Megyn Kelly’s love story with Douglas Brunt wasn’t one she saw coming. Back in 2006, she was a rising star in broadcast journalism, and he was the CEO of the internet security firm Authentium. They were set up on a blind date in Washington, D.C., but not before Kelly’s friends did a little reconnaissance work. They scoped out the bar where Brunt was waiting and, after giving their approval, she walked in to meet the man who would change her life.
Unlike the flashy, overconfident men she had been drawn to in the past, Brunt was reserved, quietly confident, and, most importantly, completely unshaken by her strong personality. That first date turned into something real, and by September 2007, Brunt was down on one knee, proposing with a costume ring just so he could ask the question as soon as he knew she was the one.
Who Is Megyn Kelly’s Husband? All About Douglas Brunt
On March 1, 2008, they tied the knot in a breathtaking ceremony at Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York. Surrounded by 130 guests, Kelly walked down the aisle in an ivory gown, the event officiated by her Fox News colleague, Kelly Wright. It was the start of a marriage that would endure the ups and downs of public life, career shifts, and raising a family.
Just a year later, their journey as parents began when their first child, Edward Yates, was born in September 2009. Their daughter, Yardley Evans, arrived on April 14, 2011, and their youngest son, Thatcher Bray, followed on July 23, 2013. Kelly has often said that no career achievement compares to the fulfillment she’s found in her marriage and motherhood.
Before Brunt, Kelly was married to Daniel Kendall, an anesthesiologist. They wed in 2001 but divorced in 2006. While she hasn’t spoken extensively about their marriage, Kendall once explained that their split was due to busy careers pulling them in different directions. In 2015, he clarified that there was no major scandal—just a simple case of two people growing apart. However, Kelly has alluded to struggles in past relationships, suggesting that not all of them were as harmonious as her current marriage.
Douglas Brunt, born on August 25, 1971, in Philadelphia, took an unconventional path. He attended The Haverford School and later Duke University. His early career saw him working for Booz Allen Hamilton and a venture capital firm before he took the reins at Authentium. But corporate life didn’t fulfill him. By 2011, he sold the company to Commtouch, stepped down as CEO, and decided to pursue writing full-time.
He became a New York Times best-selling author, with books like Ghosts of Manhattan making waves. His transition from tech CEO to novelist was partly inspired by conversations with Kelly, who saw his talent before he did. Today, he also hosts the podcast Dedicated with Doug Brunt, where he interviews bestselling authors while sharing a drink of their choice.
Their relationship wasn’t always easy, especially in the early days. Kelly had a stalker at the time, so their first few dates were chaperoned by security guards. Even their first kiss wasn’t truly private. Brunt recalls feeling like they were being monitored by a team of bodyguards, which made for a rather awkward moment. But as their bond deepened, they navigated public life together.
When Kelly became one of the most talked-about journalists in America, especially during her time at Fox News and her clash with Donald Trump in 2016, Brunt was her rock. He was there through the backlash, the media scrutiny, and her high-profile departure from NBC in 2019. Brunt has admitted that watching his wife face attacks in the press was difficult, but they tackled it as a team.
While Megyn Kelly is known for her strong political stances and fearless journalism, her husband Douglas Brunt remains more private when it comes to politics. He rarely speaks publicly about his views, preferring to let his wife take center stage. Even when Kelly endorsed Donald Trump in 2024 after years of tension between them, Brunt remained largely silent on the matter. Instead, his focus is on his writing, his podcast, and their children.
.@guypbenson wedding made me remember our own in 2008. I love this amazing woman more every day. Years later, lots of laughs and blessed w/three beautiful kids. Can’t imagine living this life with anyone else – wish I could slow it down. pic.twitter.com/jdwAEI11Jr
— Douglas Brunt (@DougBrunt) September 8, 2019
Through it all, their marriage has remained solid. In 2019, Brunt tweeted, “I love this amazing woman more every day. Years later, lots of laughs and blessed with three beautiful kids. Can’t imagine living this life with anyone else.” Their secret? Open communication, honesty, and a willingness to put in the work. Brunt describes Kelly as “the most self-aware person” he knows, always striving to strengthen relationships, whether with him, their kids, or her family. They don’t let issues fester; they talk things out. And when the world feels chaotic, they have each other to lean on.
