Charlene Austin is a national advisor for the Military Child Education Coalition, a non-profit organization that supports the education and well-being of military-connected children. She is also the wife of Lloyd Austin, the first Black man to serve as the United States Secretary of Defense. The couple has been married for more than 40 years and has two sons from Charlene’s previous marriage.
Charlene Austin Wiki/Bio
Name | Charlene Austin |
---|---|
Birth Date | December 1947 |
Birth Place | Washington, D.C., United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Religion | Christian |
Education | Bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville State University Master’s degree from Auburn University |
Occupation | National advisor for the Military Child Education Coalition <br> Non-profit consultant for military service members and their families <br> Former teacher, counselor, program coordinator, and director |
Spouse | Lloyd Austin |
Children | Two stepsons: Reginald Hill and Christopher Hill |
Grandchildren | Four |
Great-grandchildren | One |
Links | Wikipedia- @Lloyd_Austin Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday, and Education

Charlene Austin was born in December 1947 (age: 76 years, as of 2023) in Washington, D.C., where she grew up. Her maiden name was Banner, according to CNN. She attended Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She later pursued a master’s degree in education, with a focus on guidance and counseling, from Auburn University in Alabama. She met her future husband, Lloyd Austin, at Auburn, where he was also studying for a master’s degree in counselor education. They both graduated in 1985 and got married soon after.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was Hospitalized Again for a Bladder Issue
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized again for an “emergent bladder issue”, the Pentagon announced on Sunday. Mr. Austin, who is 70 years old, is in the critical care unit at the Walter Reed Medical Center, where he will undergo further evaluation and treatment. The White House has been notified of his condition, and Mr. Austin will continue to perform his duties as the secretary of defense, the Pentagon said.
This is the second time in less than a month that Mr. Austin has been admitted to the hospital for health problems. On January 1, he was hospitalized for severe pain in his leg, hip and abdomen, which was later diagnosed as a urinary tract infection caused by complications from a prostate cancer surgery he had in December. He stayed in the hospital for more than two weeks, but his condition was kept secret from the public and the Biden administration until January 4, when it was leaked to the media.

Mr. Austin faced criticism for his lack of transparency and accountability, and he apologized for his handling of the situation in a press conference on January 31. He said he did not inform the president or the vice president of his hospitalization because he did not want to distract them from their priorities, and he did not disclose it to the public because he wanted to protect his privacy. He also said he was confident that he could still perform his duties as the defence secretary, and he had delegated some of his responsibilities to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks.
Mr. Austin is the first Black person to serve as the US secretary of defense, and the second retired general to do so. He was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate on January 22, 2021. He has had a distinguished military career, serving as the 12th commander of the US Central Command, the 33rd vice chief of staff of the US Army, and the last commanding general of the US Forces – Iraq.
Mr. Austin’s health issues have raised concerns about his ability to lead the Pentagon and the US military, especially at a time of rising tensions and challenges around the world. Some of the issues that he has to deal with include the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the threat of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, the competition with China and Russia, and the modernization of the US nuclear arsenal. He also has to oversee the implementation of the Biden administration’s policies on climate change, diversity, and sexual assault in the military.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 5 in or 165 cm,
- Weight: 64 kg
- Eye color: Dark brown
Career and Public Service

Charlene Austin has had a diverse and fulfilling career in various fields, including education, administration, and consulting. She has worked as a teacher, a counselor, a director of student services, and a consultant for military service members and their families. She has also served on the board of several non-profit organizations, such as the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University, the United Way Suncoast, and the College of Education National Alumni Council at Auburn University.
Charlene has been actively involved in supporting the military community, especially the spouses and children of service members. She has led and participated in numerous family support groups, programs, and initiatives that aim to enhance the quality of life and resilience of military families. She has also advocated for the educational needs and opportunities of military-connected children, who often face challenges such as frequent relocation, separation from parents, and adjustment to new schools and environments.
She has been recognized and honored for her outstanding contributions to the public service and the military community. Some of her awards include the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award in 2013, the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service decoration medal in 2016, and multiple Commanding General’s Awards.
Net Worth
Year | Net Worth |
---|---|
2024 | $1 million |
2023 | $700,000 |
2022 | $500,000 |
Marriage Life, Kids, First Husband
Charlene Austin has been married to Lloyd Austin since 1985. Lloyd Austin is a retired four-star Army general who became the 28th Secretary of Defense on January 22, 2021, after being nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate. He is the first Black person to hold this position and the second retired general to do so. He has had a distinguished military career, serving as the 12th commander of the United States Central Command, the 33rd vice chief of staff of the United States Army, and the last commanding general of the United States Forces – Iraq.
Charlene has two sons from her previous marriage, Reginald Hill and Christopher Hill. Reginald is a retired Army officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Christopher is a lawyer who works for the Department of Justice. She and Lloyd Austin also have two grandchildren, Caleb and Carter. The family lives in Great Falls, Virginia.
Charlene is a woman of faith, grace, and strength, who has been a loyal and loving partner to her husband and a devoted and caring mother to her sons. She has also been a role model and a leader for the military community, dedicating her time and talents to improving the lives of others. She is a remarkable person who deserves admiration and respect.
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