Aldrich Ames: A Brief Biography

Aldrich Ames was born on May 26th, 1941 in River Falls, Wisconsin. Aldrich was the son of Carleton Ames whom was the Director of Operations Branch in Virginia. Aldrich worked as a handyman and file clerk during his sophomore year in high school. Aldrich attended the University of Chicago, but upon receiving failing grades, he ended up withdrawing from the university. Aldrich started working as cleric for the CIA. After five years, Aldrich completed his bachelor’s degree in history at the George Washington University. Upon completion, Aldrich decided to continue working for the CIA. Aldrich was promoted to a GS-7 position, even with a few alcohol related instances involving the police. After ten years with the CIA, Aldrich became a full-time spy and a recruiter for foreign nationals to give secrets to the USA about the Soviet Union. After seventeen years with the CIA Aldrich was appointed head of the counterintelligence branch of the CIA’s Soviet Division. …show more content…
He also had multiple affairs while stationed away from his wife, Nancy Segebarth. One of these women he had an affair with, was Maria Del Rosario. Maria Del Rosario was a Columbian national that lived with her aunt in Mexico City. Rosario was working as an attaché and a CIA informant. Rosario and Ames established a relationship after several months. Aldrich divorced his wife and agreed to pay all their debt and provide monthly support for three and a half years. With his new-found financial struggle, a drinking problem, and Maria being an over spender, Aldrich started contemplating becoming a spy for the Soviet Union to settle his financial