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Governor Andrew Cuomo and television chef Sandra Lee dated for 14 years before they split in 2019. The 63-year-old New York Governor recently came under fire for sexual harassment allegations. While the 54-year-old celebrity chef only made a minor comment about the allegations against her ex. You may be surprised to find out who has the higher net worth, Andrew Cuomo or Sandra Lee. 

Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee
Andrew Cuomo and his girlfriend Sandra Lee | JEWEL SAMAD/AFP via Getty Images

Why did Andrew Cuomo and Sandra Lee split?

Cuomo and Lee ended their relationship in September 2019 with a joint statement, suggesting that they grew apart. However, in the months that followed, Lee never missed Cuomo’s daily COVID-19 press briefings. They told the public that their love turned into a close friendship. 

In the year leading up to their split, Lee spent time in California taking care of family on the West Coast. Plus, Cuomo attended two major gubernatorial events without his longtime-girlfriend. 

Sandra Lee and Andrew Cuomo
Sandra Lee and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo | Fernando Leon/Getty Images for Diet Pepsi

Fans speculated that the celebrity chef did not want to live the life of a political wife. Although she was known as the “first girlfriend” of New York State, she did not appreciate the political spotlight. She admitted that she had a difficult time dealing with people who criticized Cuomo. Others believed that Lee felt Cuomo was beginning to outshine her. However, in the end, Cuomo and Lee split because they grew apart.

Andrew Cuomo’s net worth is $5 million

American politician Andrew Cuomo is the 56th Governor of New York with an estimated net worth of $5 million. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cuomo made $1 million per year in 2004 and 2005 while advising real estate tycoon Andrew Farkas. In 2015, the governor made $650,000 from book royalties for his memoir, All Things Possible: Setbacks and Success in Politics and Life.

As the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo earns a salary of $200,000 every year. He also released a new book in October 2020, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. His book royalties continue to grow his wealth.

Sandra Lee’s net worth is $20 million

However, ex-girlfriend Sandra Lee is worth significantly more than Cuomo, at an estimated $20 million. Her career as a successful TV personality and celebrity chef continues to bring in more money yearly than her ex. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lee grossed $6 million by 1993, after marketing her home decorating tool, Kurtain Kraft, through infomercials.

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Why Didn’t Sandra Lee and Andrew Cuomo Ever Get Married?

Her additional net worth comes from her success with her Food Network series’ Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee and Sandra’s Money Saving Meals. She is the author of over 25 books and a magazine based on her show, Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade

Lee also has other lines of home, garden and craft products that sell through Sears, Target, and Walmart. Althlough Cuomo might be the Governor of New York, celebrity chef Lee has a much higher net worth.