For his early education, Kucinich attended Cleveland State University. He later transferred to Case Western Reserve University, where he earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in speech and communication.

Family and Personal Challenges

Kucinich had four brothers and two sisters. In 2007, his youngest brother, Perry, was found deceased in his apartment. The following year, his youngest sister also passed away. These personal losses marked a difficult time in Kucinich's life.

Legal Dispute Over Dental Injury

In 2008, Kucinich filed a lawsuit against a House cafeteria after he bit into a sandwich and cracked a tooth on an unexpected hard object. He reportedly developed an infection that required extensive dental treatment. He initially sought $150,000 in damages, and the lawsuit was later settled with compensation for medical costs.

Early Political Career and “The Boy Mayor of Cleveland”

In 1977, at age 31, Kucinich became the youngest mayor of a major U.S. city when he was elected Mayor of Cleveland. Dubbed “The Boy Mayor” by the media, his tenure lasted until 1979. His term was marked by financial turmoil and political friction, most notably related to his refusal to privatize the city-owned electric utility, Muny Light (later Cleveland Public Power).

Kucinich claimed that selling the utility would have undermined public ownership and increased costs for residents. As a result of his decision, he is credited with saving an estimated $195 million in public funds. During this period, there were tensions with organized crime figures reportedly involved in the utility's privatization, and Kucinich’s refusal to sell led to threats against his life. One alleged assassination plot did not materialize due to his unforeseen hospitalization at the time.