Markwayne Mullin is a well-known American politician, businessman, and former professional MMA fighter. Born on July 26, 1977, in Westville, Oklahoma, he has built an impressive career that goes far beyond politics. He served as a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2023, and in 2023, he became a United States Senator from Oklahoma.
As of 2026, Mullin continues to be one of the most talked-about figures in American politics, known for his straight-talking style and strong conservative values. What makes Markwayne Mullin truly unique is his diverse background, from running a successful plumbing business to competing in professional MMA fights.
He is married to Christie Mullin, and the couple shares six children together. With a growing public profile, people are searching more than ever for details about his age, height, education, net worth, and personal life in 2026. Whether you know him from his political work in the Senate or his athletic career, this complete bio covers everything you need to know about Markwayne Mullin.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Markwayne Mullin |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1977 |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Next Birthday | July 26, 2026 |
| Next Birthday Age | 49 years old |
| Birthplace | Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Cherokee Nation (Native American) |
| Religion | Christian (Baptist) |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Profession | Politician, Businessman, Former MMA Fighter |
| Current Role | 9th U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security |
| Wife | Christie Mullin (née Rowan) |
| Children | 6 (Jayce, Jim, Andrew, Larra, Ivy, Lynette) |
| Education | OSU Institute of Technology |
| MMA Record | 5–0 (Undefeated) |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~$65 million |
Markwayne Mullin Biography
Markwayne Mullin is one of the most multi-dimensional figures in American public life today. He is a former MMA fighter, a successful plumbing business owner, a Cherokee Nation citizen, and now the 9th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
His path to the cabinet is not the typical Washington story. There were no elite law schools or family political dynasties. Instead, there were wrestling mats, plumbing trucks, and a small ranch in Westville, Oklahoma. That journey from a blue-collar kid in rural America to a Trump cabinet secretary is what makes his biography stand out.
Who is Markwayne Mullin?
Markwayne Mullin is an American Republican politician, businessman, and former professional MMA fighter. Born on July 26, 1977, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he grew up on a working cattle ranch in Westville, a small town near the Arkansas border. He is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation and the first Cherokee citizen ever to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet.
Before entering politics, Mullin built Mullin Plumbing into the largest service company in his region. He served ten years in the U.S. House of Representatives and three years in the U.S. Senate before President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Homeland Security in March 2026. The Senate confirmed him 54–45 on March 23, 2026.
Markwayne Mullin Age 2026 | How Old is Markwayne Mullin?
Markwayne Mullin was born on July 26, 1977. As of May 2026, he is 48 years old. He will turn 49 in July 2026.
He was born the youngest of seven children in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in the small rural town of Westville. Even at 48, he carries the energy of his athletic background; he still coaches young wrestlers on weekends and runs an active cattle ranch.
| Year | Age |
| 2023 | 45 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2026 | 48 |
Markwayne Mullin Height | How Tall is Markwayne Mullin?
Markwayne Mullin stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm). His weight is estimated around 185 pounds (84 kg).
His compact but athletic build served him well during his wrestling career in college and his later professional MMA fights. Even during his Senate years, Mullin was known for early-morning workout sessions in the Capitol gym, often leading other members of Congress in training.
| Measurement | Value |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in / 173 cm |
| Weight | ~185 lbs / 84 kg |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Build | Athletic |
Markwayne Mullin Son Accident
One of the most emotional chapters of Markwayne Mullin’s personal life involves his son Jim’s devastating wrestling injury in January 2020.
Jim Mullin, who was 15 years old at the time, suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a high school wrestling match. The injury happened fast and changed everything overnight.
Mullin later described what happened with heartbreaking detail during his Senate confirmation hearing for the DHS role in March 2026 barely holding back tears. His son Jim went from being an elite, world-class young athlete to someone who could no longer walk normally, control his muscles, or perform basic daily tasks. He had severe short-term memory loss. His learning level dropped from high school to roughly third grade almost overnight.
