John Tory: Career, Resignation, Marriage, Net Worth (2025)

Few Canadian political careers ended as abruptly as John Tory’s did in February 2023. This article covers what the former Toronto mayor is doing now, his long marriage to Barbara Hackett, the affair scandal that forced his resignation, and what we know — and still don’t — about his net worth and personal life in 2025.

Full name: John Howard Tory ·
Born: May 28, 1954, Toronto, Ontario ·
Mayor of Toronto: 2014–2023 ·
Party: Progressive Conservative (Ontario) ·
Notable roles: Lawyer, broadcaster, CFL Commissioner, corporate director ·
Current position: Private citizen, board member, community volunteer

Six key facts about John Tory’s biography — from his education to his resignation — in one table:

What is John Tory’s job now?

Current professional activities

Since stepping down as mayor, John Tory has returned to the private sector. He serves on the board of Rogers Communications, one of Canada’s largest telecom firms, and is a board member of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), according to his bio at Toronto Metropolitan University (academic institution). He also acts as a strategic advisor to several undisclosed firms.

Tory has not run for any office since resigning. A February 2026 analysis by TVO Today (Ontario public affairs outlet) noted he was sitting out the upcoming Toronto election, signaling a definitive end to his electoral ambitions — at least for now.

Boards and advisory roles

• Rogers Communications board member (confirmed by multiple sources)
• TIFF board member
• Strategic advisor (private, unnamed firms)

Before the scandal, Tory also held roles on the boards of Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Canadian Football League (as former commissioner). Those roles are now listed as past.

Volunteer work

Tory has continued community volunteering, including with the United Way and local Toronto charities. His Mayoral legacy page on the City of Toronto website lists his volunteer history, though it has not been updated since his resignation.

The pattern: a career politician who lost the public stage is rebuilding through elite networks — but without a public mandate, his influence is harder to track.

Who is John Tory’s wife?

Barbara Hackett biography

John Tory’s wife is Barbara Hackett (also known as Barbara Tory). She is a private individual who has largely stayed out of the public eye. According to CityNews Toronto, the couple married in 1986.

At the time of the affair revelation in February 2023, Tory publicly apologized to “Barb” and his family, as reported by CityNews Toronto. That apology confirmed the marriage was under severe strain.

Marriage timeline

• 1986: John Tory marries Barbara Hackett
• 2020: Tory’s extramarital relationship begins (summer, per Integrity Commissioner)
• February 10, 2023: Affair made public; Tory resigns same day
• 2023–2025: Separation reported; no public reconciliation

CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster) reported that Tory and Barbara had been married more than 40 years at the time of the resignation, meaning their marriage date is likely earlier than the public record states — possibly around 1978, as CityNews also suggested. The confusion stems from conflicting reports: CityNews indicated a 1978 marriage date, while other sources say 1986. No official marriage certificate has been published.

Family

John and Barbara Tory have four adult children: John B. Tory, Christopher, Susan, and Sarah. Their children have maintained privacy throughout the scandal.

What happened with John Tory and his wife?

2023 affair revelation

On February 10, 2023, news broke that John Tory had engaged in an extramarital relationship with a former staff member who had worked under him. The CityNews Toronto report stated the relationship developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and involved a 31-year-old woman who had worked in Tory’s office (CBC News).

The Integrity Commissioner found the relationship consensual but ruled that Tory breached the city’s code of conduct (CTV News via YouTube). No evidence of misuse of city resources or improper influence was found.

Resignation as mayor

Tory announced his resignation within about an hour of the story breaking, according to The Conversation (academic journalism site). His statement included an apology to his wife, family, and Torontonians. “I have made mistakes and I am sorry,” he said (paraphrased from official statement).

The resignation took effect on February 17, 2023, ending his nine-year tenure as mayor.

Separation and reconciliation status

As of early 2025, John Tory and Barbara Hackett remain separated. No public appearances together have been made since 2023. A Wikipedia summary (which carries low confidence as a tertiary source) claimed Tory stated in 2026 that he was still in a relationship with the woman involved in the affair — but this is unconfirmed by primary sources (Wikipedia).

What is John Tory’s net worth?

Sources of wealth

John Tory’s net worth comes from multiple streams: his legal career, his time as CFL Commissioner (2007–2013), mayoral salary, and corporate board compensation. Before becoming mayor, he worked as a lawyer, political strategist, and businessman, per Toronto Metropolitan University (academic profile).

Estimated net worth figures

No official public disclosure of Tory’s net worth exists. Media estimates range from several million dollars to upwards of $10 million, based on his long career in senior roles. An unverified claim on Reddit (community forum, low confidence) suggested he received about $100,000 annually from the Rogers Control Trust while mayor, but this cannot be confirmed.

His mayoral salary in 2022 was approximately $200,000, plus benefits and pension contributions. Board roles at Rogers likely pay additional compensation, though amounts are not publicly itemized.

Comparison to other mayors

Tory’s net worth is believed to be significantly higher than average for Toronto mayors, given his pre-mayoral corporate and legal success. However, without disclosure, any comparison is speculative.

Did John Tory reconcile with his wife?

Current marital status

As of 2025, John Tory and Barbara Hackett are separated. No public confirmation of reconciliation exists. No joint public appearances have been reported since February 2023 (CityNews Toronto).

Public appearances together

The couple has not been photographed together in public since the scandal. Barbara Hackett has not issued any statement through representatives. A representative for the Tory family declined to comment when approached by multiple media outlets in 2024.

Statements from representatives

No official statement about the marriage’s legal status has been made. CBC News reported that Tory’s staff said he was focused on his family privately and would not discuss his personal life.

For Barbara Hackett, the silence has been total. No public quote from her has emerged since the scandal broke. Her absence from the narrative is itself a powerful statement about her preference for privacy over public redemption.

Readers interested in the full timeline of events can find a thorough breakdown at John Torys resignation and aftermath.

Frequently asked questions