Rachel Maddow is an American television host, political commentator, and author who rose to prominence as the host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC. Rachel is also famous for her deep dives into politics, her smart takes, and her clear liberal views. What’s more interesting is that she was the first openly gay person to lead a big nighttime news show in the U.S.
Besides her TV work, she has written several books, including “Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth.” Her profession in broadcasting has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, making her a big name in U.S. news.
Facts About Rachel Maddow
| Nationality | American |
| Estimate Net Worth | $35 million |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Birthplace | Castro Valley, California |
| Birthday | April 1, 1973 |
Rachel Maddow’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 66 kg |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Sexual Orientation | Gay |
Rachel Maddow’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Rachel Maddow’s net worth is estimated to be around $35 million. Rachel’s primary source of income comes from her profession as a TV news reporter. In fact, she is most known for hosting her own weekly show on MSNBC entitled “The Rachel Maddow Show” since 2008.
Rachel’s other sources of income are as a radio host, podcaster, and author. She was able to public multiple books, which includes “Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth,” “Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House,” “Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power,” “Air America: The Playbook: What a Bunch of Left Wing Media Types have to Teach you about a World Gone Right,” and “Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.”
Rachel Maddow’s Personal Life
Rachel Maddow lives in both New York and Massachusetts with her partner, Susan Mikula, whom she met in 1999 while working on her studies. As a matter of fact, Mikula hired Maddow for yard work, and they started dating. Their first outing was at an NRA event.
Rachel has also spoken about managing depression since her teenage years, mentioning in 2012 that it doesn’t hinder her happiness or work. She chose to discuss her experience publicly, hoping it might help others. To maintain her well-being, she emphasizes exercise, sleep, and fishing. Later, in 2021, she had surgery for skin cancer on her neck.
Rachel Maddow’s Early Life
Rachel Anne Maddow, famously known as Rachel Maddow, was born on April 1, 1973, in Castro Valley, California. Rachel’s dad, Robert B. Maddow, was an Air Force captain and then a lawyer. Her mom, Elaine, worked in schools and is a Canadian from Newfoundland. She has an older brother, David. Rachel’s family has Jewish, Dutch, English, and Irish roots. Her family is “very Catholic,” and she grew up in a conservative area.
Rachel went to Castro Valley High School and later Stanford University. She was described as sporty during high school, playing volleyball, basketball, and swimming. In addition, she described herself as partly a jock and partly antisocial. While at Stanford, she was revealed as a lesbian by the college paper, even before she told her parents.
The TV news reporter got her public policy degree from Stanford in 1994 and won the John Gardner Fellowship. Rachel was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate studies at Oxford. There, she became the first openly lesbian Rhodes Scholar. In 2001, she earned a Ph.D. in politics from Oxford. Her research was on HIV/AIDS in UK and US prisons.
Rachel Maddow’s Career
TV News Reporter
In 2005, Rachel Maddow started appearing on MSNBC’s show, “Tucker.” By 2006, she was a guest on CNN’s “Paula Zahn Now” and reported for “The Advocate Newsmagazine.” In 2008, Rachel began working more closely with MSNBC as a political analyst and filled in for hosts like Keith Olbermann and David Gregory.
Later, in 2008, she got a chance to host “Countdown,” making her very nervous, but her performance was a hit. She soon became popular, and Keith Olbermann pushed for her to have her own show. By August 2008, Maddow got her 9:00 p.m. show on MSNBC named “The Rachel Maddow Show,” replacing Verdict with Dan Abrams. Her show quickly became a top-rated program on the channel, and she made history as the first openly gay or lesbian primetime news host in the U.S.
Reviews for Maddow’s show were positive from the start. Matea Gold of the Los Angeles Times praised it, and The Guardian called Maddow a “star” in cable news. David Bauder of the Associated Press felt Maddow and Olbermann made a solid liberal pair on MSNBC. Moreover, Roger Ailes from Fox News once gave Maddow technical advice. Maddow appreciated this but preferred not to discuss it as it gave her an edge over competitors.
In May 2017, MSNBC’s ratings topped CNN and Fox News amid Trump controversies. “The Rachel Maddow Show” was the week’s top non-sports cable program. Rolling Stone labeled her “America’s wonkiest anchor,” noting her insightful coverage of Trump’s administration. Maddow believes the Trump issues were among the gravest a president has faced.
Maddow aims to add helpful information through her show. She stresses focusing on actions rather than words, especially concerning the Trump administration. She starts her show with a detailed segment, linking past events to current news. Maddow believes it’s crucial to offer new insights daily. However, in 2022, Maddow paused her show for two months due to a film project. As of May 2022, her show airs weekly on Mondays.
Author
Rachel Maddow wrote a book in 2012 called “Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power” about the U.S. military’s role in politics, and it topped The New York Times Best Seller list. In 2013, she began writing a monthly opinion piece for The Washington Post. In 2018, she co-created a crossword puzzle for The New York Times.
Meanwhile, Maddow released two more books: “Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth” in 2019, which won a Grammy for its audiobook in 2021, and “Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House” in 2020, co-written with Michael Yarvitz.
Podcaster
In 2018, Rachel Maddow started the “Bag Man” podcast with MSNBC about a 1973 scandal involving Vice President Spiro Agnew. In 2022, a movie version was planned with Ben Stiller directing and Maddow producing. Later in 2022, Maddow released another podcast, “Ultra,” about U.S. right-wing actions in the 1940s, including a 1944 trial. Steven Spielberg’s team decided to make a film about it by December.
Controversies
Lawsuit filed by One America News Network against Rachel Maddow
In 2019, One America News Network (OAN) sued Maddow for $10 million because she called them “paid Russian propaganda” on her show, referring to a Daily Beast story. This story noted an OAN worker working for a Russian news outlet. The lawsuit also included Comcast, MSNBC, and NBCUniversal Media.
In May 2020, a judge dismissed the case, saying Maddow’s comment was her opinion and couldn’t be considered defamation. OAN wanted to appeal. However, in August 2021, a higher court upheld the original decision and said OAN must pay Maddow’s legal fees.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV News Reporters
Savannah Guthrie’s Net Worth
Savannah Guthrie is a prominent American TV news reporter and lawyer, celebrated for her role as a primary host of NBC News’ “Today” show. Born in Melbourne, Australia, on December 27, 1971, she eventually moved to the U.S. and pursued both journalism and law. Guthrie has had a dynamic career, from her early reporting days covering notable events like the September 11 attack to her impactful role at NBC News, where she has held various esteemed positions, including that of White House correspondent. Her journalistic prowess was particularly highlighted during her challenging interview with President Trump in 2020. Beyond her TV role, Guthrie has authored children’s books and even served as an interim guest host for “Jeopardy!” in 2021. Her significant contributions and versatility in TV journalism, combined with other ventures, have culminated in Savannah Guthrie’s net worth being estimated at $40 million as of 2023.
Lester Holt’s Net Worth
Lester Holt, a renowned American journalist, has served as a pillar of trust and consistency in the world of news, with a distinguished career spanning several decades primarily with NBC News. Born in Marin County, California in 1959, Holt’s early passion for broadcasting was ignited by his older brother during their time in Alaska. Starting his professional journey in radio, Holt transitioned to television, working for CBS in various cities before joining MSNBC in 2000. By 2015, Holt made history as the first Black anchor of a weekday nightly news program when he took the reins of “NBC Nightly News.” Throughout his illustrious career, he has covered global events, moderated presidential debates, and ventured into documentaries, film, and even voice-over work. With such a broad range of experiences, Lester Holt’s net worth is an impressive $35 million.