Who are Pete Wentz’s parents, Dale Wentz and Pete Wentz II?
Pete Wentz was born to Pete Wentz Sr. and Dale Wentz. His father is an attorney with German and English roots, while his mother is a high school admissions counselor of Afro-Jamaican descent. The two met in the 1970s while working on Joe Biden’s Senate campaign. Reflecting on his upbringing in a childhood photo post, Pete shared:
My parents met working for Joe Biden in the Senate in the 1970s. To me, he is a beacon of empathy, compassion, and kindness.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Pete Wentz's parents profile summary
- Who are Pete Wentz's parents?
- Who are Pete Wentz's siblings?
- Who is Pete Wentz?
- Is Pete Wentz black?
- What does Pete Wentz's mom do?
- How many kids does Pete Wentz have?
- How did Pete Wentz' parents meet?
- Is Pete Wentz's real name Peter?
- Who is Pete Wentz's wife?
- What is Pete Wentz's natural hair?
Key takeaways
- Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III is a musician, singer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur.
- He has been in the entertainment industry since 1993.
- His parents met in the 1970s while working on Joe Biden’s Senate campaign.
- Peter owns a record label, DCD2 Records, which has signed bands including Panic! at the Disco and Gym Class Heroes.
Pete Wentz's parents profile summary
Full names | Dale Ann Wentz (née Lewis) | Pete "Roy" Wentz II |
Gender | Female | Male |
Nationality | American | American |
Ethnicity | Afro-Jamaican | English-German |
Sexuality | Straight | Straight |
Marital status | Married | Married |
Children | Three | Three |
Profession | High school admissions counsellor | Attorney |
Who are Pete Wentz's parents?
His parents are Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz II (“Pete Sr.”) and Dale Wentz. They have three children. Pete Wentz's family lived in Wilmette, Illinois, during Pete’s upbringing. Here is more about the parents:
Pete Wentz's father
Source: UGC
Pete Wentz’s father, Pete Wentz Sr., is an attorney of German and English descent. He spent about two decades working as general counsel before moving into academia as an associate dean and adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law.
He later joined APCO Worldwide in Chicago, where he currently serves as executive director, focusing on crisis management. In a 2020 episode of the Fathering Excellence podcast, Pete Sr. spoke about supporting his son’s early music ambitions.
He shared that he often drove Pete long distances to gigs and remembered how eager Pete was to meet people who could help advance his career.
I mean, he would go drive a hundred miles to some concert just if he could get backstage and meet somebody who could help him get to some other level.
Pete II also talked about his career during the podcast.
For most of my career as a lawyer, I was a company general counsel for about 20 years. Then, I went to Northwestern's Law School, worked in administration, and taught a course I still teach.
He continued:
About 15 years ago, I joined a firm that specializes in crisis management. I use my legal background to help them figure out strategies, tell the story they want to tell, and do other such things.
Pete Wentz's mother
Source: UGC
Pete Wentz’s mother is Dale Wentz. She worked as a high school admissions counselor before becoming Head of Admissions at North Shore Country Day School, which Pete later attended.
Her maternal grandfather, Arthur Winston Lewis, served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone from 1983 to 1986 and was a cousin of General Colin Powell. Although some people ask whether she is biracial, Pete Wentz's mom's ethnicity is of Afro-Jamaican descent.
Pete Wentz's parents’ political involvement
Pete Wentz’s parents began their professional journeys in the 1970s through political work. Pete Wentz Sr. served as a legislative aide on Senator Joe Biden’s team, while Dale worked in the Foreign Service office associated with the campaign. Reflecting on that period, Pete Sr. revealed:
Mom and I met in Washington when we were both legislative assistants to Senator Biden when he was in his first term. We started as friends, and the rest is history.