Mullin told senators: “I’m going to try getting through without crying. It’s not about President Trump. It’s about my son.”
Jim was transferred to the Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield, California, where specialists estimated recovery could take two to three years. Jim did it in nine months.
President Trump personally called the Mullin family almost every day for two weeks after learning about Jim’s condition. He later visited Jim at the rehabilitation center, even delaying a campaign event to spend time with the teenager. Trump even offered his private jet for the family’s medical travel.
At the clinic, Trump asked Jim who still had severe memory loss, who the president was. Jim looked up and grinned, saying “Trump.” That moment, Mullin says, helped jump-start his son’s memory retention.
Jim Mullin has since made a full recovery. He is now on the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Cowboy Wrestling roster, competing at the Division I level, the same sport that nearly took his life.
Mullin’s second son, Andrew, was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 2025 with a separate, still-undiagnosed illness that began during a University of Oklahoma practice session. The family continues to ask for prayers and support.
Markwayne Mullin Political Party
Markwayne Mullin is a member of the Republican Party. He is considered a conservative Oklahoma Republican with strong views on border security, national defense, energy independence, and Second Amendment rights.
He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and served five terms before winning a Senate seat in 2022. In 2026, President Trump nominated him to the most senior law enforcement and border security position in the federal government Secretary of Homeland Security.
Mullin has been one of Trump’s most loyal allies in Congress, though colleagues note he is not afraid to speak his mind even to the president. As his former chief of staff noted, “He has no problem telling the president what he thinks.”
Markwayne Mullin Education
Mullin’s educational path is unconventional and that is part of what makes it compelling.
He attended Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma, where he was an athlete and a hard worker. After graduating, he enrolled at Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship in 1996. He had the talent and the drive to succeed at college level wrestling.
But life had other plans.
When Mullin was just 20 years old, his father Jim fell seriously ill. Mullin dropped out of college and returned home to take over the struggling family plumbing business alongside his new wife, Christie.
Years later, after building his business empire, he went back to finish his degree. In 2010, he earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Construction Technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (OSU-IT).
In 2018, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Bacone College, a historically Native American institution in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
| Institution | Degree | Year |
| Missouri Valley College | Attended on wrestling scholarship | 1996 (did not complete) |
| OSU Institute of Technology | Associate Degree – Construction Technology | 2010 |
| Bacone College | Honorary Doctorate | 2018 |
Markwayne Mullin Religion
Markwayne Mullin is a devout Christian. He attends the First Baptist Church of Westville, Oklahoma, where he has been a longtime member.
Faith is not just a weekend habit for Mullin; it is a central part of how he speaks publicly about family, hardship, and service. When his son Jim was recovering from his brain injury, Mullin repeatedly credited God’s grace for the recovery. He told supporters: “With God’s grace, Jim has accomplished something in nine months that the specialist said could take two or three years.”
He is known in Congress as a Christian conservative who brings his faith openly into his work and his relationships with colleagues.
Markwayne Mullin Wife | Who Is Christie Mullin?
Markwayne Mullin married Christie Renee Rowan in 1997. She was his high school sweetheart from Stilwell, Oklahoma.
Christie Mullin is largely private, preferring to stay out of the political spotlight, but she has been by her husband’s side through every chapter, dropping out of college together to save the family business, raising six children, managing a working ranch, and supporting him through 13 years in Washington, D.C.
She has been active in their local community in Westville. She served as a youth ministry sponsor at Coweta Assembly of God Church and coached girls’ gymnastics for young athletes in Oklahoma.
When Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the 9th Secretary of Homeland Security in the Oval Office on March 24, 2026, Christie and all six of their children were present beside him.
