Lester Holt met his wife Carol Hagen in 1980 when he was working as a radio anchor at KCBS in San Francisco, and she was a flight attendant for United Airlines. Their relationship began with an unconventional date when Holt, always on duty, had to cover a breaking news story—a raging forest fire in Napa Valley. Instead of canceling, he invited Carol along, and she enthusiastically agreed, setting the tone for their relationship. Just two years later, on May 8, 1982, they were married at the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. Both were 23 at the time, and their journey as a couple would soon take them across the country as Holt’s journalism career flourished.
Lester Holt’s Wife, Carol Hagen, and Their Two Children: All About Their Marriage, and Sons, Stefan and Cameron
Lester Holt and Carol Hagen’s early years together were marked by frequent relocations, with Holt’s job taking them from California to New York, then Chicago. Despite the upheaval, Carol remained steadfast, following him wherever his career led. When Holt landed a role at WBBM-TV in Chicago, they decided to settle down and start a family. Their first son, Stefan Holt, was born in 1987, followed by their second, Cameron, in 1990. Parenthood and embracing children into their lives only strengthened their bond, and they made Chicago their home for many years before eventually moving to New York City.
Stefan Holt grew up watching his father anchor the news and ultimately decided to follow in his footsteps. After graduating from Pepperdine University in 2009 with degrees in political science and broadcast journalism, Stefan launched his own career in television news. He started at WPBF-TV in Florida before moving to NBC 5 in Chicago. Today, he anchors at NBC 5 Chicago, working just as his father did decades earlier.
One particularly memorable moment came in 2017 when Stefan and Lester co-anchored a broadcast together, a full-circle moment for the father and son duo. Stefan is married to Morgan Holt, whom he met at Pepperdine. They wed in 2012 and have three sons—Henry, born in 2017, Samuel, born in 2019, and James, born in 2021. Lester, who embraces his role as a grandfather, has earned the affectionate nickname “Grand-dude” from his grandsons.
Cameron Holt, unlike his father and brother, took a different path, pursuing a career in finance. He attended Stanford University, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematical and computational science in 2012, followed by a master’s in management science and engineering in 2013. While he once interned at CNBC, he quickly realized journalism wasn’t for him, joking that reporters “work too hard.” He currently works as an executive director at Morgan Stanley in New York. Despite not entering the news business, Cameron remains close to his father, often exchanging messages about current events.
Over the decades, Lester Holt’s demanding career has never strained his marriage, and he credits laughter as the key to their lasting bond. In a 2015 interview, he revealed, “We laugh a lot, we really do. I can be silly, she can be sillier, and we just laugh through things.” Carol, now a successful real estate agent in New York City, echoes the sentiment. She has often said that she fell in love with “Lester Holt the man, not the TV guy.” She supported him through late-night calls, breaking news interruptions, and relentless travel, always understanding that reporting was his passion.
Carol’s real estate career took off as they settled in New York, and in 2017, she played a key role in selling their own Flatiron loft for $6.4 million. Described as an expert in luxury real estate, she continues to thrive professionally, even as she remains the unwavering support behind Holt’s career.
Their enduring partnership has been marked by milestones, both personal and professional. From raising their two sons to becoming grandparents to Lester Holt’s ascent to the anchor chair of NBC Nightly News in 2015, his wife Carol Hagen has been by his side through it all. Even now, as Holt prepares to step down from NBC Nightly News in 2025 to focus full-time on Dateline, their story remains one of love, dedication, and mutual respect. Whether he’s in the newsroom or at home with his grandchildren, Lester Holt is, above all, a devoted husband, father, and “Grand-dude.”
