Matilda Cuomo Biography
Matilda Cuomo is a prominent American advocate for women and children, a one-time First Lady of New York from 1983 to 1994, and the matriarch of the Cuomo family.
She is the widow of Governor of New York Mario Cuomo and mother of Andrew Cuomo, who also served as Governor of New York before resigning in August 2021, and former CNN presenter Chris Cuomo. The founder of the child advocacy group Mentoring USA, Cuomo was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
10 Quick Facts About Matilda Cuomo
Here is a list of 10 facts about Cuomo
- Name: Matilda Cuomo
- Age: 93 Years Old
- Birthday: September 16
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Height: Average
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Lawyer
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Not Available
- Net worth: $5 million
Matilda Cuomo Age
Cuomo is 93 years old, he was born on September 16, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, in the United States. She celebrates her birthday on September 16 every year, and her birth sign is Virgo.
Matilda Cuomo Height
Matilda Cuomo stands at an average height. She appears to be quite tall in stature in her photos, relative to her surroundings, if anything to go by. However, details regarding her actual height are not publicly available. We will update this section once the information is available.
Matilda Cuomo Weight
Cuomo has a moderate weight. Her weight and other body measurements are not publicly available. We will update this section once the information is available.
Early Life and Education
Cuomo was born Mattia Raffa in New York to parents, Mary and Carmelo “Charles” Raffa, who had emigrated to the United States from Sicily. After arriving in the United States in 1927, her father Charles operated to established his firm, making supermarket shelves and refrigeration units, and later invested in real estate.
Cuomo studied at Midwood High School. A capable student who was taken at Columbia Teachers College, Brooklyn College, and Hunter, she was influenced by family to attend a school closer to home out of concerns for her safety. She additionally pursued her studies in teaching at St. John’s University in Queens, graduating in 1954 from St. John’s Teachers College.
Her mother tried to register her for kindergarten at a Brooklyn elementary school, registrar threw both out of the registration because her mom could not express herself in English but only in Italian.
After a few years, Cuomo recalled the registrar shouting, ”Get Mrs. Raffa out of here and tell her that she can come back when she’s learned to express herself in English,” at her mother. During elementary school, Raffa’s teachers called her Matilda, rather than her real name, which she accepted out of fear. The name stuck, and she has used the name ever since.
Rise to Fame and Breakthrough Moment
Cuomo was the First Lady of New York from 1983 to 1994. She is the widow of Governor of New York Mario Cuomo and the mother of current Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo and CNN presenter Chris Cuomo. She is the creator of the Child Advocacy Group Mentoring USA. Cuomo was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017.
Major Achievements and Contributions
- Cuomo co-chaired the Governor’s Commission on Child Care and chaired the NY Citizens’ Task Force on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
- Matilda showed New York’s role in the UN’s World Summit for Children in 1990 and the USA’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Personal Life
Matilda Cuomo Family, Parents
Cuomo was born to her father, Charles Raffa, and her mother, Mary Raffa, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Her parents had entered the United States from Sicily. After coming to the United States in 1927, her father, Charles, operated to established his firm, making supermarket shelves and refrigeration units, and subsequently invested in real estate.
Matilda Cuomo Siblings
Cuomo was born as the third of five children, with older brothers Frank and Sam and younger brother Joseph, and sister Nancy.
Matilda Cuomo Husband
Cuomo was married to her late beloved husband, Mario Cuomo, an American lawyer and politician who served as the 52nd governor of New York for three terms, from 1983 to 1994. The couple had their wedding on June 5, 1954, and together they are blessed with five children namely, Margaret, Maria, Madeline, Andrew and Christopher.
Matilda Cuomo Children
Cuomo was blessed with three daughters, Margaret, Maria, and Madeline, and two sons Andrew and Christopher. Matilda and Mario’s older son, Andrew Cuomo has followed in his father’s footsteps to the governor’s mansion. Likewise, Andrew is an American Politician and New York’s 56th governor.
Besides that, Andrew is the romantic partner of television chef and author, Sandra Lee. Andrew is the father of three children- Michela Cuomo, Cara Cuomo, and Mariah Cuomo from his previous marriage. The Cuomo’s younger son, Chris Cuomo, was a journalist on the ABC Network News magazine Primetime. Likewise, the prominent newscaster has anchored news segments and served as co-host on Good Morning America.
Besides that, Chris currently anchors his prime-time show, Cuomo Prime Time. Chris and his wife, Christina share three children- Mario Cuomo, Carolina Cuomo, and Bella Cuomo. Maria exchanged her vows with the famous New York fashion designer, Kenneth Cole. Matilda Cuomo’s daughter Maria Cuom,o is the chairman of a charitable foundation, HELP USA. Likewise, Matilda’s other daughter Margaret, is a board-certified radiologist and physician and is married to Haward Maier.
Matilda Cuomo Grandchildren
Her grandchildren are Michaela Cuomo, Bella Cuomo, Mariah Cuomo, Cara Cuomo, and Catie Cole.
Matilda Cuomo Net Worth
Matilda Cuomo net worth is estimated at 4 million dollars. This includes her assets, money, and income. Her primary source of income is her career as a Lawyer. Through her various sources of income, Matilda has accumulated good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Facts: Everything You Need to Know About Matilda Cuomo
Here are some interesting facts you should know about Cuomo.

Matilda Cuomo Bio.
- Full Names: Matilda Cuomo
- Popular As: Cuomo
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Lawyer
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: Not Available
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 93 Years Old
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Date of Birth: September 16, 1931
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, in the United States
- Birthday: September 16
Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: Average
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Black
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Shoe Size: Not Available
- Dress Size: Not Available
- Chest Size: Not Available
- Waist Size: Not Available
- Hip Size: Not Available
Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Not Known
- Mother: Not Known
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Widow
- Husband/Spouse: Not Available
- Dating / Boyfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Margaret I. Cuomo, Chris Cuomo, Madeline Cuomo, Maria Cuomo Cole, Andrew Cuomo
Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Salary: Not Available
- Source of Income: Lawyer
Is Matilda Cuomo alive?
Cuomo is alive and kicking.
National Women’s Hall of Fame
A dedicated lawyer for women, kids, and families, Matilda has led the state, national, and international initiatives that heightened the visibility of such causes as kids’ rights, volunteerism, and mentoring. As First Lady of New York State (1983-1995), Mrs. Cuomo co-chaired the Governor’s Commission on Child Care and chaired the NY Citizens’ Task Force on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Mrs. Cuomo also led New York’s role in the United Nations’ World Summit for Children and the USA’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She established in 1984 the nation’s first school-based one-to-one mentoring program, connecting over 10,000 students to trained mentors, and helping them to succeed in school, graduate, advance in the workplace, and become productive citizens.
Under Mrs. Cuomo’s leadership, the program has continued as Mentoring USA; its reach has expanded internationally. Mrs. Cuomo published an edited volume in 1999, revised in 2011, entitled The Person Who Changed My Life: Prominent Americans Recall Their Mentors. She currently chairs the New York State Mentoring Program, recently reinstated by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
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