Eileen Higgins has spent years shaping Miami’s political and community landscape, but her landmark win in the 2025 mayoral election marks the biggest moment of her public career. A longtime Democratic leader known for her work on transportation, infrastructure and neighborhood development, she defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez in the final round, becoming Miami’s first Democratic mayor since 1997 and the first woman in the city’s history to take the office.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1963 in Ohio, Higgins grew up with a strong academic foundation encouraged by her parents, Cornelius and Patricia Higgins. She pursued mechanical engineering at the University of New Mexico, later earning an MBA from Cornell University. Her education would later shape her analytical approach to policymaking, especially in infrastructure and economic development.
Higgins moved to Miami in the early 2000s, quickly immersing herself in community advocacy. Before stepping into politics, she built a global career in international development and consulting, working on transportation-focused projects across Latin America.
Family and Personal Life
As of now, Higgins is unmarried, and details about her past relationships or dating life have not been made public. She comes from an American white ethnic background. Information about any siblings has not been updated.
Career in Public Service
Higgins’ path to public office began long before her mayoral run. In 2006, she served as Peace Corps Country Director in Belize, a role that strengthened her commitment to development work. She later became a foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State, focusing on issues related to Mexico and supporting economic growth efforts in South Africa.
Her local political career launched in June 2018, when she won a special election to the Miami-Dade County Commission. She was re-elected comfortably in 2022, and again in 2024—running unopposed. Over six years, she built a reputation for hands-on community engagement and policy-focused leadership, becoming the longest-serving member of the commission by the time she stepped down.
One notable moment came in October 2025, when she announced new funding support for the Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum and Library in Little Havana, a gesture that strengthened ties with Miami’s Cuban-American community.
The 2025 Mayoral Victory
When Higgins entered the 2025 race to replace term-limited Francis X. Suarez, she quickly emerged as a frontrunner. A July–August poll showed her with a 74 percent recognition rate and a commanding 21-point lead over her nearest competitor. She chose to qualify for the ballot by gathering 3,000 supporter signatures, signaling grassroots strength.
On December 9, 2025, she defeated Emilio Gonzalez with 59.3% of the vote, a decisive victory that reflected broad support across the city. Higgins is now set to make history as Miami’s first woman mayor, the first Democrat in decades, and the first non-Hispanic mayor since the 1990s.
Net Worth and Personal Profile
As of 2025, Higgins’ estimated net worth is around $1.5 million, reflecting her career in public service and international development. She is 62 years old, stands 5 feet 4 inches, weighs approximately 55 kg, and has light brown hair and brown eyes.
