Carol Hagen is a licensed real estate agent and the wife of veteran NBC journalist Lester Holt. Born in 1959 in Seattle, Washington, she has lived a deliberately private life. The couple married on 8 May 1982 and have two sons together. According to Lester, laughter is the secret behind their marriage's success. He said in a 2015 interview with the Extra show.
"We just laugh through things, and we know that everything, tough times, will be a story at some point... I love her to death; she has been so wonderful."
Source: Getty Images
Key takeaways
- Carol Hagen was born in 1959 in Seattle, Washington, USA.
- She is a licensed real estate agent specialising in relocation and resale in New York City.
- Carol and Lester Holt have been married for over 44 years, since 8 May 1982.
- Their sons are Stefan Holt, a TV news anchor, and Cameron Holt, a finance professional.
Profile summary
Full Name | Carol Hagen |
Year of Birth | 1959 |
Age | 66–67 (as of 2026) |
Place of Birth | Seattle, Washington, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian-white |
Profession | Real estate agent |
Relationship Status | Married |
Husband | Lester Holt (married 8 May 1982) |
Children | Stefan Holt, Cameron Holt |
Grandchildren | Henry, Samuel (Stefan's sons) |
Carol Hagen leads a private life
Carol Hagen was born in 1959 in Seattle, Washington. She is an American citizen with Caucasian-white ethnicity. Little is known about her early life and parents, as she has chosen to keep those details private.
Her exact date and month of birth have not been confirmed publicly. Her parents' names and backgrounds have also not been disclosed.
What ethnicity is Carol Hagen?
Carol Hagen is white. She has Caucasian-white ethnicity. She was born in Seattle, Washington, making her an American citizen by birth.
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Carol Hagen's career: flight attendant to real estate agent
Carol began her working life as a flight attendant, travelling widely across the United States. She also spent time in the cosmetics industry, working in sales, training, and management roles.
She later became a licensed real estate agent based in New York City. Her speciality is helping clients relocate with ease and maximising resale potential on properties.
During her marriage to Lester Holt, the couple have relocated several times. These moves have included periods in Los Angeles, California, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. The family currently lives in Manhattan, New York.
Is Carol Hagen an artist?
There is no verified information that Carol Hagen works as a professional artist. She is primarily known as a licensed real estate agent.
Carol Hagen, Lester Holt's wife, is not an artist but a licensed real estate agent. There is a Montana artist named Carol Hagan, who owns a studio, Carol Hagan Studios, south of Billings, Montana.
Carol Hagen's husband: who is Lester Holt?
Source: Getty Images
Lester Holt is a veteran American journalist and news anchor. He was born on 8 March 1959 in Hamilton Air Force Base, Marin County, California. He is 67 years old as of 2026.
His parents are June DeRozario (mother) and Lester Don Holt Senior (father). He is the youngest of four siblings.
Holt attended Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, graduating in 1977. He then studied government at California State University, Sacramento, but did not complete his degree.
Lester Holt's career highlights
Lester built a career spanning decades in broadcast journalism:
- 1981–1982: Reporter, WCBS-TV
- 1982–1983: Weekend anchor and reporter, KNXT
- 1983–1986: Anchor, WCBS-TV
- 1986–2000: Anchor and reporter, WBBM-TV
- 2000–2003: NBC News / MSNBC correspondent
- 2003–2015: Co-anchor, Weekend Today
- 2007–2015: Weekend anchor, NBC Nightly News
- 2011–present: Anchor, Dateline NBC
- 2015–2025: Anchor and managing editor, NBC Nightly News
In June 2015, Holt became the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News following the suspension of Brian Williams. In 2025, he stepped down from that role. Tom Llamas succeeded him as anchor on June 2 2025. Holt remains at NBC as the full-time anchor of Dateline NBC.
He told PEOPLE in August 2026 of his excitement for Dateline's 35th season, which officially premiered on September 25, 2026.
"When you see Dateline on your front doorstep, it may not be the best day of your life. It may be telling a difficult story and a difficult passage in your life. And so I kind of take strength in reminding people that we’re going to honor their story.”
Carol Hagen and Lester Holt's marriage
Carol and Lester met in 1980, when she was working as a flight attendant. The two became close friends and eventually started dating. The couple exchanged their wedding vows on 8 May 1982.
How long has Lester Holt been married to his wife?
Lester Holt and Carol Hagen married on 8 May 1982. They have been married for over 44 years as of 2026. In a June 2015 interview with the entertainment news show Extra, Lester said that laughter is the secret to their long marriage. He said:
"We laugh a lot; we do. I can be silly; she can be sillier. We just laugh through things, and we know that everything, tough times, will be a story at some point, and boy, have I put her through some tough times with this job."
He added:
"She understands that when the bell rings, I like to answer it; when the big story's going on, I want to be there… I love her to death, she has been so wonderful, she knows this job is going to bring a lot of late-night phone calls, but she's there for me, and that means an awful lot.”
Lester Holt and Carol Hagen's children
Carol and Lester have two sons: Stefan Holt and Cameron Holt.
Stefan Holt followed his father into broadcast journalism. He graduated from Pepperdine University and worked as a news anchor in West Palm Beach and Chicago. He then relocated to WNBC in New York City. Stefan has two sons, Henry and Samuel, who are Carol's grandchildren.
Cameron Holt pursued a different path. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical and Computational Science from Stanford University. He also earned a Master of Science in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford. Cameron works at Morgan Stanley.
Carol Hagen's net worth
Her exact net worth remains unknown. No official financial publication has revealed Carol's worth since she is relatively private. Some entertainment articles estimate she is a millionaire, but exact figures have not been confirmed. Her sources of income include:
- Real estate agent fees and commissions (New York City)
- Previous career as a flight attendant
- Previous work in cosmetics sales and management
Her husband, Lester Holt, has an estimated net worth of approximately $35 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His annual salary while anchoring NBC Nightly News was estimated at around $10 million per year.
Source: Getty Images
FAQ
- How old is Lester Holt's wife, Carol Hagen? Carol Hagen was born in 1959. She is approximately 66–67 years old as of 2026. Her exact birth date has not been publicly confirmed.
- How long has Lester Holt been married to his wife? Lester Holt and Carol Hagen married on 8 May 1982. They have been married for over 44 years as of 2026.
- How old is Carol Hagen? Lester Holt's wife was born in 1959. She is approximately 66–67 years old in 2026.
- Is there any information about Carol Hagen's illness? No verified information exists about Carol Hagen having an illness. No credible reporting has confirmed any health condition affecting her.
- Is Carol Hagen connected to the TV show Wanted: Dead or Alive? There is no verified connection between Carol Hagen and the television series Wanted: Dead or Alive. No credible source establishes any such link.
Carol Hagen can be described as an all-around successful person. She is an accomplished real estate agent, a loving wife and a caring mother. Her ability to manage fame and live her dream while remaining humble is undeniably incredible.
Tuko.co.ke published an article about Ryan Reynold's wife, Blake Lively. Blake is a heroine both on-screen and in real life. Whether she is fighting off a giant white shark in The Shallows or campaigning for the human rights of abused kids, she gives it 100 per cent.
The talented and charming American actress has put in hard work and determination to reach where she is at the moment. She is also a celebrity homemaker known for her love for cooking and interior decoration. While doing all this, she never forgets to look fashionable.
Source: TUKO.co.ke