Lester Holt is a trusted American broadcast journalist and news anchor. He has a calm voice and steady presence on screen. Viewers admire his fair reporting and professionalism. His real name is Lester Don Holt Jr. People simply call him Lester Holt for short.
He was born on March 8, 1959 in Marin County, California . His age in 2026 is 67 years old . He stands 6 feet tall . His weight is around 84 kg. Lester works as a journalist and news anchor for NBC News.
His career started in 1981 at a small TV station. He anchors “Dateline NBC” full-time now . His family includes his wife and two sons. He is married to Carol Hagen since 1982 . His net worth is estimated at $35 million . His main income sources include anchoring, reporting, and speaking events.
Lester Holt Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lester Don Holt Jr. |
| Birth | March 8, 1959 |
| Age (2026) | 67 years |
| Height | 6 feet (183 cm) |
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Grey / Black |
| Body Type / Build | Average |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
| Chest Size | 42 inches |
| Waist Size | 34 inches |
| Biceps Size | 14 inches |
| Skin Tone | Brown |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Occupation | Journalist, News Anchor, TV Personality |
| Education | California State University, Sacramento (no degree) |
| Career Highlights | NBC Nightly News Anchor (2015-2025), Dateline NBC Anchor (2011-Present) |
| Net Worth | $35 million |
| Wealth Sources | NBC Salary, Speaking Gigs, Book Deals |
| Notable Skills | Reporting, Anchoring, Bass Guitar |
| Family | Carol Hagen (wife), Stefan Holt (son), Cameron Holt (son) |
| Social Presence | Limited (low public profile) |
Lester Holt Real Name
Lester Don Holt Jr. is the journalist’s complete birth name. He uses Lester Holt for all professional work. His father was also named Lester Don Holt Sr. The name Lester means “army camp” in Latin.
He rarely discusses his full name in interviews. The Holt surname has English and German origins. His middle name “Don” comes from his father’s side. He legally kept the “Jr.” suffix for formal documents.
Fans and colleagues simply call him Lester. The name carries $35 million in brand value. His professional identity is tied to NBC News. The Holt name continues through his journalist son Stefan.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | Lester Don Holt Jr. |
| First Name | Lester |
| Middle Name | Don |
| Last Name | Holt |
| Name Origin | English / German |
| Suffix | Jr. (from father) |
Lester Holt Early Life and Education
Lester Holt was born in Marin County, California on March 8, 1959 . He grew up in a military family environment. His father served in the Air Force for many years. The family moved frequently due to assignments. He was the youngest of four children .
He attended Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, California . He graduated from high school in 1977. He then joined California State University, Sacramento. He studied government and political science. He did not graduate from college initially .
His first on-air job was a disc jockey. He worked at a Country and Western radio station. He kept this job through college years . The university later gave him an honorary degree in 2015. He has multiple honorary doctorates from other schools.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| High School | Cordova High School |
| Graduation Year | 1977 |
| College | California State University, Sacramento |
| Major | Government |
| Degree | No degree (honorary in 2015) |
| First Job | Radio Disc Jockey |
Lester Holt Parents and Siblings
Lester’s father was Lester Don Holt Sr. He served in the United States Air Force. His mother was June DeRozario . She raised the children during military relocations. His parents had a strong emphasis on discipline.
He has three older siblings in total. Their names are not publicly shared. His family has diverse ethnic roots. He is of African American, Jamaican, and Indian descent . His maternal grandfather was Anglo-Indian from Spanish Town.
His father was stationed in Alaska for four years. His older brother was a disc jockey there. This sparked Lester’s interest in broadcasting. His parents supported his career switch from radio to TV. He remains close to his family privately.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Father Name | Lester Don Holt Sr. |
| Mother Name | June DeRozario |
| Father’s Job | U.S. Air Force |
| Siblings | 3 older siblings |
| Ethnicity | African American, Jamaican, Indian, English |
| Family Support | Strong parental encouragement |
Lester Holt Wife or Girlfriend
Lester Holt is married to Carol Hagen . The couple tied the knot in 1982. They have been married for over 40 years. Carol is a real estate agent by profession. She keeps a very low public profile.
