Lester Holt

Lester Holt is a prominent American journalist and news anchor, widely recognized for his work on the weekday editions of NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC. He is particularly celebrated for becoming the first African-American to solo anchor a weekday network nightly newscast, following in the footsteps of Max Robinson, an ABC News evening co-anchor. Holt’s skill and professionalism were further acknowledged during the 2016 presidential debate, where he earned praise from The Washington Post for his performance.

Early Life

Lester Don Holt Jr. was born on March 8, 1959, in Hamilton Air Force Base, Marin County, California. His heritage is rooted in Jamaica, as both of his parents, Lester Don Holt Sr. and June DeRozario, have Jamaican roots. Although Holt has a passion for music, he never pursued it professionally, instead focusing on journalism. He graduated from Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova in 1977, and though he did not graduate from California State University, Sacramento, he majored in government and worked part-time at a radio station to support himself.

Career

Holt’s journalism career began in 1981 when he was hired by WCBS-TV in New York as a reporter. His journey continued with positions at KNXT in Los Angeles, where he worked as a reporter and weekend anchor. After four years, Holt moved to WBBM-TV in Chicago, where he worked for 14 years. In 2000, Holt joined MSNBC, marking the beginning of his prominent national career.

In 2003, Holt began working full-time at NBC News and quickly became a substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News and Today. By 2007, he was named anchor of the weekend editions of NBC Nightly News. Holt’s reporting also extended to sports, as he covered the 2008 Summer Olympics for NBC Sports. His career has seen him report from conflict zones, including Iraq, Northern Ireland, Somalia, El Salvador, and Haiti. Holt’s exceptional contributions to journalism earned him the Walter Cronkite Award in 2019, and in 2020, he received an honorary doctorate from Rutgers University.

Personal Life

Lester Holt married Carol Hagen in 1982, and together they have two sons: Stefan and Cameron. The family resides in Manhattan. Stefan, inspired by his father’s career, followed a similar path, becoming a morning news anchor at NBC-owned WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Later, Stefan joined WNBC, where he worked as an anchor alongside Chuck Scarborough.

Net Worth

Lester Holt’s successful career in journalism has resulted in a significant net worth. His estimated annual salary is $10 million, with a total net worth of $35 million. His primary income comes from his work in the news industry.

Trivia

• Holt was the first African-American to solo anchor a weekday network nightly newscast.
• He has been an active journalist since 1981, working for CBS News and later NBC News.
• Holt represented the Republican Party from 2003 to 2018 and became an Independent in 2018.

Lester Holt’s remarkable career in journalism has solidified him as one of the most respected news anchors of his generation, earning him numerous accolades and a lasting legacy in the field.