Ronald Ernest Paul was born on August 20, 1935 in Pittsburgh, the son of Howard Caspar Paul and Margaret (née Dumont) Paul. His paternal great-grandparents emigrated from Germany, and his mother was of German and Irish ancestry.Paul grew up in the western Pennsylvania town of Green Tree. His father ran a small dairy company.
At age 5, Paul worked with his brothers in the basement of the family's home, checking hand-washed milk bottles for spots. As a junior at suburban Dormont High School, he was the 220-yard dash state champion. He attended Gettysburg College, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and earned a B.S. degree in biology in 1957.
After earning a Doctor of Medicine degree from Duke University's School of Medicine in 1961, Paul relocated with his wife to Michigan, where he completed his medical internship at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He then served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1965 and then in the United States Air National Guard from 1965 to 1968.
In 1968, Paul and his wife relocated to Texas, where he continued his medical work. Trained in obstetrics and gynecology, Paul then began his own private practice. As a physician, Paul routinely lowered fees or worked for free and refused to accept Medicaid or Medicare payments. A 2002 newsletter of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) listed Paul as a member.
As a member of Congress, he continues to refuse to sign up for the government pension that he would be entitled to in order to avoid receiving government money, saying it would be "hypocritical and immoral."
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 14th district
IncumbentAssumed office January 3, 1997
Preceded by Greg Laughlin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 22nd district
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1985
Preceded by Robert Gammage
Succeeded by Tom DeLay
In office April 3, 1976 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by Robert R. Casey
Succeeded by Robert Gammage
Personal details
Born Ronald Ernest Paul
August 20, 1935 (age 76)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Political party Republican (1976–1988, 1988–present)
Libertarian (1988 Presidential Election)
Spouse(s) Carolyn "Carol" Paul
Children Ronald "Ronnie" Paul, Jr., Lori Paul Pyeatt, Randal "Rand" Paul, Robert Paul, Joy Paul-LeBlanc
Residence Lake Jackson, Texas
Alma mater Gettysburg College (B.S.)
Duke University (M.D.)
Profession Gynaecologist (Physician), Politician
Religion Christian (Baptist)[1]
Military service
Service/branch United States Air Force
Texas Air National Guard
Years of service 1963–1965
1965–1968
Rank Captain[2]
