Bill de Blasio (born Warren Wilhelm Jr. on May 8, 1961, in Manhattan, New York City) is an American politician and former lawyer who served as the 109th Mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021. He previously served as New York City Public Advocate from 2010 to 2013 and returned to that role as current public advocate. De Blasio grew up in a politically active household in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after his parents' divorce, and adopted his mother's Italian surname in 1983. He earned a BA from NYU (1984) and an MPA from Columbia University (1987). Early in his career, he worked as a volunteer coordinator for the Quixote Center aiding Nicaraguan refugees and served as a special assistant to Mayor David Dinkins. Elected to the New York City Council in 2001 representing Brooklyn's 39th District until 2009, he focused on affordable housing, education, and environmental issues. As Public Advocate, he criticized Mayor Michael Bloomberg's policies on stop-and-frisk and inequality. His mayoral tenure was marked by progressive policies including universal pre-kindergarten, expanded paid sick leave, police reform, opposition to charter school expansion, and a focus on inequality, though he faced criticism for homelessness and COVID-19 responses. He launched a short-lived 2020 presidential campaign emphasizing climate and economic justice, making him a U.S. presidential candidate. Post-mayoralty, he has taught at NYU and remained active in progressive circles. He is married to Chirlane McCray, with whom he has two children.