What to Know About Chuck Todd’s Jewish Background, Career Earnings and Wife

Quick Facts

Any keen follower of American politics from around the world can most likely pick Chuck Todd out from a line up of journalists. Those with interests in the inner dealings of the North American nation have at some point in time certainly watched his interviews and gotten to listen to his opinions and views on different issues.

Todd has been able to play a huge role in shaping the narrative and informing the public on issues thanks to his role as the host of the iconic NBC program, Meet The Press. Here, the political moderator has gotten to interview some of the most important figures in not just American politics but from around the world, thereby establishing himself as one of the foremost broadcast journalists in the country.

How Chuck Todd Became a Journalist 

As a child growing up in Miami, Chuck Todd paid attention to the societal issues that were shaped by government policies. This ended up informing his decision to major in Political Science at George Washington University, Washington, D.C where he also took a minor in music. The Florida native, however, did not complete the requirements to be awarded a degree despite spending four years at the university, from 1990 to 1994.

While in college, Todd worked on various national and political campaigns. He also worked part-time at National Journal‘s The Hotline. His part-time work at the media house later turned to a permanent one, allowing him to launch his journalism career as he rose to become editor-in-chief of the publication.

Berth at NBC 

After 15 meritorious years at National Journal, Chuck Todd joined NBC News in March 2007. His first role with the network was as an analyst, anchor and political director. He later took the position of Chief White House Correspondent in 2008, holding the position until September 2014 when he was named the host of Meet The Press.

Since landing this coveted role, Todd has interviewed several top political officeholders. He has also squabbled with some of them along the way, most famously United States President Donald J. Trump. At the height of the 2019 impeachment hearing, the media personality clashed with Republican Senator John Kennedy after the latter suggested that Ukrainian authorities had assisted Hilary Clinton in the 2016 US Presidential Campaign. Todd challenged the senator on these unsubstantiated comments, prompting Trump to take to his Twitter account to describe the media personality as “sleepy eyes Todd”. He also referred to his show as “Meet The Depressed”.

Where Does His Earnings Rank Among Top US Journalists

While it is not exactly known how much Chuck Todd has earned all through his career, it is estimated that he has a net worth of $2 million. The primary source of Todd’s fortune is the handsome salary he makes as an NBC anchor. According to figures released by the Paradigm Research Group, the Miami native makes about $1 million per annum.

This amount, however, places him among some of the least compensated when compared to other popular broadcast journalists. At the other end of the spectrum are the likes of Sean Hannity of Fox News who earns $30 million, ABC’s Diane Sawyer who gets paid $22 million, and Bill O’Reilly who takes home $20 million. Others are Yahoo News’ Katie Couric – $15 million, ABC’s Robin Robert – $14 million, NBC’s Brian Williams – $13 million, CNN’s Anderson Cooper – $11 million, and MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow – $7 million.

Details of His Wife and Family

Chuck Todd is married to Kristian Denny Todd, a native of Louisville, Kentucky who was born on the 8th of May 1971. She hails from a family of four that comprises of father Bennett Coe, mother Kathy Frances and an older sister named Kimberly. Kristian holds a degree in English as well as a master’s degree in Public Policy. She has worked as an aide for several congressmen and is a co-founder of a consulting and mail services company known as Maverick Strategies and Mail.

Todd first met Kristian while they were both co-workers at National Journal. They commenced a romance and then tied the knot on the 25th of May 2001 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The high-flying couple has since welcomed two children; daughter Margaret and son Harrison. The family resides in Arlington, Virginia.

The Truth about Chuck Todd’s Jewish Faith

Chuck Todd is Jewish. He was raised in the Jewish faith by his mother, Lois Cheri Bernstein, as his late father, Stephen Randolph Todd, was not a Jew. Todd has over the years continued to practice the faith, even introducing his wife to the religion. His wife Kristian was a Christian before they got married but she has since converted as the couple has mutually agreed to raise their children in the Jewish faith. The family thus worship at the Temple Rodelf Shalom, Fairfax, Virginia.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.