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Lester Holt was born on March 8, 1959, in Marin County, California. He has worked on NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC. Our post tells you about his life, career, and family. Read more.
Key Takeaways
- Lester Holt is 65 years old. He was born on March 8, 1959. He anchors NBC Nightly News and hosts Dateline NBC.
- He grew up in Marin County, California, and went to Cordova High School. He studied government at California State University, Sacramento. He earned an honorary degree in 2015.
- Holt began his career at WCBS-TV, KNXT, and WBBM-TV before joining MSNBC in 2000. He now works full-time for NBC News.
- Holt married Carol Hagen in 1982. They have two sons, and one son now anchors news on WNBC.
How Old is Lester Holt?
Lester Holt was born on March 8, 1959. He is 65 years old. Holt anchors NBC Nightly News and hosts Dateline NBC. He works with NBC News and appears on Weekend Today.
Lester Holt shows strength in broadcast news. He stands with figures like Brian Williams and Janelle Rodriguez. Holt supports trusted news programs and leads iconic television news segments.
His career shines in every news broadcast.
Early Life and Education
Born at Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County, California, this anchor grew up with three siblings. His mother, June DeRozario, raised him and his brothers and sisters with care.
His Jamaican grandparents helped shape his early values. His father served in the Vietnam War and came from Michigan.
He graduated from Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, California, in 1977. He majored in government at California State University, Sacramento, but did not finish his degree. He earned an honorary degree from the same school in 2015.
This background laid the groundwork for his future in broadcast news, including roles at NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC.
Career Highlights
Lester Holt anchors NBC Nightly News and hosts Dateline NBC, setting high standards in TV news and earning top awards; read more to discover his key career milestones.
NBC Nightly News and Dateline
Holt anchors NBC Nightly News Weekend Edition. He held the role from 2007 to 2015. He leads NBC Nightly News as the anchor and managing editor from 2015 to 2025. He has steered Dateline NBC since 2011.
His work shapes television news programs and newscasts on NBC News.
The veteran reporter moderated the first presidential debate in 2016. His steady hands guide breaking news on cable and local channels. His work earns praise among colleagues like Brian Williams and Norah O’Donnell.
News fans see his skill on iconic programs like the Today Show and Dateline NBC.
Other Notable Work
He started his career at WCBS-TV in New York in 1981. He served as a reporter and weekend anchor at KNXT in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1983. He anchored evening news at WBBM-TV in Chicago from 1986 to 2000.
This work set the stage for his rise in television news programs.
He joined MSNBC in 2000 and became a full-time NBC News member in 2003. He interviewed President Trump in May 2017 about the firing of FBI Director James Comey. His work appears on NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and The Today Show.
The news organization values his clear style and steady reporting.
Awards and Recognitions
Lester Holt earns many awards for his work in broadcast news. His career shines with honors and degrees from top institutions.
- California Hall of Fame induction in 2015 honors his impact on television news programs like NBC Nightly News.
- Alan B. DuMont Broadcaster of the Year and NABJ Journalist of the Year Award in 2016 recognize his skill in reporting when covering major news events.
- The Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism in 2018 marks his long service in news broadcast and breaking news coverage.
- Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2019 celebrates his clear and trusted reporting style on Dateline NBC.
- Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication from the Arthur W. Page Center in 2023 shows his strong ethical voice in broadcast news.
- Honorary Doctorates from Pepperdine University (2012), California State University, Sacramento (2015), Rutgers University (2020), and Villanova University (2023) praise his deep influence on media and news organization work.
Family and Personal Life
Transitioning from awards to personal matters, Holt shows he values family and home life. He married Carol Hagen in 1982. They share a strong bond that lasts decades. They have two sons, Stefan and Cameron.
Stefan earned his degree at Pepperdine University in 2009. He now anchors news on WNBC, a trusted part of NBC news broadcasts.
The anchor also finds time for his passion in music. He plays bass guitar in a band called “Rough Cuts.” He attends the Manhattan Church of Christ in New York. His family life adds warmth to a career marked by work on NBC nightly news and Dateline NBC.
Speculations and Future Endeavors
Lester Holt announced on February 24, 2025 that he will step down as NBC Nightly News anchor in summer 2025. Holt now focuses on Dateline NBC full-time. Fans watch his next move with keen interest.
His new role excites many in the news broadcast community.
Speculated successors include Tom Llamas, Hallie Jackson and Jose Diaz-Balart. A major news organization like NBC News tests these options. Speculation fuels talk in television news programs.
Holt’s choices spark ideas for future endeavors.
Recent Updates on Lester Holt
After speculations shift to fresh news, updates emerge about Holt. He co-moderated the third GOP Primary Debate on November 8, 2023, and 7.5 million viewers tuned in. He covered the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the Israel-Hamas War with great skill.
He interviewed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in 2023. He also announced Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on September 8, 2022.
News now flows on NBC News. His work appears on NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC. This news update shows Holt’s strength in breaking news and live reporting. His reporting keeps viewers engaged and informed.
Takeaways
Lester Holt builds a strong career with NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC. He mixes hard work with family care. Fame grows through his steady news work and awards. Holt’s story shows strength and great dedication.
FAQs
1. How old is Lester Holt?
Lester Holt, also known as Lester Don Holt or Lester Don Holt Jr., is in his early sixties. He has many years of experience in broadcast news and television news programs.
2. What is Lester Holt’s role at NBC News?
Lester Holt leads NBC’s prime evening broadcast, often called NBC Nightly News, and he works with a dedicated managing editor, the executive vice president of programming, and a strong team at this major news organization. He also appears on NBC’s investigative programs like Dateline NBC, Weekend Today, the Today show, and NBC Nightly News Kids Edition.
3. Who is in Lester Holt’s family?
Lester Holt has a close family that includes his brother, Stefan Holt, who also works in broadcast news. Their family ties run deep in the media world and add to the spirit of television news programs.
4. Which other news figures has Lester Holt worked with?
Lester Holt has shared the screen with many great journalists. He has worked with Brian Williams, Chuck Todd, Tom Brokaw, and Chuck Scarborough. He has also partnered on projects with Hoda Kotb, Joy Reid, Norah O’Donnell, Kristen Welker, Carol Hagen, Tom Llamas, Andrea Mitchell, Max Robinson, David Muir, and even Janelle Rodriguez. These collaborations have enriched numerous news broadcasts.
5. How does Lester Holt cover breaking news events?
Lester Holt covers breaking news with clear and active reporting. He reports live on important stories like police beat events in San Francisco, the COVID-19 pandemic, and critical profiles of figures such as Donald Trump. His approach makes complex issues easy to understand.
6. What key programs has Lester Holt worked on?
Lester Holt has led many iconic television news programs. He is known for NBC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News Kids Edition, Dateline NBC, Weekend Today, and the Today show. He has also been part of CBS Evening News, Meet the Press, and other news shows on networks like WMAQ-TV. His work spans many aspects of broadcast news and keeps audiences well informed.
