W. Mark Felt

Date of Birth: August 17, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 18, 2008

Biography

William Mark Felt Sr., widely known as W. Mark Felt, was an American law enforcement officer and lawyer who is best known for his role as the secret informant “Deep Throat” during the Watergate scandal. Felt was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and he devoted much of his professional life to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), where he served from 1942 until his retirement in 1973. He rose through the ranks to become the Associate Director, the second-highest position in the bureau. Felt’s contributions to the Watergate investigation were pivotal, as he provided critical information to journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post, leading to the exposure of the Nixon administration’s involvement in the scandal. Despite suspicions, Felt’s identity as “Deep Throat” remained a closely guarded secret until he revealed himself in a 2005 Vanity Fair article. His actions have been both praised for their role in safeguarding democratic processes and critiqued for their secretive nature. After retiring from the FBI, Felt faced legal challenges, including a conviction in 1980 for authorizing illegal break-ins during the Nixon administration, though he was later pardoned by President Ronald Reagan. Felt lived out his later years away from the public eye, passing away in 2008.

5 Interesting Facts about W. Mark Felt

1. W. Mark Felt was instrumental in the FBI’s investigation of organized crime and was a key player in the development of the bureau’s modern techniques in the 1960s and 1970s.

2. Despite his significant role in the Watergate investigation, Felt’s identity as “Deep Throat” was speculated upon but never confirmed until he came forward in 2005.

3. Felt authored two books about his experiences with the FBI: “The FBI Pyramid” (1979) and “A G-Man’s Life” (2006).

4. He was tried and convicted in 1980 for his role in ordering illegal break-ins against the Weather Underground, but he was later pardoned by President Ronald Reagan.

5. Felt received the Society of Professional Journalists’ First Amendment Award in 2005 for his role in the Watergate investigation.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from W. Mark Felt

1. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I was protecting the country from a threat that I believed was real.”

2. “I would have done it again. Yes, I would have done it again.”

3. “The FBI is a family, and I was proud to be part of that family.”

4. “The truth is, I was not a hero, but neither was I a villain.”

5. “The Bureau was my life. I only wanted to serve my country.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by W. Mark Felt is not widely documented, but it is estimated to have been modest, considering his long career as a public servant and subsequent legal issues.

Children

W. Mark Felt had two children: Joan Felt and Mark Felt Jr. Joan played a significant role in encouraging her father to reveal his identity as “Deep Throat,” ultimately leading to his public acknowledgment in 2005.