Elaine Chao

**Elaine Lan Chao-McConnell** (; born March 26, 1953) is an American politician. She was the 18th United States Secretary of Transportation from January 31, 2017 to January 11, 2021 during the Donald Trump administration.

She served as the 24th United States Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, and Deputy Secretary of Transportation under President George H. W. Bush. She was the first Asian-American woman and the first Taiwanese American in U.S. history to be appointed to a U.S. president's cabinet.

## Early life

Chao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. Her parents were Ruth Mulan Chu Chao (1930–2007) and James S. C. Chao (born 1927). Her parents immigrated to the United States in 1961. She studied at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts and at Harvard University.

## United States Secretary of Labor (2001–2009)

Chao was the only cabinet member in the George W. Bush administration to serve for the entirety of his eight years. She was also the longest-serving Secretary of Labor since Frances Perkins, who served from 1933 to 1945, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

## United States Secretary of Transport (2017–2021)

On November 29, 2016, it was announced that President-elect Donald Trump planned to nominate Chao for Secretary of Transportation when he takes office.

On January 31, 2017, the United States Senate confirmed Chao's nomination with a 93-6 vote. She assumed office on the same day, with Vice President Mike Pence swearing her in.

Following the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Chao announced her resignation as Secretary of Transportation on January 7, 2021. She resigned on January 11, 2021.

## Personal life

Chao is married to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

## Other websites

- Heritage Foundation profile
- Elaine Chao history at Department of Labor
- Elaine Chao   Video produced by _Makers: Women Who Make America_
- msb.georgetown.edu

## Infobox (chinese)

- **t**: 趙小蘭
- **s**: 赵小兰
- **p**: Zhào Xiǎolán
- **child**: yes


## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: Elaine Chao
- **native name**: 趙小蘭
- **image**: Elaine Chao official portrait 2.jpg
- **office**: 18th United States Secretary of Transportation
- **president**: Donald Trump
- **deputy**: Jeffrey A. Rosen
Steven G. Bradbury
- **term start**: January 31, 2017
- **term end**: January 11, 2021
- **predecessor**: Anthony Foxx
- **successor**: Pete Buttigieg
- **office1**: 24th United States Secretary of Labor
- **president1**: George W. Bush
- **term start1**: January 29, 2001
- **term end1**: January 20, 2009
- **predecessor1**: Alexis Herman
- **successor1**: Hilda Solis
- **office2**: 12th Director of the Peace Corps
- **president2**: George H. W. Bush
- **term start2**: October 8, 1991
- **term end2**: November 13, 1992
- **predecessor2**: Paul Coverdell
- **successor2**: Carol Bellamy
- **office3**: United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation
- **president3**: George H. W. Bush
- **term start3**: April 19, 1989
- **term end3**: October 8, 1991
- **predecessor3**: Mimi Weyforth Dawson
- **successor3**: James B. Busey IV
- **office4**: Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission
- **president4**: Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
- **term start4**: April 29, 1988
- **term end4**: April 19, 1989
- **predecessor4**: Edward Hickey
- **successor4**: James Carey
- **office5**: Commissioner of the
Federal Maritime Commission
- **president5**: Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush
- **term start5**: April 29, 1988
- **term end5**: April 19, 1989
- **predecessor5**: Edward Hickey
- **successor5**: Ming Hsu
- **birth name**: Elaine Lan Chao
- **birth place**: Taipei, Taiwan
- **party**: Republican Party (United States), Republican
- **parents**: James S. C. Chao
Ruth Mulan Chu Chao
- **education**: Mount Holyoke College (Bachelor of Arts, BA)
Harvard University (Master of Business Administration, MBA)
- **net worth**: $24 million