Her family name, Rowan, is even woven into Mullin’s business empire; he named his restaurant Rowan’s Steakhouse in Stilwell, Oklahoma in her honor.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Christie Renee Rowan Mullin |
| Married | 1997 |
| Hometown | Stilwell, Oklahoma |
| Known For | Family life, youth ministry, gymnastics coaching |
Markwayne Mullin Children | Kids
Markwayne and Christie Mullin have six children together: three sons and three daughters.
| Child | Name | Notes |
| Son | Jayce Mullin | Competed on Oklahoma State Wrestling team |
| Son | Jim Mullin | Survived TBI (2020); now on OSU Wrestling roster |
| Son | Andrew Mullin | Hospitalized at Mayo Clinic (2025), undiagnosed illness |
| Daughter | Larra Mullin | — |
| Daughter | Ivy Mullin | Adopted (August 2013) |
| Daughter | Lynette Mullin | Adopted (August 2013) |
Mullin and Christie adopted twin daughters Ivy and Lynette in August 2013. The family lives on their working cattle ranch in Westville, Oklahoma, where they have deep ties to the Cherokee Nation and the local community.
Mullin is openly proud of his children. He has broken down in tears in public hearings describing his sons’ struggles. Two of his sons Jayce and Jim both wrestle for Oklahoma State University, one of the most storied Division I wrestling programs in the country.
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Markwayne Mullin Family | Cherokee Heritage
Parents
Markwayne Mullin was born to Jim Martin Mullin and Brenda Gayle Morris Mullin in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 26, 1977. He was the youngest of their seven children.
His father, Jim Mullin, owned and operated Mullin Plumbing, a family business in the Westville area. His mother, Brenda, managed the household and supported the family through the demands of ranch life and small business ownership.
Mullin’s Cherokee heritage flows through his maternal grandfather, Kenneth Morris. His mother’s Morris family line connects him to ancestral roots in Oklahoma that predate statehood including Native Americans who arrived both before and after the forced displacement known as the Trail of Tears.
Mullin grew up in a small town where most of his neighbors and friends were also Cherokee. This gave him a deep, grounded pride in his tribal identity not as a political badge, but as lived community identity.
In his youth, Mullin also faced significant medical challenges. He was born with a clubfoot, which required leg braces and multiple surgeries. He also had a speech impediment as a child. These early physical battles shaped a resilience that would come to define his character in wrestling, business, and politics.
His unusual name Markwayne came from his mother placing both uncles’ names (Mark and Wayne) on his birth certificate, intending to choose one later. She never did. Mullin has joked that he hated the name as a kid because whenever it was called over the school loudspeaker, everyone knew he was in trouble.
Siblings
Markwayne Mullin is the youngest of seven children. He grew up alongside six older brothers and sisters on the family ranch in Westville, Oklahoma. His sister Megan Mullin is publicly known. The large family environment built on hard work, ranch life, and Cherokee community values shaped the man he became.
The Mullin family has operated a working cattle ranch (Mullin Ranch LLC) in Westville for generations. Markwayne and Christie continue to run it to this day.
Markwayne Mullin Homeland Security Role
Markwayne Mullin is now the 9th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He was confirmed by the Senate in a bipartisan 54–45 vote on March 23, 2026, and sworn in by the president in the Oval Office on March 24, 2026.
As DHS Secretary, Mullin oversees one of the largest and most complex agencies in the federal government with over 250,000 employees and 22 critical agencies including:
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- U.S. Secret Service
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Mullin has pledged to prioritize border security and immigration enforcement as the core of his DHS mission, while also committing to reform FEMA and engage with critics through dialogue rather than confrontation.
He is also the first member of the Cherokee Nation to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet a historic milestone noted by tribal leaders and Indigenous advocacy groups across the country.
In his first public statement as Secretary, Mullin said: “DHS is bigger than any political party. My first priority is to get the Department funded so the incredible patriots that support our 22 critical agencies receive a paycheck.”
Trump Fires Kristi Noem and Nominates Oklahoma Senator
On March 5, 2026, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was replacing Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security, effective March 31, 2026.
