Ryan Lizza Telos News, Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Allegations, Net Worth
Ryan Lizza Biography
Ryan Christopher Lizza (born July 12, 1974) is a prominent American political journalist, known for incisive long-form reporting. He studied at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a BA before launching his journalism career.
Lizza worked at The New Republic, The Atlantic, GQ, New York Magazine and other outlets. He then became Washington correspondent for The New Yorker, writing its signature “Letters from Washington” column. His 2017 interview with Anthony Scaramucci famously exposed internal White House chaos.
In 2017, The New Yorker cut ties with Lizza amid allegations of improper sexual conduct. However, CNN conducted its own review and found no reason to bar him from on‑air analysis, and he resumed work.
From 2019 to early 2025, Lizza served as Chief Washington Correspondent at Politico. He co‑authored the influential Playbook newsletter until controversies involving his then-fiancée, journalist Olivia Nuzzi, and her affair with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emerged.
In April 2025, Lizza left Politico and launched his own Substack publication, Telos News, focused on “mission-oriented journalism” amid what he calls a democratic crisis in Washington. He accused his former employer of issuing a cease-and-desist letter, alleging they tried to silence his critique of its Trump-era coverage.
In his formal response, Lizza revealed Telos now produces a podcast, a YouTube channel, and is available in 45 countries, with rapid subscriber growth.
On a personal note, Lizza was engaged to Olivia Nuzzi from 2022 until 2024. They have since broken up amid the public scandal.
Over his career, Lizza has earned reputation awards for his White House and congressional reporting.
Ryan Lizza Age | How Old is Ryan Lizza?
Ryan Lizza is 51 years old as of 2025. He was born on July 12, 1974, in the United States. As a seasoned American political journalist, Lizza has built a reputation for sharp political analysis and impactful long‑form reporting. Over five decades, he continues influencing media and political discourse with his insightful coverage of Washington.
Ryan Lizza Height | How Tall is Ryan Lizza?
Ryan Lizza stands at 5 ft 10 in (≈ 1.78 m), giving him an average height for an American male. This height complements his professional presence as a political journalist, allowing him to command attention during interviews, television appearances, and public speaking events. Lizza maintains a confident posture, reflecting his experience covering Washington politics and national affairs.
Ryan Lizza Wife
Ryan Lizza does not currently have a wife. He was previously engaged to political journalist Olivia Nuzzi from September 2022 to September 2024. During their breakup, he publicly referred to her as his ex-fiancée, citing controversy around her alleged relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nuzzi later withdrew a protective order request against Lizza.
Ryan Lizza Ex‑Wife
Ryan Lizza’s ex‑wife is Christina Irene Gillespie, a medical doctor. They married on June 20, 2004, in Washington, D.C. The couple had two children during their marriage. Eventually, they divorced, and Lizza now co‑parents their kids. Their relationship remains a part of his personal history as a prominent American political journalist.
Ryan Lizza Children | Kids
Ryan Lizza has two children, whom he shares with his ex‑wife, Dr. Christina Irene Gillespie. He balances his demanding career in political journalism with his role as a father. Moreover, his experience as a parent adds depth to his perspectives on family and personal life. Despite his busy schedule, Lizza remains committed to co‑parenting his children.
Ryan Lizza Family | Parents, Siblings
Ryan Lizza was born in Dix Hills, New York, to Frank Lizza Sr. and his wife. His father ran a construction business, rooted in their family’s Long Island legacy. He has a brother, Frank Jr., who faced legal troubles. Moreover, his grandfather Carlo Lizza built the family’s construction empire, contributing to highway and road projects in New York. Despite a turbulent family background, Lizza carved out his own path in American political journalism, rising to prominence in Washington, D.C.
Ryan Lizza & Olivia Nuzzi: Relationship, Scandal & Fallout
Ryan Lizza and Olivia Nuzzi, a noted political journalist, got engaged in September 2022. Later, their relationship turned deeply contentious amid a media and legal scandal.
In 2024, Nuzzi admitted she had a non‑physical “personal relationship” with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which raised conflict-of-interest concerns. She said she did not directly report on Kennedy during that period.
Then, Nuzzi accused Lizza of blackmail, harassment, and even hacking her devices. She alleged he threatened to destroy her career by leaking personal information. In contrast, Lizza firmly denied all claims and called them “defamatory lies.”
Subsequently, Nuzzi withdrew her request for a protective order against him. Their breakup marked the end of their engagement, and Lizza agreed to stop covering Kennedy at Politico to avoid further conflicts.
Ryan Lizza Allegations | Misconduct, Blackmail & Legal Disputes
Ryan Lizza has faced serious allegations over his career, spanning different periods. In 2017, The New Yorker severed ties with him over improper sexual conduct, claiming misconduct. He denied wrongdoing, saying the relationship was “respectful” and that the magazine rushed its decision. CNN later conducted a review and found “no reason” to keep him off air.
More recently, his ex-fiancée Olivia Nuzzi accused him of blackmail, harassment, and hacking her devices amid her affair with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In turn, Lizza denied all allegations and called them “false accusations.” Meanwhile, Politico, his former employer, sent him a cease-and-desist order, accusing him of violating a non-disparagement clause after he criticized their editorial choices.
Ryan Lizza’s Telos News
Ryan Lizza founded Telos News in April 2025 as an independent, reader-funded media platform. He created it because he saw a “crisis in Washington” that traditional outlets weren’t covering honestly.
Telos emphasizes mission-oriented journalism aimed squarely at democratic backsliding. It features long-form investigations, live Substack conversations and a flagship podcast planned for later in the year.
Since launch, Telos has gained subscribers in 45 countries and hit #1 on Substack’s “New Bestsellers” chart. Meanwhile, Lizza has publicly clashed with Politico, accusing the outlet of launching a censorship campaign against him.
Through Telos, Lizza offers a bold, independent commentary alternative. He appeals especially to readers frustrated with “ESPN-style” political journalism
Ryan Lizza Substack | His Telos News Newsletter Explained
Ryan Lizza launched his Substack newsletter, Telos News, in April 2025. He created it to deliver mission-oriented journalism focused on the “crisis in Washington.” Through Substack, he publishes long-form analysis, investigative articles, and live conversations with readers. Lizza funds Telos entirely via reader subscriptions, emphasizing its independent, reader-supported model.
Ryan Lizza on Bluesky | His Telos News Social Presence
Ryan Lizza maintains a verified Bluesky account under the handle ryanlizza.bsky.social. He links directly to Telos News from his profile, underscoring his commitment to mission-oriented journalism. Through Bluesky, he shares commentary, article links, and engages with his audience. Moreover, his use of Bluesky reflects Telos’s independent and community-driven ethos as a reader-funded media platform.
Ryan Lizza Net Worth
Ryan Lizza’s net worth is estimated at $500,000, reflecting his long career in political journalism. He earns steady income from Telos News, his independent platform. Moreover, he previously earned from major roles at Politico, CNN, and The New Yorker. His diversified media work strengthens his financial stability, even as he now focuses on independent reporting. Additionally, Lizza continues expanding his digital presence, which supports his overall earnings and long-term career growth.