They met before Lester became famous. Carol supported him through early career struggles. The couple lives in Manhattan, New York. They also have a home in Connecticut. Their marriage is stable and private.
Lester has no past marriages or divorces. He has no public dating history before Carol. He is not on social media much. His family life stays away from tabloids. He credits Carol for his career stability and success.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife Name | Carol Hagen |
| Marriage Year | 1982 |
| Wife’s Job | Real Estate Agent |
| Residence | Manhattan, New York |
| Marriage Length | 44+ years |
Lester Holt Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Lester Holt turns 67 years old in 2026 . His birthday is March 8 every year. He looks younger than his actual age. His grey hair adds a distinguished look. He keeps a fit and healthy physique.
His height is 6 feet tall . He weighs around 84 kilograms or 185 pounds. His body type is average and well-proportioned. He has brown eyes and grey-black hair. He wears a shoe size 11 in US measurements.
He maintains his health through walking and light exercise. He avoids heavy gym workouts. He prefers outdoor activities for fitness. His professional appearance is always sharp. He wears suits and ties on camera. His on-screen presence remains authoritative.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2026) | 67 years |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lbs) |
| Body Type | Average |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Grey / Black |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
| Skin Tone | Brown |
Lester Holt Before Fame
Before fame, Lester worked as a radio disc jockey. He spun records at a country music station. He also reported news during his radio shift. His boss told him to read the news on air. That was his first journalism experience.
He did not finish college initially. He left California State University early. He chased a broadcasting career instead. He moved to New York City in 1981. He started as a reporter at WCBS-TV. He earned just $12,000 per year then.
He worked long hours and odd shifts. He reported from crime scenes and fires. He covered local politics and weather. He slowly built his reputation from scratch. His big break came after 14 years in Chicago. He never gave up on his dream of network news.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| First Job | Radio DJ in college |
| First TV Job | Reporter at WCBS-TV (1981) |
| Starting Salary | $12,000/year |
| First City | New York City |
| Years in Local TV | 19 years (CBS) |
| Big Break | Joining MSNBC in 2000 |
Lester Holt Career
Lester Holt’s career began at WCBS-TV in 1981 . He moved to Los Angeles in 1982. He returned to New York in 1984. He then spent 14 years in Chicago at WBBM-TV. He anchored evening news there successfully.
He joined MSNBC in 2000 as a news anchor. He covered Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Afghanistan war. He became co-anchor of Weekend Today in 2003 . He anchored NBC Nightly News weekends in 2007. He held this role for 8 years.
In 2015, he became permanent anchor of weekday NBC Nightly News . He was the first Black man to solo anchor a weekday network newscast. He moderated the first 2016 presidential debate. He conducted a landmark Trump interview in 2017. He stepped down from Nightly News in May 2025 . He now anchors “Dateline NBC” full-time.
| Era | Network | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981-2000 | CBS (local) | Reporter/Anchor | 19 years |
| 2000-2003 | MSNBC | News Anchor | 3 years |
| 2003-2015 | NBC (Weekend) | Weekend Today Co-Anchor | 12 years |
| 2015-2025 | NBC (Weekday) | Nightly News Anchor | 10 years |
| 2025-Present | NBC | Dateline Full-Time Anchor | Ongoing |
Lester Holt Social Media Presence
Lester Holt has a limited social media presence. He does not have personal Instagram or TikTok accounts. He uses Twitter (X) professionally. His verified handle is @LesterHoltNBC.
He posts news updates and show reminders only. He rarely shares personal photos online. His tweets are professional and news-focused. He has about 300,000 followers on the platform. He does not engage with fans directly.