Their relationship with Joe Biden extended beyond their roles as staff members. Joe Biden and his wife were guests at Pete Sr. and Dale’s wedding, and the family stayed in touch with him over the years. Pete Wentz has often spoken about the personal and historical connection between his family and Biden. He wrote in a 2020 Instagram post:
My parents met working for Joe Biden in the Senate in the '70s," and credited Biden as "a beacon of empathy, compassion, and kindness.
Who are Pete Wentz's siblings?
Pete Wentz has two younger siblings: a sister, Hillary, and a brother, Andrew. Hillary, who was born around 1984, is a singer-songwriter and social media influencer. She releases music independently and is active on Instagram, where she regularly shares her creative work and personal content.
Andrew, born shortly after Hillary, is a drummer. He has performed with bands including Arma Angelus and Black Cards, and he has also worked closely with Pete, especially during the Black Cards era. Speaking on the Fathering Excellence podcast, their father, Pete Wentz Sr., described the family dynamic:
They were perfect kids because they didn't get into much trouble in school or elsewhere. Andrew and Hillary bonded a little more because they're closer in age now, but I think they all looked up to Peter.
He continued:
And since he was older and learned a lot from him, and also learned maybe from, if he got in trouble a little bit, they'd know what to avoid.
Who is Pete Wentz?
Source: UGC
The Fall Out Boy musician was born Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III on 5 June 1979 in Wilmette, Illinois, United States, and he is 46 years old as of January 2026.
Apart from his music career, Pete Wentz has been involved in various business ventures, including his record label, DCD2 Records, and Clandestine Industries clothing line.
Is Pete Wentz black?
Pete Wentz's ethnicity has made headlines numerous times. The American record executive is biracial. On his father's side, he has German origins, and on his mother's side, Afro-Jamaican descent. His background and ancestry have influenced his creativity and how he makes his music.
What does Pete Wentz's mom do?
Dale has worked as a high school admissions counsellor and previously worked at her son's high school, North Shore Country Day School.
How many kids does Pete Wentz have?
The musician has three kids: one son, Bronx Wentz, with Ashlee Simpson, and two children, Saint and Marvel, with current partner Meagan Camper. Some of Pete Wentz's kids are growing up with interests in music and creative expression.
How did Pete Wentz' parents meet?
His parents met in the 1970s while working as legislative aides on Joe Biden’s first U.S. Senate campaign.
Is Pete Wentz's real name Peter?
Yes, Pete Wentz's full birth name is Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III, so "Peter" is his real first name, though he goes by the nickname "Pete".
Who is Pete Wentz's wife?
Pete Wentz was previously married to singer Ashlee Simpson from 2008 to 2011. He is not currently married but is in a long-term relationship with model Meagan Camper.
What is Pete Wentz's natural hair?
Pete Wentz's natural hair is curly. He has famously straightened it for years, creating the iconic emo look, but has embraced his curls at times.
Peter Wentz II is an American musician best known as the bassist and lyricist for the rock band Fall Out Boy. He previously worked for the Chicago hardcore scene and Arma Angelus. Pete Wentz’s parents are Pete Wentz II and Dale Wentz. His father is an attorney, while his mother is a high school admissions counsellor. The singer's parents have been instrumental in his career.
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Source: Briefly News
Rodah Mogeni (Lifestyle writer) She is a content creator with more than 4 years of experience. She graduated from Chuka University with a BA degree in Journalism and Mass Communication (2023). She joined Briefly in 2019. Rodah has been working as a health/fitness writer at BetterMe (since 2020), London Brokers, The Hoth, and Ardor Content. In 2023, Rodah finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Her email is rodahmugeni998@gmail.com
John Ouma (Lifestyle writer) John Ouma is a journalist with six years of experience. He has published sharply argued think pieces that live at the intersection of power, politics, and society. He was awarded the FirstGen scholarship by Biola University and a merit-based scholarship by AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in January 2021. He has worked for The Standard and Nation Africa as an opinion columnist between 2018 and 2022. He is currently working on his first novel—a literary fiction that traces the life of a contemporary Kenyan artist. Email: gervasjohn97@gmail.com
