Who is Lester Holt?
Lester Don Holt Jr. is an American news anchor for the weekday edition of NBC Nightly News, NBC Nightly News Kids Edition, and Dateline NBC. On June 18, 2015, Holt was made the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News following the demotion of Brian Williams. Holt followed in the career footsteps of Max Robinson, an ABC News evening co-anchor, and became the first Black male solo anchor for a major network newscast.
According to a 2018 poll, Holt was ranked as America’s most trusted TV news anchor. He also moderated the first presidential debate of 2016, receiving mixed reviews—credited for fact-checking the candidates while struggling to control the debate and maintain time restrictions.
Lester Holt Age & Early Life
Lester Holt was born on March 8, 1959, on Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County, California. As of 2025, he is 66 years old. Holt developed an early interest in journalism and followed a path that led him to become one of the most distinguished news anchors in America.
Lester Holt Parents, Siblings & Ethnic Background
Holt’s father, Lester Don Holt Sr., was an Air Force technician, and his mother, June (née DeRozario) Holt, had Jamaican heritage. His maternal grandfather, Canute DeRozario, was of Anglo-Indian descent from Spanish Town, Jamaica. Canute’s father was Indian from Calcutta, and his mother was an English-born White Jamaican. Holt’s maternal grandmother, May, was an Afro-Jamaican from Manchester Parish, Jamaica, but grew up in Harlem, New York.
His father was an African American from Michigan with roots in Tennessee and was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska for four years during the Vietnam War. Holt was introduced to broadcasting by his older brother, a disc jockey at a local radio station in Anchorage, Alaska.
Lester Holt was the youngest of four children in his family. His older siblings have largely stayed out of the public eye, but one of his brothers played a crucial role in his introduction to broadcasting. Holt’s brother worked as a disc jockey in Anchorage, Alaska, which inspired Holt to pursue a career in journalism.
Lester Holt Education
Holt graduated from Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova in 1977. He studied government at California State University, Sacramento, though he did not graduate. He later received an honorary degree in 2015 and honorary Doctorates in Humane Letters from Rutgers University (2020) and Villanova University (2023).
Lester Holt Height & Physical Appearance
Holt stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters). Over the years, fans have noticed changes in his physique, leading to speculation about his health and weight loss journey.
Lester Holt Wife & Kids
Lester Holt has been married to Carol Hagen, a real estate agent, since 1982. The couple has two sons, Stefan and Cameron Holt.
Who is Stefan Holt?
Stefan Holt is an accomplished journalist following in his father’s footsteps. He graduated from Pepperdine University in 2009 and began his career as a news anchor. Stefan has worked at several NBC-owned stations, including WMAQ-TV in Chicago and WNBC in New York.
Currently, he serves as the 10:00 pm news anchor at WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Over the years, Stefan has covered major stories and gained recognition for his reporting skills, further establishing Holt’s legacy in broadcast journalism.
Lester Holt Career & Achievements
Holt spent 19 years with CBS, working as a reporter, anchor, and international correspondent.
- 1981: Joined WCBS-TV in New York City as a reporter.
- 1982: Became a reporter and weekend anchor at KNXT in Los Angeles.
- 1983: Returned to WCBS-TV as a reporter and weekend anchor.
- 1986–2000: Spent 14 years at WBBM-TV in Chicago, anchoring the evening news and reporting internationally from Iraq, Northern Ireland, Somalia, El Salvador, and Haiti.
- 2000: Joined MSNBC as an anchor.
- 2003: Took on full-time duties at NBC News as a substitute anchor for NBC Nightly News and Today.
- 2007–2015: Hosted the weekend edition of NBC Nightly News.
- 2015–2025: Took over as the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News after Brian Williams’ departure.
- 2025: Announced as the full-time host of Dateline NBC following his departure from NBC Nightly News.
- Ongoing: Covers major news events, including presidential debates and international conflicts.
Awards and Honors
- 1990: Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for CBS’s 48 Hours: No Place Like Home.
- 2012: Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine University.
- 2015: Honorary Doctorate from California State University, Sacramento.
- 2015: Inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
- 2016: Alan B. DuMont Broadcaster of the Year from Montclair State University.
- 2016: NABJ Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists.
- 2018: Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism.
- 2019: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.
- 2020: Honorary Doctorate from Rutgers University.
- 2023: Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication from the Arthur W. Page Center.
- 2023: Honorary Doctorate from Villanova University.
Is Lester Holt Leaving NBC? What Happened?
On February 24, 2025, it was announced that Holt would leave NBC Nightly News in the summer of 2025 after ten years as host. He will transition to become the full-time host of the NBC news magazine show Dateline following his departure. This move marks a shift in his role at NBC, but he will remain an integral part of the network.
Is Lester Holt Ill? Weight Loss & Health Updates
Concerns have been raised about Lester Holt’s health due to noticeable weight loss in recent years. However, there have been no official reports confirming any illness. Holt continues to maintain an active presence on NBC and social media, reassuring fans about his well-being.
Has Lester Holt Retired?
As of 2025, Lester Holt has not retired. While he is leaving NBC Nightly News, he will continue to work with NBC as the full-time host of Dateline NBC, ensuring his presence in journalism remains strong.
Lester Holt Social Media
Stay updated with Lester Holt’s latest news and personal insights by following him on social media:
- Twitter/X: @LesterHoltNBC
- Instagram: @LesterHoltNBC
Final Thoughts
Lester Holt’s impact on journalism is undeniable. His trusted reporting continues to shape the industry. While he is transitioning away from NBC Nightly News, his move to Dateline NBC ensures that he remains a significant force in broadcast journalism.
Stay tuned for more updates!
