Fife Symington III graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Dutch art history and subsequently founded a real estate development firm. He spent several years in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star for his service. Symington transitioned to the private sector, where he developed notable commercial properties and served on the board of a financial institution. His professional career includes both significant achievements and financial challenges, including bankruptcy protection.

Fife Symington III's political identity is marked by a blend of free-market conservatism and a penchant for high-stakes real estate ventures. His advocacy for limited government and free markets, rooted in the principles of Friedrich Hayek, juxtaposes with his involvement in financially precarious real estate projects. Symington's support for conservative economic policies, as evidenced by his backing of Barry Goldwater, contrasts with his complex financial history, raising questions about the alignment of his ideological convictions with his business practices.