NBC News manages his official Facebook page. The page posts interview clips and show highlights. He avoids social media controversies completely. He believes in traditional journalism values. He thinks social media spreads misinformation. His low online profile is intentional.
| Platform | Handle | Activity Level |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter (X) | @LesterHoltNBC | Occasional news posts |
| Lester Holt (official) | Managed by NBC | |
| None | No account | |
| TikTok | None | No account |
Lester Holt Net Worth and Achievements
Lester Holt’s net worth in 2026 is $35 million . He earned this through decades of journalism. His NBC salary was around $10 million per year . He also earns from speaking engagements. He has book deals and consulting work.
He won multiple Emmy Awards for reporting. He received the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award . He won the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. He was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame in 2022. He got the National Press Club Fourth Estate Award.
He holds honorary degrees from several universities. California State University gave him an honorary doctorate. He won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 1990. He was named NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2016. His career spans over 45 years.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | $35 million |
| Peak NBC Salary | $10 million/year |
| Emmy Awards | Multiple |
| Murrow Award | Lifetime Achievement (2020) |
| Cronkite Award | Excellence in Journalism (2019) |
| Hall of Fame | NAB Hall of Fame (2022) |
Lester Holt Legacy and Impact
Lester Holt changed broadcast journalism forever. He became the first Black solo anchor of a weekday network newscast . This inspired many young journalists of color. He proved steady professionalism wins over sensationalism.
His 2016 debate moderation set new standards. He fact-checked candidates live on national TV. This became a model for future moderators. His 2017 Trump interview revealed major news. The president admitted firing Comey over Russia . This interview changed political coverage.
He also impacted criminal justice reporting. His “Justice for All” series exposed prison issues. He filmed inside maximum-security prisons . This led to policy discussions nationwide. His calm delivery during crises comforted millions. He will be remembered as a trusted voice in news.
| Impact Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Representation | First Black solo network anchor |
| Debate Moderation | Live fact-checking standard |
| Political Journalism | Landmark Trump interview 2017 |
| Criminal Justice | Prison reform series “Justice for All” |
| Crisis Coverage | Steady presence during COVID-19 |
Lester Holt Nationality and Religion
Lester Holt holds American nationality by birth. He was born in Marin County, California. He is a natural-born US citizen. He has no dual citizenship with any other country. He represents American journalism globally.
He attends the Manhattan Church of Christ . This is a Christian congregation in New York. He was raised in a religious household as a child. He now practices his faith privately. He does not preach or evangelize publicly.
He was registered as a Republican until 2018 . He switched to Independent status after that. He believes journalists should be politically neutral. He avoids endorsing any candidate. His faith influences his ethical values. He keeps religion separate from reporting.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Marin County, California |
| Citizenship | US only |
| Religion | Christian (Church of Christ) |
| Political Party | Independent (since 2018) |
| Previous Party | Republican (until 2018) |
Lester Holt Future Plans and Goals
Lester Holt plans to continue at Dateline NBC full-time. He stepped down from Nightly News in May 2025 . He now focuses only on long-form journalism. He wants to produce more investigative pieces.
He may write a memoir book in the future. He has not announced a publication date. He wants to mentor young journalists of color. He could teach at journalism schools part-time. He remains under contract with NBC News.
He will cover the 2028 presidential election. His role may be special correspondent instead of anchor. He plans to spend more time with family. He wants to travel with his wife Carol. He will play bass guitar with his band Rough Cuts. He has no retirement plans announced.
| Future Plan | Target |
|---|---|
| Dateline NBC | Continue full-time |
| Memoir Book | Undecided year |
| Teaching | Possible university role |
| 2028 Election | Special coverage role |
| Retirement | No current plans |
Lester Holt Awards and Achievements
Lester Holt won multiple Emmy Awards throughout his career. He received the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 . He won the Walter Cronkite Award in 2019. He was inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame in 2022 .
He received the National Press Club Fourth Estate Award. He won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in 1990. He was named NABJ Journalist of the Year in 2016. He got the Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2018 .
He received the Fred Friendly First Amendment Award. He won the Larry Foster Award for Integrity in 2023 . He has honorary doctorates from multiple universities. His “Nightly News: Kids Edition” won a Webby Award . He received the William Allen White Citation in 2025 .