Trump wrote: “I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).”
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Why was Kristi Noem Fired?
Kristi Noem was fired as DHS Secretary following reports of alleged misuse of government funds during her tenure. Trump made the announcement abruptly on social media, a style consistent with his second-term approach to personnel decisions. The firing came after mounting Republican criticism over the agency’s direction and her handling of the DHS operations, including a partial government shutdown that left thousands of DHS employees temporarily without pay.
The confirmation process for Mullin moved quickly. His hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs was held on March 18, 2026. The committee sent his nomination to the full Senate on an 8–7 vote. The full Senate confirmed him 54–45, with 52 Republicans and two Democrats Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) voting in favor.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote against, citing concerns over undisclosed foreign travel.
Markwayne Mullin’s Military Service
Markwayne Mullin has not served in the U.S. military in a formal capacity. He did not hold a commission or enlist in any branch of the armed forces.
However, he has been linked to what appear to be classified or semi-official national security engagements. According to Congressional records, Mullin traveled to Jordan for three days in August 2016. The details of that visit were largely vague at the time.
During his 2026 DHS confirmation hearing, Mullin described the trip as an “official travel with specific deals or specific fact-finding” that was classified in nature. He also disclosed that he had undergone SERE training (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) a military-level training course typically associated with personnel who may face capture as preparation for the trip.
In March 2026, Axios reported that Mullin had privately suggested to colleagues that he was involved in private security work for the U.S. government in the Middle East. His spokesperson described it as “mission work and mentorship support.”
As a senator, Mullin championed veteran support through the Senate Armed Services Committee and consistently advocated for the five major military installations in Oklahoma.
Markwayne Mullin MMA Career
Before the Senate floor and long before DHS, Markwayne Mullin was a fighter literally.
Mullin’s combat sports background started early. He attended Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship before life interrupted his studies. Wrestling remained part of his identity even after he left college and took over the family business.
By the mid-2000s, Mullin stepped into professional Mixed Martial Arts. He competed as a professional MMA fighter and finished his career with a perfect record of 5 wins and 0 losses (5–0). All of his wins came inside the ring, and he retired undefeated.
In 2016, Mullin was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame a recognition of his lifetime contributions to the sport as both an athlete and a coach.
Even after his political career took off, Mullin never fully walked away from the mat. He has continued coaching his own children and other young athletes at wrestling tournaments across the country on weekends.
His MMA background became famous in a different way in November 2023, when he challenged Teamsters President Sean O’Brien to a physical fight on the Senate floor during a committee hearing. He told O’Brien to “stand your butt up.” The moment went viral and was jokingly labeled “UFC-SPAN” by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
| MMA Career Detail | Info |
| Professional Record | 5 Wins – 0 Losses (Undefeated) |
| Style | Wrestling-based |
| Hall of Fame | Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame (2016) |
| Status | Retired (undefeated) |
Markwayne Mullin Committees
Senate Committees the Oklahoma Senator Serves On
During his time in the U.S. Senate (2023–2026), Markwayne Mullin served on four major Senate committees. These assignments gave him influence over defense, energy, healthcare, and tribal affairs policy:
| Committee | Relevance to Oklahoma |
| Senate Armed Services Committee | Oklahoma is home to five major military installations |
| Senate Appropriations Committee | Federal budget and spending oversight |
| Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee | Rural health care and workforce policy |
| Senate Indian Affairs Committee | Tribal sovereignty and Cherokee Nation issues |
On the Armed Services Committee, Mullin served on three subcommittees: Airland, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, and Readiness and Management Support.
His seat on the Indian Affairs Committee was particularly meaningful he used it to advocate for tribal sovereignty, economic development in Indian Country, and stronger federal-tribal relationships.
Mullin resigned from the Senate on March 23, 2026, the same day he was confirmed as DHS Secretary.
