Margaret Brennan CBS News, Bio, Age, Husband, Salary & Net Worth

Who is Margaret Brennan?| Biography

Margaret Brennan is an American journalist and television news correspondent best known as the moderator of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on CBS. She also serves as CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and contributes to 60 Minutes.

Brennan was born in Connecticut and developed an interest in journalism during college. She graduated with highest distinction from the University of Virginia in 2002. There, she earned degrees in foreign affairs and Middle East studies, alongside a minor in Arabic. She later studied Arabic at Yarmouk University in Jordan as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar.

Before joining CBS News, Brennan built her career around financial and international reporting. She worked at CNBC before joining Bloomberg Television, where she covered global financial markets and geopolitical developments. Her work included coverage of the European debt crisis and the Arab Spring.

Brennan joined CBS News in 2012 as a correspondent covering the State Department. She later covered the White House and major international affairs, including Iran’s nuclear negotiations, relations with Cuba, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

In February 2018, CBS named Brennan moderator of Face the Nation. She became the second woman to hold the program’s moderator position, following Lesley Stahl. Since then, Brennan has interviewed presidents, vice presidents, foreign leaders, lawmakers, and other major newsmakers.

In October 2024, she also co-moderated the only vice-presidential debate of that election cycle. Currently, Brennan continues to moderate Face the Nation while covering foreign affairs for CBS News. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Yado Yakub, and their two sons.

Margaret Brennan Age | How Old Is Margaret Brennan

Margaret Brennan is 46 years old as of October 2026. She was born on March 26, 1980, in Stamford, Connecticut. Brennan celebrates her birthday every March, making her 46 in 2026. She developed a successful journalism career covering financial markets, foreign affairs, and American politics. Before joining CBS News, she worked at CNBC and Bloomberg Television. She joined CBS News in 2012 and later became the moderator of Face the Nation in 2018. Over the years, Brennan has interviewed prominent political leaders and covered major international developments. Today, she continues to serve as CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and moderator of Face the Nation. Her career has made her a familiar face in American political and international news coverage.

Margaret Brennan Height | How Tall is Margaret Brennan?

Margaret Brennan stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall. Her height makes her slightly above the average height for American women. Brennan has built a respected career as an American journalist and television correspondent. She currently serves as the moderator of Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan. She also covers major international affairs and diplomatic developments.

Margaret Brennan Ethnicity | What Is Margaret Brennan’s Ethnicity?

Margaret Brennan is of Irish American ethnicity. Her family has Irish roots on both sides. Her mother is fifth-generation Irish, while her father is third-generation Irish. Brennan has also spoken about her family connections to Galway, Limerick, and Sligo in Ireland. She grew up with a strong connection to her Irish heritage and attended Irish step-dancing classes as a child. Her background therefore reflects a longstanding Irish American family heritage. Brennan later developed an international career through journalism, including extensive coverage of foreign affairs.

Margaret Brennan Education

Margaret Brennan graduated with highest distinction from the University of Virginia in 2002. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies, with a minor in Arabic.During college, Brennan developed a strong interest in international affairs and the Middle East. She also studied Arabic at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan, as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar. Her international studies later supported her career covering diplomacy, foreign policy, and global affairs. Additionally, Brennan received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Niagara University.

Margaret Brennan Religion | What religion is Margaret Brennan?

Margaret Brennan follows the Catholic faith. The CBS journalist married Yado Yakub in April 2015 in Washington, D.C. Their ceremony incorporated traditions from both of their religious backgrounds. Brennan’s side included an adapted Catholic ceremony, while Yakub’s Muslim faith also featured through a Quran reading and traditional prayer. The ceremony concluded with an Irish blessing, reflecting Brennan’s Irish-American heritage. Therefore, Margaret Brennan’s religion is Catholic Christianity. However, religion remains a personal aspect of her life rather than a central part of her journalism career. She continues to work as the moderator of Face the Nation and CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent.

Margaret Brennan Husband | Is Margaret Brennan married?

Margaret Brennan is married to Yado Yakub, a lawyer and former U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate. The couple first met at the University of Virginia in 1998, although they did not begin dating until years later. They reconnected in Washington, D.C., in 2013 after Brennan joined CBS News. Yado proposed to Brennan in March 2014 at the University of Virginia, where they had first met. They married on April 11, 2015, at Decatur House in Washington, D.C. Their wedding combined Irish American and Syrian American traditions. Together, Margaret Brennan and Yado Yakub have two sons. The family lives in Washington, D.C., where Brennan continues her journalism career as CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and Face the Nation moderator.

Margaret Brennan Children

Margaret Brennan has two children, both sons, with her husband, Yado Yakub. Their first son, Eamon Brennan Yakub, was born on September 11, 2018. His name reflects both sides of his family’s heritage. Eamon has Irish roots, while its meaning also connects with Arabic. The couple welcomed their second son, Malek Murphy Yakub, on April 28, 2021. Malek means “king” in Arabic, while Murphy comes from Brennan’s Irish family heritage. Brennan and Yakub have kept much of their children’s lives private. However, Brennan has occasionally discussed motherhood and balancing family life with her demanding journalism career.

Margaret Brennan Family | Parents and Siblings

Margaret Brennan was born to Edward Brennan and Jane Brennan in Stamford, Connecticut, on March 26, 1980. She grew up in Connecticut and has Irish American heritage through her family. Her father’s family has roots in County Galway, while her mother’s family has connections to County Sligo in Ireland. Brennan has spoken about her Irish background and its influence on her family life. She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich before studying at the University of Virginia. Information about Margaret Brennan’s siblings remains limited publicly, and she has generally kept her extended family away from the spotlight.Today, Brennan lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Yado Yakub, and their two sons.

Margaret Brennan CBS Career News | Face the Nation

Margaret Brennan began her journalism career in 2002 as a producer for CNBC’s Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser. She then became a CNBC correspondent, covering consumer issues during the 2008 financial crisis. Later, Brennan joined Bloomberg Television and spent about a decade covering global financial markets. She anchored programs and reported from different locations around the world.

In 2012, Brennan joined CBS News as a State Department correspondent. She later became a White House correspondent and senior foreign affairs correspondent. During this period, she covered major international stories involving Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

In February 2018, CBS appointed Brennan as moderator of “Face the Nation.” She became the second woman to hold the position in the program’s history. Since then, she has interviewed presidents, vice presidents, lawmakers, foreign leaders, and other prominent newsmakers. Brennan serves as CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent and continues moderating Face the Nation. She also contributes to 60 Minutes and regularly appears on the CBS Evening News.

Margaret Brennan Salary

Margaret Brennan reportedly earns an estimated $3.8 million per year through her work at CBS News. Brennan currently serves as the moderator of Face the Nation and CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent. She also contributes to 60 Minutes and regularly appears on the CBS Evening News. Her current roles reflect her senior position within the network and her extensive journalism experience. Brennan joined CBS News in 2012 and became moderator of Face the Nation in February 2018. Therefore, her estimated salary reflects her long-standing career, senior responsibilities, and prominent position at CBS.

Margaret Brennan Net Worth

Margaret Brennan has an estimated net worth of around $10 million to $15 million as of 2026. Her wealth comes primarily from her long-standing career in television journalism and senior roles at CBS News. Brennan currently serves as the moderator of Face the Nation and CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent. She also contributes to 60 Minutes and appears regularly on the CBS Evening News. Additionally, Brennan spent years covering financial markets for Bloomberg Television before joining CBS News in 2012. Her extensive experience has helped establish her as a prominent television journalist. Furthermore, her estimated wealth reflects her career earnings, professional responsibilities, and longevity in broadcast journalism.

Biography Summary