Manu Raju CNN Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Children, Career, Salary & Net Worth

Who is Manu Raju? | Biography

Manu Raju is an American journalist, CNN anchor, and respected congressional correspondent based in Washington, D.C. He covers Congress, national elections, and major political battles shaping the United States. Moreover, he anchors CNN’s Sunday program, Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju.

His parents welcomed him on February 9, 1980, in Downers Grove, Illinois. He grew up in nearby Darien within an Indian American family. His parents, Tonse Raju and Vidya Raju, emigrated from Karnataka, India, during the 1970s. Meanwhile, his grandfather, Gopalakrishna Adiga, gained recognition as an influential Kannada poet.

Raju attended Hinsdale South High School before joining the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2002. However, student journalism quickly shaped his career direction. He reported for The Badger Herald, became its sports editor, and worked with campus radio station WSUM.

After college, Raju moved to Washington and covered environmental policy for Inside Washington Publishers. He later reported for Congressional Quarterly, The Hill, and Politico. During seven years at Politico, he established himself as a persistent Capitol Hill reporter. CNN hired him in 2015, expanding his national audience and political reporting responsibilities.

At CNN, Raju has covered presidential campaigns, congressional leadership fights, government shutdowns, and major elections. Additionally, his direct interviews often produce revealing comments from senators and House members. CNN named him chief congressional correspondent and selected him to anchor Inside Politics Sunday in 2023.

His journalism has earned several major honors. These include a Merriman Smith Award, a Joan Shorenstein Barone Award, and a David Bloom Award. He also received a 2026 First Amendment Award. Away from television, Raju raises twins with his wife, Archana Mehta. He also enjoys Chicago sports.

Manu Raju Age | How Old is Manu Raju?

Manu Raju is 46 years old in 2026. His parents welcomed him on February 9, 1980, in Downers Grove, Illinois. He spent his childhood in nearby Darien and grew up within an Indian American family. Moreover, the CNN journalist’s zodiac sign is Aquarius. Raju graduated from Hinsdale South High School in 1998. He later completed university studies in 2002, when he was approximately 22 years old. Afterward, he built his political journalism career across several Washington news organizations. Raju joined CNN at 35 in 2015. Today, his age reflects more than two decades of professional reporting experience in the field.

Manu Raju Height | How Tall is Manu Raju?

Manu Raju stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. His height equals roughly 173 centimeters, placing him near the average range for American men. Moreover, Raju maintains a lean and professional appearance during CNN broadcasts. His upright posture often makes him appear slightly taller while reporting from Capitol Hill. Additionally, formal suits create a polished frame suited to his television role. Camera angles, footwear, and positioning can sometimes change how tall he looks beside politicians. However, his listed stature remains around 5 feet 8 inches. Raju’s height complements his screen presence as CNN’s chief congressional correspondent and Inside Politics Sunday anchor.

Manu Raju Ethnicity | What ethnicity is Manu Raju?

Manu Raju is an Indian American journalist of South Asian ethnicity. His parents, Tonse N. K. Raju and Vidya Raju, emigrated from Karnataka, India. They settled near Chicago during the early 1970s and later built professional careers. Therefore, Raju grew up with strong connections to both American life and his Indian heritage. His family also has deep roots in Karnataka’s Kannada culture. Moreover, his grandfather, Gopalakrishna Adiga, became an influential modern Kannada poet. Raju’s ethnicity forms part of his family identity, although his nationality is American. He grew up in Darien, Illinois, alongside his brother, Sharat Raju, in suburban Chicago.

Manu Raju Education

Manu Raju completed his secondary education at Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Illinois. He graduated in 1998 and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 2002, Raju earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing. However, extracurricular journalism ultimately shaped his professional direction. He joined The Badger Herald as a student reporter and initially covered Wisconsin men’s hockey. Moreover, he advanced to sports editor while developing reporting and writing skills. Raju also worked for campus radio station WSUM. Additionally, he completed an internship with Madison’s NBC television affiliate. These practical experiences prepared him for a successful political journalism career in Washington.

Manu Raju Religion

Manu Raju has not publicly confirmed his religion or described his personal faith. Still, no reliable public record establishes whether he practices Hinduism, Christianity, or another belief system. Raju comes from an Indian American family with roots in Karnataka, India. Moreover, his grandfather, Gopalakrishna Adiga, became an influential Kannada poet. However, cultural heritage does not automatically determine an individual’s religion. Although family roots connect Raju to India, he has never publicly confirmed any religious identity. He primarily discusses journalism, politics, family, and his Chicago upbringing in interviews. Ultimately, describing Manu Raju’s religion as private offers the most accurate and respectful conclusion.

