Age, Biography and Wiki

Vera Katz (Vera Pistrak) was born on 3 August, 1933 in Düsseldorf, Germany, is an American politician. Discover Vera Katz's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 84 years old?

Popular As Vera Pistrak
Occupation N/A
Age 84 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 3 August 1933
Birthday 3 August
Birthplace Düsseldorf, Germany
Date of death 11 December, 2017
Died Place Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Nationality Germany

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 3 August. She is a member of famous politician with the age 84 years old group.

Vera Katz Height, Weight & Measurements

At 84 years old, Vera Katz height not available right now. We will update Vera Katz's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Vera Katz's Husband?

Her husband is Mel Katz (1964–1985; divorced)

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Mel Katz (1964–1985; divorced)
Sibling Not Available
Children 1

Vera Katz Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Vera Katz worth at the age of 84 years old? Vera Katz’s income source is mostly from being a successful politician. She is from Germany. We have estimated Vera Katz's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income politician

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Timeline

1896

Her parents, Elizar ("Lazar Michael Pistrak"; 1896–1985) and Raissa (1896–1986), fled Moscow, Russia, after the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, settling in Germany.

1921

While in the Oregon House, she sponsored the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century, a landmark school reform bill.

She also helped pass measures on gun control as well as legislation prohibiting discrimination based on gender in places of public accommodation and credit.

Katz was the first person in Oregon history to hold the position of Speaker for three straight sessions.

1925

As Jewish Mensheviks, the family, including Vera's elder sister, Senaida ("Zena"; born March 5, 1925), fled for France when Vera was two months old as Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power.

Once World War II began and Hitler invaded France, the family of four fled over the Pyrenees Mountains to Spain on foot.

1933

Vera Katz (née Pistrak; August 3, 1933 – December 11, 2017) was an American Democratic politician in the state of Oregon.

Vera Katz was born on August 3, 1933, as Vera Pistrak in Düsseldorf, Germany.

1940

After a time the family was able to emigrate to the United States, sailing on the ship Nea Hellas in 1940.

They settled in Brooklyn.

Vera's parents later divorced when she was 12 years old, and her mother was known as Raissa Goodman for the remainder of her life.

1949

She was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives and was the 49th mayor of Portland, Oregon's most populous city.

1955

Katz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College in 1955 and a Master of Arts degree in 1957.

She worked as a camp counselor in upstate New York where she met her future husband, Mel Katz, a waiter and artist.

1960

Katz became involved in politics in the late 1960s while working on the presidential campaign of Robert F. Kennedy.

Kennedy had antagonized many in Portland through his aggressive pursuit of local corruption as United States Attorney General.

Katz moved on to support the nationwide grape boycott organized in the late 1960s by Cesar Chavez to support migrant agricultural workers.

1962

She grew up in New York City, moving to Portland in 1962, and was elected to the Oregon House in 1972.

They moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1962 after selecting Portland from a list that included Seattle, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

After they moved, she gave birth to a son, Jesse.

1970

She then protested and picketed the City Club of Portland over their male-only membership requirement in the early 1970s, leading to the end of the practice by the private club.

1972

In 1972, Vera Katz was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives as a Democrat representing Portland and Multnomah County for the 1973 session.

1981

Jesse went on to graduate from Lincoln High School in 1981 and became a journalist in Los Angeles; his memoir, The Opposite Field, was published in October 2009.

1985

In 1985, she became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Oregon House, replacing Grattan Kerans.

Vera and Mel Katz divorced in 1985; their son, Jesse, went on to a career in journalism.

1990

She won re-election to additional two-year terms through 1990.

1992

In 1992, Katz ran for mayor of Portland, promoting her candidacy by using public transportation to commute to her office.

Running against then city commissioner Earl Blumenauer, she campaigned on a platform that included reducing crime rates.

1993

She served as mayor from 1993 to 2005.

She won the election and served three terms, from January 1993 until January 2005, winning re-election in 1996 and 2000.

During her first term, Mayor Katz endorsed the Yellow Bike Project, which drew national attention to Portland's artistic and bike-friendly civic engagement culture.

2000

Katz fought off the early stages of breast cancer in early 2000, with surgery and radiation treatment.

2004

In 2004, she did not run for re-election and Tom Potter was elected as mayor in November 2004, assuming office in January 2005.

During her administration, Katz pursued a policy of revitalization of the city's neighborhoods.

Katz was subsequently diagnosed with a rare form of uterine cancer called adenosarcoma in June 2004, following a hysterectomy.

While her cancer was beaten, treatment of her uterine cancer damaged Katz's kidneys and she subsequently was forced to undergo kidney dialysis three times a week for the rest of her life.

2005

In January 2005, the former mayor began an unpaid position as a Dean's Visiting Fellow in the College of Urban and Public Affairs' Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies at Portland State University.

2008

From 2008 until her death in 2017, she volunteered for the Start Making A Reader Today literacy program in the Portland area.

In her final job, which she began in 2008, Katz worked as a lobbyist for the public relations firm Gallatin Public Affairs.

2012

Despite limited mobility in her declining years, Katz would remain with the firm until her retirement in 2012.