You might know him as the steady, calm voice delivering the news on NBC Nightly News every weeknight. But there's so much more to Lester Holt than just the headlines. Let me tell you, this guy has a life that’s as colorful as the stories he reports. Whether it’s his recurring role on 30 Rock or his deep Jamaican roots, Lester’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. Keep reading to uncover some fun facts about this legendary news anchor.
His Roots Run Deep in Jamaica
While Lester Holt proudly calls himself an American, his heritage takes us all the way to Jamaica. His maternal grandparents were born and raised on the island, with his maternal grandfather being half-English and half-Indian. Now, that’s quite the mix, isn’t it? Lester even traveled back to Jamaica with his mom for a 2007 Today segment. Imagine walking through the same church your ancestors built over 170 years ago. That’s exactly what Lester did, and it left a profound impact on him.
He later wrote about the experience on MSNBC.com, saying, “It was a rich journey of discovery for both of us, as we visited the 173-year-old church some of our ancestors built and walked across the plantation my triple-great-grandfather owned, even finding his grave in a tiny tree-sheltered cemetery.” But the most emotional moment came when they discovered the house where his grandmother and her seven siblings were raised. It was just as she had described it to his mom. Standing there, Lester could suddenly see his grandmother in that place, and with his mother by his side, he could clearly see his connection to Jamaica.
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Love Story: Lester and Carol
Lester met his wife, Carol Hagen, back in 1980 when he was still a student at California State University, Sacramento, and she was a flight attendant. They tied the knot two years later, and the couple has two kids: Cameron and Stefan. Interestingly, Stefan has followed in his dad’s footsteps and is also a news anchor. Nowadays, Carol works as a real estate agent in New York City, and Lester has nothing but praise for her unwavering support despite his demanding schedule.
Lester and his wife, Carol.
In a 2015 interview with Extra, Lester opened up about their relationship, saying, “We laugh a lot, we really do. I can be silly, she can be sillier. We just laugh through things, and we know that tough times will be a story at some point, and boy, have I put her through some tough times with this job.” He added, “I love her to death. She has been so wonderful. She knows this job is going to bring a lot of late-night phone calls, but she’s there for me, and that means an awful lot.”
A Net Worth That Matches His Impact
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lester Holt is pulling in a cool $4 million a year, bringing his total net worth to $12 million. His career journey has been nothing short of impressive. After anchoring newscasts across the country, he joined MSNBC in 2000 and NBC News in 2003. Today, he’s not only hosting NBC Nightly News but also Dateline NBC. His commanding presence on screen has made him a go-to choice for Hollywood when they need a news anchor. He’s played anchors in The Fugitive, Miracle on 34th Street, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and House of Cards. And let’s not forget his five memorable appearances on 30 Rock. At 59, Lester Holt is definitely a man in high demand.
View this post on InstagramWe carried a story on @nbcnightlynews about how a Swedish study found dog owners had a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Don’t know about that, but I do know about all the other great things little Lucy brings to our lives!
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