Exhibit 24

                                                        May 4, 2004


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Attn: Wilson Butler

Re:  Authorization to Sign Rule 16 Forms
     -----------------------------------


Dear Mr. Butler:

           I am a Senior Vice President of Genworth Financial, Inc. ("Genworth")
and, until further written notice, I hereby individually authorize Leon E. Roday
(Genworth's Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary) and Richard J.
Oelhafen, Jr. (Genworth's Chief Corporate & Securities Counsel) to sign on my
behalf a Form 3 and any Form 4 or Form 5 or related form that I have filed or
may file hereafter in connection with my direct or indirect beneficial ownership
of Genworth securities, and to take any other action of any type whatsoever in
connection with the foregoing which in his or her opinion may be of benefit to,
in the best interest of, or legally required by me.



                                           Very truly yours,

                                           /s/ Richard P. McKenney

                                           Richard P. McKenney