Manu Raju Wife | Is Manu Raju married?

Manu Raju is married to Archana Mehta, a marketing executive, entrepreneur, and trained mechanical engineer. Mehta moved from engineering into marketing and business leadership, building a versatile professional career. Moreover, Raju has publicly praised his wife as a talented business expert. The couple maintains a relatively private marriage while raising their family in the Washington, D.C., area. Raju and Mehta have twins, Sonya and Sanjay, who arrived in 2015. Additionally, their children participate in several sports, including soccer, tennis, basketball, swimming, and diving. Archana balances business interests with family life while Raju handles demanding congressional reporting and television duties.

Manu Raju Children | Twins Sonya and Sanjay

Manu Raju and his wife, Archana Mehta, have two children. They welcomed twins Sonya and Sanjay in 2015, shortly after Raju joined CNN. Sonya is their daughter, while Sanjay is their son. Moreover, the energetic siblings enjoy several athletic activities. Their interests include soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball, swimming, and diving. Raju occasionally discusses fatherhood, although he generally protects his children’s privacy. Additionally, the CNN anchor balances parenting with demanding congressional reporting and Sunday television duties. Mehta also manages her successful business career alongside family responsibilities. Together, the couple provides an active and supportive household for their two active, growing twins.

Manu Raju Family | Parents and Brother

Manu Raju comes from an Indian American family. His parents are Dr. Tonse N. K. Raju and Vidya Raju. They emigrated from Karnataka, India, and settled near Chicago during the 1970s. Moreover, both parents later worked at the National Institutes of Health. His father built a career as a neonatologist and pediatric medical researcher. Raju grew up in Darien, Illinois, with his older brother, Sharat Raju. Sharat works as a film and television director, writer, and producer. Additionally, he has directed episodes of American television dramas. The brothers also share the creative legacy of their grandfather, Kannada poet Gopalakrishna Adiga.

Manu Raju Career | CNN Roles and Journalism Awards

Manu Raju launched his career at The Badger Herald while attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He became sports editor and interned with Madison’s NBC affiliate. After graduating in 2002, Raju moved to Washington. He subsequently reported for Inside Washington Publishers, Congressional Quarterly, and The Hill.

Raju joined Politico and spent seven years covering Capitol Hill as a senior correspondent. There, he developed a reputation for political scoops, persistent questioning, and congressional reporting. CNN hired him in 2015. Moreover, he covered national campaigns, major elections, government shutdowns, impeachments, and leadership battles.

CNN promoted Raju to chief congressional correspondent in 2021. Additionally, he began anchoring Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju in 2023. He continues interviewing lawmakers and revealing private negotiations shaping policy. His honors include the Merriman Smith, Joan Shorenstein Barone, David Bloom, and Sacred Cat awards. In 2026, RTDNA honored Raju with a First Amendment Award for his watchdog journalism.

Manu Raju Salary | CNN Earnings

Manu Raju earns an estimated annual salary of $150,000 from CNN. However, CNN keeps contracts private, so no verified payroll figure exists. His compensation reflects two duties as chief congressional correspondent and anchor of Inside Politics Sunday. Besides his base salary, Raju may receive bonuses, coverage payments, speaking fees, and other income. Moreover, his national visibility and Washington experience strengthen his earning power within political journalism. Raju joined CNN in 2015 and became chief congressional correspondent in 2021. Additionally, CNN selected him to host Inside Politics Sunday in 2023. These expanded responsibilities likely increased his salary and compensation package.

Manu Raju Net Worth

Manu Raju has an estimated net worth of $1 million. He built this wealth through more than two decades in political journalism. However, Raju has never publicly disclosed his assets, investments, or financial records. His primary income comes from CNN, where he serves as chief congressional correspondent and anchors Inside Politics Sunday. Moreover, his senior position, election coverage, and television appearances support his long-term earnings. Raju can also earn money through speaking engagements, event moderation, and appearances. He previously spent seven years at Politico and worked for several Washington news organizations. Additionally, steady career growth has strengthened his financial position.

Biography Summary