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award | 1990 |
| NABJ Journalist of the Year | 2016 |
| Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement | 2018 |
| Walter Cronkite Award | 2019 |
| Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award | 2020 |
| NAB Hall of Fame Induction | 2022 |
Lester Holt Category Section
Lester Holt is primarily a journalist and news anchor. He is also a TV personality and author. His main category is broadcast journalism. He has worked in TV news for over 45 years.
Lester Holt Movies / TV Shows
- NBC Nightly News (2015-2025) – Anchor
- Dateline NBC (2011-Present) – Anchor
- Weekend Today (2003-2015) – Co-Anchor
- Lester Holt Live (MSNBC) – Host
- Countdown: Iraq (2002-2003) – Anchor
- The Fugitive (1993) – News Anchor Cameo
- U.S. Marshals (1998) – News Reporter Cameo
- Law & Order: SVU – Himself (Cameo)
- 30 Rock – Himself (Cameo)
- The Today Show – Substitute Anchor
- NBC Nightly News (Weekend Edition) – Anchor (2007-2015)
- Decision 2000 – MSNBC Anchor
- Newsfront (MSNBC) – Anchor
- CBS Morning News – Correspondent (1980s)
- WBBM-TV Chicago Evening News – Anchor (1986-2000)
- WCBS-TV New York – Reporter/Anchor (1981-1984)
- KCBS-TV Los Angeles – Reporter/Anchor (1982-1983)
Lester Holt Hobbies
- Playing bass guitar (upright and electric)
- Performing with his band “Rough Cuts”
- Walking outdoors for exercise
- Reading history and political books
- Traveling with his wife Carol
- Watching classic films
- Collecting jazz records
- Attending live theater in New York
- Cooking simple meals at home
- Spending time with his two sons
Lester Holt Favorite Things
- Color: Blue (navy suits on air)
- Food: Grilled chicken and vegetables
- Drink: Black coffee (no sugar)
- Music Genre: Jazz and Classic Rock
- Band: The Beatles
- Bass Player: Paul McCartney
- Book: “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara
- Movie: “The Godfather” series
- TV Show: Classic “60 Minutes” episodes
- Vacation Spot: Caribbean islands
Lester Holt Interesting Facts
- He started his career as a country music DJ.
- He never graduated from college but has honorary degrees.
- He plays upright bass in a band called Rough Cuts .
- He was the first Black solo anchor of a weekday network newscast .
- He moderated the most-watched presidential debate in US history (2016).
- He was a registered Republican until 2018 .
- He has appeared as himself on “Law & Order: SVU.”
- He announced the Westminster Dog Show for several years.
- He reported from over 20 countries during his career.
- He turned down a role as a CNN anchor to stay at NBC.
FAQs
1. What is Lester Holt’s real name?
Lester Don Holt Jr. is his full name. He uses Lester Holt professionally and publicly.
2. Why did Lester Holt leave NBC Nightly News?
He stepped down in May 2025 after 10 years. He now anchors “Dateline NBC” full-time .
3. How old is Lester Holt in 2026?
He is 67 years old. He was born on March 8, 1959 .
4. Is Lester Holt married?
Yes, he married Carol Hagen in 1982. They have two sons together .
5. What is Lester Holt’s net worth?
His net worth is $35 million. He earned this from NBC News, speaking events, and books .
Conclusion
Lester Holt is a 67-year-old American journalist and former NBC Nightly News anchor. He stands 6 feet tall and weighs about 84 kilograms. He is married to Carol Hagen since 1982. They have two sons named Stefan and Cameron. His net worth in 2026 is $35 million.
He spent 10 years as weeknight anchor of NBC Nightly News. He made history as the first Black solo anchor of a weekday network newscast. He now anchors “Dateline NBC” full-time after stepping down in 2025 . He won multiple Emmy Awards and the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award.
His legacy includes fair debates, tough interviews, and prison reform reporting. He remains a trusted voice in American journalism. His band “Rough Cuts” lets him play bass guitar for fun. He continues to inspire young journalists everywhere.
