He is the oldest son of Teresa Heinz and the late H. John Heinz III, the brother of André Heinz and Christopher Heinz, the stepson of Senator John Kerry, and stepbrother of Alexandra Kerry and Vanessa Kerry.
After graduating from Boston College in 1989, Heinz studied blacksmithing in Colonial Williamsburg. He is married to a nutritionist and has a daughter. He has consistently refused to pose for photos or grant interviews.