B.A. Economics, University of Winnipeg
Quick snapshot
- Wife: Dr. Lisa Monkman (Wikipedia)
- Children: Two (Wikipedia)
- First wife: Not publicly named (CBC News)
- Premier salary: ~$192,000/year (Wikipedia)
- Net worth: Estimated $1M–$5M (CBC News)
Wab Kinew’s transition from artist to premier shows how Indigenous leadership in Canada is breaking old molds. His public profile is a mix of verified facts and gaps—salary, height, and marital status are documented, but net worth and some family details remain private.
Key facts about Wab Kinew
These 14 data points cover the most often searched details about the premier, drawn from official and biographical sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Wabanakwut Kinew |
| Born | December 31, 1981 |
| Place of birth | Kenora, Ontario |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | Ojibwe (First Nations) |
| Political party | Manitoba New Democratic Party |
| Office | 25th Premier of Manitoba |
| Term start | October 18, 2023 |
| Spouse | Dr. Lisa Monkman |
| Children | 2 |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Salary | ~$192,000/year |
| Education | B.A. Economics, University of Winnipeg |
| Languages | English, French (conversational) |
14 data points, one pattern: the public dossier is solid on office, family, and education, but thin on private finances.
Is Wab Kinew bilingual?
Many Canadians ask whether the premier speaks French, especially since Manitoba is officially bilingual at the federal level.
Does Wab Kinew speak French?
Yes. Wab Kinew is bilingual in English and French. He studied French immersion and has used French in public addresses. According to a CBC interview, he stated: “I speak French, but I’m not perfect” (CBC News).
What languages does Wab Kinew speak?
He speaks English and conversational French. Specific CEFR-level documentation is not available. He has also used Anishinaabe words in speeches, reflecting his Ojibwe heritage.
The implication: his bilingualism is a functional tool for governing, not a polished credential.
What is Wab Kinew’s background?
His path to the premier’s office is unlike any other in Canadian political history.
Wab Kinew’s early life and education
- Born December 31, 1981, in Kenora, Ontario, to an Ojibwe father and a non-Indigenous mother (CBC News).
- Member of the Onigaming First Nation (CBC News).
- Earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Winnipeg (CBC News).
Wab Kinew’s career before politics
- Worked as a broadcaster for CBC Radio and Television (PBS).
- Released hip hop music and performed as a rapper (CBC News).
- Served as the first director of Indigenous inclusion at the University of Winnipeg (CBC News).
- Published the memoir The Reason You Walk in 2015 (PBS).
For a look at another public figure navigating political transition, see our profile on Spencer Pratt: Mayor Candidate, Biography, and Political Views.
What is the salary of the premier of Manitoba?
Public curiosity about elected officials’ compensation is common, and Wab Kinew’s salary is set by provincial legislation.
How much does the Manitoba premier earn?
As of 2024, the premier of Manitoba earns approximately $192,000 per year, as set by the Manitoba Legislative Assembly (Wikipedia).
Wab Kinew salary compared to other premiers
This places Manitoba’s premier salary in the mid-range among Canadian provinces. For context, the highest-paid premiers (Ontario, Alberta) earn above $200,000; lower-paid ones (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia) earn around $160,000.
How tall is Wab Kinew?
Height is a frequently searched personal detail, though it has no bearing on governance.
Wab Kinew height in feet and meters
Wab Kinew is approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall (IMDb).
Who is Wab Kinew’s wife?
His marriage and family life are of interest to many voters.
Wab Kinew’s first wife
Wab Kinew has two sons from a previous relationship, but the name of his first wife is not widely reported in major sources (CBC News).
Wab Kinew’s children
He has two sons from a previous relationship, and a third child – a son – born in May 2017 with his current wife (Wikipedia).
Wab Kinew is married to Dr. Lisa Monkman, an Ojibwe family physician. The couple married in 2014 (Wikipedia).
What is Wab Kinew’s net worth?
Net worth estimates for politicians are often speculative.
Wab Kinew net worth estimate
Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates range from $1 million to $5 million, based on his career as a broadcaster, author, and now premier (CBC News).
What is the 3-hour rule in Manitoba?
Employment standards in Manitoba include a rule that often puzzles workers and employers.
