Jessica Tarlov is a well-known political commentator, strategist, and television host, most recognized for her role on Fox News’ The Five. Born on March 9, 1984, in New York City, she has built an impressive career in political analysis, earning degrees from Bryn Mawr College and the London School of Economics. Despite her public presence, Tarlov has kept much of her personal life out of the spotlight, especially when it comes to her marriage and family.
Who Is Jessica Tarlov’s Husband, Brian McKenna?
Jessica Tarlov, a co-host on The Five on Fox News, is married to Brian McKenna, a hedge fund executive she met during the pandemic, with their wedding taking place in 2021. While there are few public husband photos, Tarlov has shared glimpses of their life together, including her pregnancies with their daughters, Cleo and Teddy. Before marrying McKenna, some sources mention that Tarlov’s first husband was Russian Taekwondo athlete Roman Kuznetsov, though details about their relationship remain unclear.
Tarlov married Brian McKenna, a hedge fund executive, in 2021. Their relationship began in an unexpected yet romantic way—they were next-door neighbors during the pandemic. As the world shut down, the two grew closer, and in April 2021, she announced their engagement on the Fox Business Network’s Kennedy. Just weeks later, they tied the knot in a private ceremony. While wedding details remain largely undisclosed, fellow Fox News commentator Guy Benson shared a congratulatory post on X (formerly Twitter) along with a wedding photo.
In December 2021, Tarlov and McKenna welcomed their first daughter, Cleo Markie McKenna. The baby’s middle name, Markie, was a heartfelt tribute to Jessica’s father, Mark Tarlov, a filmmaker and political consultant who had passed away just months earlier, in July 2021. Dana Perino, Tarlov’s colleague on The Five, excitedly announced Cleo’s birth on-air, even joking that she was the tallest baby born at Mount Sinai Hospital that day.
Fast forward to January 10, 2024, Tarlov surprised her fellow panelists on The Five by revealing that she was pregnant again. She humorously referred to her “chonky condition” before officially confirming she was expecting her second daughter. On April 11, 2024, she and McKenna welcomed their second daughter, Teddy Tarlov McKenna. Once again, Perino shared the joyful news on Fox News, stating that Teddy weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 21 inches at birth. Tarlov later posted a photo on X, playfully noting that Cleo seemed unimpressed by her new baby sister.
Cleo hasn’t even seen Home Alone…having a baby sister must just have her in the ‘oh no!’ mood! We’re thrilled to add Teddy to the crew ❤️ Will be on maternity leave for next few months so to the haters and the losers, enjoy the break! I know I will with my girls 😘 pic.twitter.com/Ijms1Z18lN
— Jessica Tarlov (@JessicaTarlov) April 15, 2024
Though McKenna prefers to stay out of the limelight, Tarlov has occasionally shared glimpses of their life together. For Father’s Day in 2022, she posted a rare tribute to McKenna, describing him as an “incredible husband” and a devoted father. However, she also humorously noted that he dislikes having his picture taken—something that seems to be a recurring theme in her posts.
Before her marriage to McKenna, Jessica Tarlov was reportedly in a relationship with Roman Kuznetsov, a Russian Taekwondo athlete. While details of their relationship are sparse, they were known to be together before splitting in 2019. There is no concrete evidence suggesting that they were married, though some sources refer to Kuznetsov as her “first husband.”
Jessica Tarlov has been a fixture on Fox News since her first appearance in 2014. By 2017, she became a full-time contributor, and in 2022, she was named a co-host of The Five. She has built a reputation as the show’s resident Democrat, often offering a counterpoint to her more conservative co-hosts. While she has a strong presence on TV, she prefers to keep her private life just that—private. Even though wedding photos and personal family moments occasionally make their way to social media, she largely keeps those aspects of her life away from public scrutiny.
Balancing a high-profile career and motherhood has been a challenge for Tarlov, but she has spoken candidly about it. In a 2022 interview with Carry Media, she admitted that being pregnant on TV was difficult, from dealing with the physical toll to the added pressures of public scrutiny. However, she also noted that Fox News was supportive, even renewing her contract while she was on maternity leave.
Jessica Tarlov’s journey—from political strategist to television personality, from next-door neighbor to wife and mother—has been filled with both personal and professional milestones. While she remains a vocal and opinionated figure on national television, she continues to cherish the private moments with her husband, Brian McKenna, and their two daughters, Cleo and Teddy. And as much as her audience loves watching her spar with co-hosts on The Five, they also can’t help but be intrigued by the quieter, more personal side of her life that she chooses to share in glimpses.
