Who Is Lester Holt’s Wife? A Look at Carol Hagen and Their Marriage

Who is Lester Holt’s wife? Her name is Carol Hagen, and she has been married to the longtime NBC News anchor for more than four decades. While Lester Holt is one of the most recognizable figures in American journalism, Carol has largely stayed out of the spotlight, choosing a private life built around family, career, and steady support rather than public attention. Their marriage is often admired not because it’s dramatic or high-profile, but because it has endured through demanding careers, constant change, and the pressures that come with life in the news.

Who Is Lester Holt?

Lester Holt is a respected broadcast journalist best known for his role as anchor of NBC Nightly News and his ongoing work with Dateline NBC. Over the years, he has become a trusted presence for millions of viewers, known for calm delivery, professionalism, and credibility during major national and global events.

In 2025, Holt stepped away from the nightly anchor desk to focus more fully on long-form reporting with Dateline, marking a new chapter in a career that has spanned decades. With such a visible and demanding job, it’s natural that viewers wonder about the personal life that supports that level of commitment—especially the partner who has been there from the beginning.

Is Lester Holt Married?

Yes, Lester Holt is married, and he has been for a very long time. He and Carol Hagen married in 1982, when both were just 23 years old. Their marriage began well before Holt became a national news figure, and it has continued through every stage of his career, from radio reporting to local television news to national anchoring roles.

The length of their relationship alone sets them apart in a media landscape where long-term marriages are often rare.

Who Is Lester Holt’s Wife?

Carol Hagen is Lester Holt’s wife. Although she is best known publicly through her connection to Holt, she has her own professional identity and career. Carol works in real estate, particularly in New York City, where she has been described as client-focused and discreet—qualities that align closely with how she handles her personal life.

Unlike many spouses of public figures, Carol has never sought fame or media attention. She appears at events when it matters, but she has consistently avoided becoming a public personality. This balance has allowed her to maintain independence while supporting her husband’s high-profile career.

How Lester Holt Met Carol Hagen

Lester Holt and Carol Hagen met long before fame entered the picture. At the time, Carol was working as a flight attendant, and Holt was a radio reporter in California. Their relationship began during a period when both were building their careers, and neither could have predicted where Holt’s path in journalism would eventually lead.

One often-shared anecdote from their early relationship highlights the reality of dating a reporter. During one of their first dates, Holt was called in to cover breaking news—a forest fire. Instead of being frustrated, Carol chose to go along with him. That moment has often been cited as an early sign that she understood the unpredictable nature of his work and was willing to adapt.

Their Wedding and Early Marriage

Lester Holt and Carol Hagen married on May 8, 1982, in San Francisco. Their wedding took place at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, marking the start of a marriage that would involve frequent moves, long hours, and constant professional transitions.

As Holt’s career advanced, Carol relocated with him as opportunities arose, including moves tied to television work and eventually to New York. Their early years together were shaped by flexibility and mutual support—qualities that would become essential as Holt’s responsibilities grew.

Family Life and Children

The couple has two sons, Stefan Holt and Cameron Holt. Stefan followed in his father’s footsteps and built a career in journalism, becoming a television news anchor in his own right. Cameron, meanwhile, has pursued a more private path.

Family has always been a central part of Holt’s life, despite the demands of his career. He has spoken in interviews about the importance of family dinners, shared values, and staying connected, even when work schedules were demanding.

In recent years, the family has expanded further. Lester Holt is now a grandfather, a role he has mentioned with clear pride and humor. These family milestones offer a glimpse into a life that exists quietly alongside his public responsibilities.

Life as a Journalist’s Spouse

Being married to a top journalist comes with unique challenges. News doesn’t operate on a fixed schedule, and major events can interrupt personal plans at any moment. Carol Hagen understood this reality early on, and that understanding appears to have been key to the longevity of their marriage.

Holt has credited Carol with being a steady, grounding presence—someone who understands the emotional weight of news coverage and provides balance at home. Rather than competing with his career, she built her own professional life while remaining a source of stability.

Why Lester Holt Keeps His Marriage Private

Despite Holt’s visibility, very little is publicly known about the details of his marriage, and that is by design. For journalists, credibility and trust are essential. Keeping personal life separate from professional work helps maintain those boundaries.

Carol Hagen’s preference for privacy reinforces this approach. She is not absent, but she is intentionally low-profile. Their relationship is acknowledged, not showcased, allowing them to live with a sense of normalcy that might otherwise be difficult to achieve.