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Markwayne Mullin Net Worth 2026
Markwayne Mullin is one of the wealthiest members of the 119th Congress. His fortune was built long before he stepped foot in Washington.
His path to financial success started at 20 years old when he took over Mullin Plumbing then a struggling family business. Over nearly 25 years, he and Christie expanded it into the largest service company in the region. Along the way, he founded a portfolio of additional companies:
- Mullin Plumbing – Flagship business, sold in 2021
- Mullin Environmental – Environmental services company
- Mullin Services – Additional service operations
- Mullin Properties – Real estate holdings
- Rowan’s Steakhouse – Restaurant in Stilwell, Oklahoma
As of 2026, Mullin’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $65–67 million, according to Quiver Quantitative and public financial disclosures. His wealth is now spread across:
- Diversified stock portfolio (including ETFs like iShares Russell 1000 and T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund)
- Real estate holdings through Mullin Ranch LLC
- Various business interests
His annual U.S. Senate salary was $174,000, a small fraction of his overall wealth. As DHS Secretary, his federal salary remains in that same public servant range.
| Net Worth Source | Details |
| Primary Wealth Source | Mullin Plumbing (sold 2021 to CenterOak Partners) |
| Additional Businesses | Mullin Environmental, Mullin Properties, Rowan’s Steakhouse |
| Investments | Diversified stocks, ETFs, real estate |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | ~$65–67 million |
| Congressional Salary | $174,000/year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Markwayne Mullin compete in MMA?
Yes, Mullin had a professional MMA career and retired with a perfect undefeated record of 5 wins and 0 losses. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.
What is Markwayne Mullin height?
Markwayne Mullin stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, with an athletic, wrestling-trained build that he has maintained throughout his political career.
Did Markwayne Mullin serve in the military?
Mullin has not served in a formal military capacity, but he underwent classified government travel and SERE training, and has been linked to national security work in the Middle East while in Congress.
What happened in Markwayne Mullin son accident?
In January 2020, his son Jim suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a high school wrestling match, temporarily losing motor skills and memory. Jim recovered in nine months at the Centre for Neuro Skills and now wrestles for Oklahoma State University.
Who is Markwayne Mullin wife?
His wife is Christie Renee Rowan Mullin, his high school sweetheart from Stilwell, Oklahoma, whom he married in 1997. She has supported his business ventures, family, and political career for nearly three decades.
What is Markwayne Mullin religion?
Markwayne Mullin is a devout Christian who attends First Baptist Church of Westville, Oklahoma. Faith plays a central and vocal role in both his personal and public life.
How many children does Markwayne Mullin have?
Markwayne and Christie Mullin have six children: sons Jayce, Jim, and Andrew, and daughters Larra, Ivy, and Lynette. Ivy and Lynette were adopted in August 2013.
What is Markwayne Mullin education background?
Mullin attended Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship but left to run the family business. He later earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Construction Technology from Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in 2010, and received an honorary doctorate from Bacone College in 2018.
Final Thoughts
Markwayne Mullin’s story is not the kind Washington usually produces. It starts on a ranch in rural Oklahoma, runs through wrestling mats and MMA rings, through plumbing trucks and business boardrooms, through tribal councils and congressional hearings and arrives, in March 2026, at the most powerful law enforcement agency in the United States.
He is 48 years old, a Cherokee Nation member, a father of six, a husband of nearly 30 years, and now the 9th Secretary of Homeland Security. He is the first Cherokee citizen to hold a U.S. cabinet position in American history.
His record in public service shows someone who is genuinely difficult to categorize. He challenges union leaders to fistfights on the Senate floor. He cries in public about his son. He coaches youth wrestling on weekends. He once smelled war in the Middle East on a classified government mission that nobody has fully explained.
Whatever you think of his politics, Markwayne Mullin is one of the most authentically American figures in national politics today shaped by hard work, family, faith, and a fighting spirit that never quite left the mat.
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