Nancy Ruth Mace was born on December 4, 1977, at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), North Carolina. She comes from a distinguished military family; her father, James Emory Mace, served as a brigadier general in the United States Army and was commandant of cadets at The Citadel from 1997 to 2005. Her mother was a dedicated school teacher. Growing up in this environment shaped Nancy’s values of discipline, public service, and perseverance.
Education and historic milestone
Nancy Mace earned her high school diploma through Trident Technical College before making history in 1999 as the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets program, a previously all-male military college in South Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Mace later pursued a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication, which she earned from the University of Georgia in 2004. Her experience at The Citadel and in higher education became the foundation of her self-published book, "In the Company of Men: A Woman at The Citadel," detailing her trailblazing journey in a traditionally male institution.
Entrepreneurship and career
Following her academic achievements, Nancy Mace transitioned from a historic student leader into a successful entrepreneur and communications expert. In 2008, she founded The Mace Group, a public relations and consulting firm that provides a suite of services including strategic communications, media relations, and government affairs consulting. The firm reflects her skills in business administration and mass communication, combining professional experience with a keen understanding of media dynamics and political messaging. The Mace Group has positioned itself as a respected player in public relations, helping clients navigate complex communications environments with clarity and impact.
Parallel to the growth of her consulting firm, Mace became involved with a local news platform, FITSNews, a South Carolina-focused political and current events website. She initially worked for the site starting in 2007 and later became a co-owner before selling her stake in 2013. FITSNews has been influential in shaping political discourse in South Carolina, offering commentary, reporting, and analysis on regional politics. Nancy Mace’s association with the site enhanced her media acumen and provided her with a platform to engage with political communication and public affairs on a broader scale.
Her career illustrates a blend of entrepreneurial spirit and public engagement, reflecting her background as a trailblazer, the first woman to graduate from The Citadel’s Corps of Cadets and her passion for public service and political involvement. Through The Mace Group and media partnerships, Mace has been able to leverage communications not just as a business tool but also as a means to influence public dialogue and participate actively in civic life.
Political career and congressional service
Mace’s political involvement began with working on Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign. She ran for the U.S. Senate as a Republican candidate in 2014 but did not win the primary. However, her political prominence rose as she was elected to represent South Carolina’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020, defeating incumbent Democrat Joe Cunningham. This made Nancy Mace the first Republican woman ever elected to Congress from South Carolina. She has been reelected since, serving on key committees and taking positions on issues such as economic freedom, military support, and local infrastructure.
Personal life: Children and public image
Nancy Mace balances a multifaceted public career with her role as a mother, raising two teenagers while serving as a U.S. Congresswoman representing South Carolina’s 1st district. She has been open about her journey navigating single parenthood alongside the demanding nature of political office. Mace has two children, a son named Miles and a daughter named Ellison, from her second marriage, and she emphasizes the importance of family in shaping her values and policy perspectives.
Her experiences as a parent and member of a military family being the daughter of a retired Army general influence her advocacy on issues related to family welfare, education, and veteran affairs. Nancy has highlighted the balance required to manage the needs of her children and the responsibilities of political life, often sharing reflections on how this dual role deepens her understanding of constituent concerns. For instance, she expressed concern for her children’s safety and well-being around significant political events, such as sending them home before the congressional vote accepting the 2020 Electoral College results due to the hostile atmosphere in Washington.
Nancy Mace’s public image is shaped by her persona as a resilient, outspoken, and pragmatic leader. She is known for her candidness about personal challenges, including overcoming adversity in her early life, which resonates with many constituents. Her determination and ability to navigate complex political landscapes while maintaining a focus on family have earned her respect and visibility. However, like many politicians, she has faced criticism and public scrutiny, but she remains steadfast in communicating openly about her positions and experiences.
Net worth and public profile
Nancy Mace, the U.S. Representative for South Carolina’s 1st congressional district, has accumulated a net worth estimated around $3.4 million as of 2025, a figure reflective of her diversified career spanning politics, entrepreneurship, and media involvement. This valuation places her among the moderately wealthy members of Congress, combining income from her political salary with her private business ventures. The bulk of her wealth comes from her founding The Mace Group, a public relations and consulting firm, as well as her earlier media engagement as a co-owner of the South Carolina political news site FITSNews.
Her congressional salary of approximately $174,000 annually contributes a steady income, supplemented by investments and business interests. Public disclosures indicate she has a portfolio diversified across consulting, media-related activities, and political reimbursements. Despite the typical financial ups and downs of political careers, Mace’s standing is consistent with many members of Congress who leverage private sector experience to enhance their financial positions.