What is Lester Holt’s Net Worth and Salary?
Lester Holt, the American news journalist and anchor, has a net worth of $35 million and an annual salary of $10 million at NBC. He is best known for hosting “NBC Nightly News” and “Dateline NBC,” and is the first African-American to anchor a major American weekday nightly news program alone. Holt also moderates presidential debates and has numerous TV credits, including hosting documentaries and making cameo appearances in TV shows and films.
Lester Holt’s Background
Lester Don Holt Jr. was born on March 8th, 1959 on an Air Force base in Marin County, California. He was mostly raised in Sacramento alongside 3 siblings and has Jamaican, Indian, and European heritage. Holt attended California State University in Sacramento but did not graduate, studying government instead. While in college, he got his first job as a disc-jockey on a local country and western radio station.
Lester Holt’s Career in Broadcasting
Lester Holt pursued a career as a news presenter realizing it was the only way to advance in the broadcasting industry. He worked as a disc-jockey throughout college, but noticed that only full-time jobs in broadcasting involved presenting the news. Holt began his career with CBS in the early 80s and worked for the network for 19 years. His first job was with WCBS-TV in New York City, and he worked as an anchor there for a year. In 1982, he landed a job as a weekend anchor and reporter for a CBS affiliate in Los Angeles. After a year in LA, Holt returned to New York and worked for CBS for three years. In 1986, he became a prominent figure at a CBS News affiliate in Chicago. During his 14 years in Chicago, Lester became the anchor for the evening news. He was also sent into warzones and other dangerous areas throughout the world to act as a correspondent.
Lester Holt’s Career Highlights and Controversies
Lester Holt joined MSNBC in 2000 and became a full-time substitute anchor for “NBC Nightly News” and “Today” in 2003. He then became the co-anchor of “Weekend Today” and hosted his own 2-hour daily newscast. In 2007, he was named the anchor for the weekend edition of “NBC Nightly News” and later became the permanent anchor for the weekday edition.
In 2018, “NBC Nightly News” lost its position as the most-watched evening news broadcast in America to ABC news. Many attribute this to the lack of high-profile, celebrity status anchors at NBC.
Holt faced controversy during the 2016 presidential debates when some accused him of favoring Hillary Clinton with “soft” questions while being harsher on Donald Trump. He later changed his party status to “Independent.” President Trump later stated that Holt “did a good job” during the debates. In 2017, Holt interviewed Trump and was accused by the president of altering or doctoring the interview in some way to distort public opinion of him.
Lester Holt’s Acting Career and Television Credits
Lester Holt has had small cameo appearances in films like “The Fugitive,” “U.S. Marshalls,” and “Primal Fear.” He has also appeared on various TV shows, often playing himself, including “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Due South,” “Early Edition,” “Warehouse 13,” and “30 Rock.”
In addition to his acting work, Holt has hosted dog shows and documentaries such as “Mystery of the Crystal Skulls” on the History Channel.
Lester Holt’s Personal Life
Lester Holt is married to Carol Hagen and they have two sons. One of his sons, Stefan Holt, is also a successful news anchor. Lester is a Christian and enjoys playing the bass guitar. He is also a grandfather, thanks to his son Stefan who has children of his own.
Lester Holt’s NBC Salary
Lester Holt serves as news anchor for “NBC Nightly News,” “Dateline NBC,” and other projects within the network. He earns a salary of $10 million per year for his various roles at NBC.
Lester Holt Sells Manhattan Condo for $6.4 Million
Lester Holt, the NBC Nightly News anchor, sold his Manhattan condo in 2017 for $6.4 million. The sale was handled by his wife, who is a real estate agent. Holt purchased the apartment in 2007 for $3.22 million. The condo, located in the Grand Madison building, features 11-foot ceilings, a private balcony overlooking Madison Square Park, large windows, and a built-in espresso maker. The Grand Madison building, built in 1906, is known for its Beaux-Arts-style architecture.