How does the 3-hour rule affect workers in Manitoba?
The 3-hour rule in Manitoba requires employers to pay employees for at least three hours if they report to work, even if no work is available. It applies under The Employment Standards Code (Wikipedia).
Timeline signal
Key milestones in Wab Kinew’s journey from artist to premier.
- December 31, 1981 – Born in Kenora, Ontario (IMDb).
- Early 2000s – Career as hip hop artist and CBC broadcaster (CBC News).
- 2015 – Published memoir The Reason You Walk (PBS).
- 2016 – Elected MLA for Fort Rouge (CBC News).
- 2017 – Became leader of Manitoba NDP (Wikipedia).
- October 18, 2023 – Sworn in as 25th Premier of Manitoba (CBC News).
The timeline shows a steady political ascent over eight years—rapid by Canadian standards. Kinew went from first-time MLA to premier in just seven years, a pace that reflects both the NDP’s internal shift and his personal appeal.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Wab Kinew is the 25th premier of Manitoba (Wikipedia).
- He is bilingual in English and French (CBC News).
- He is married to Dr. Lisa Monkman (Wikipedia).
- He is a member of the Onigaming First Nation (CBC News).
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
- Name of his first wife is not widely reported.
- Specific details of his French fluency level (e.g., CEFR level) are not documented.
- His salary as premier (~$192,000/year) is an estimate from Wikipedia, not an official legislated figure.
- His number of children is reported as two in some sources but three in others.
- His height (6’2″) is sourced from an entertainment database, not an official measurement.
- Precise bilingual fluency level remains unverified by a standardized test.
Quotes from Wab Kinew and government sources
“I speak French, but I’m not perfect.”
— Wab Kinew, in an interview with CBC News
“I am proud to be Anishinaabe.”
— Wab Kinew, from his memoir The Reason You Walk (PBS)
“Premier Kinew is committed to reconciliation and economic growth for all Manitobans.”
— Government of Manitoba, official biography on the premier’s page (Wikipedia)
The pattern across these facts and quotes: Wab Kinew’s public persona is grounded in his Indigenous identity and his willingness to be imperfectly bilingual. For Manitobans evaluating his leadership, the trade-off is between a fresh, nontraditional background and the inevitable scrutiny that comes with every public figure’s private details.
cbc.ca, troymedia.com, facebook.com, kids.kiddle.co, facebook.com, facebook.com, instagram.com, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
Does Wab Kinew speak French fluently?
He has conversational French ability, but his fluency is not native-level. He studied French immersion and has used French in public addresses.
Where did Wab Kinew grow up?
He was born in Kenora, Ontario, and is a member of the Onigaming First Nation (Ojibwe). He earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Winnipeg.
How does Manitoba’s premier salary compare nationally?
At approximately $192,000 per year, Manitoba’s premier salary sits in the mid-range among Canadian provinces—above P.E.I. and Nova Scotia but below Ontario and Alberta.
Is Wab Kinew’s height publicly documented?
Yes, he is listed at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) on IMDb, though this is an entertainment-database figure rather than an official government measurement.
What is Dr. Lisa Monkman’s profession?
Dr. Lisa Monkman is an Ojibwe family physician. She married Wab Kinew in 2014.
How is Wab Kinew’s net worth estimated?
Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates range from $1 million to $5 million based on his careers in broadcasting, authorship, and politics.
How many children does Wab Kinew have?
He has two sons from a previous relationship and one son with his current wife, Dr. Lisa Monkman.
What does the 3-hour rule require from employers?
Employers must pay employees for at least three hours if they report to work, even if no work is available, under Manitoba’s Employment Standards Code.
For anyone researching Canada’s newest premier, the data is clear: Wab Kinew’s salary, height, marital status, and linguistic ability are on the record. What remains private—like his net worth and former spouse—is unlikely to surface without his consent. For voters in Manitoba, the implication is straightforward: assess his performance by policy and governance, not by gaps in his personal dossier.
This article was compiled using publicly available sources. Some details (net worth, first wife) are unverified due to privacy. All salary and height figures are rounded estimates. For another biographical profile, see our piece on Ryan Stiles: Biography, Friendships, and Where He Is Now.
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