Trevor Noah was born on 20 February 1984 to Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, a Xhosa South African, and Robert, a Swiss-German national. Because interracial relationships were prohibited under apartheid, his birth was a criminal offence. Today, at 42, he is a globally renowned stand-up comedian, bestselling author, and former host of The Daily Show, whose acclaimed work is deeply rooted in his parents' lives.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, born 24 September 1964, is a Xhosa South African whose defiance of apartheid shaped her son's career and comedy.
- Robert, a Swiss-German restaurateur, was 22 years older than Patricia; their relationship violated apartheid's Immorality Act.
- Trevor left The Daily Show in December 2022 after seven years; his fifth Netflix special, Joy in the Trenches, dropped on 14 April 2026.
- Trevor is not married and has no children; past partners include Minka Kelly and Jordyn Taylor.
- His net worth is estimated at $100 million as of 2026.
Profile summary
Full name | Trevor Noah |
Date of birth | 20 February 1984 |
Age | 42 years old (as of October 2026) |
Place of birth | Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Profession | Stand-up comedian, author, podcast host |
Education | Maryvale College |
Relationship status | Single |
Children | None |
Parents | Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah (mother); Robert (father) |
Siblings | Isaac Shingange, Andrew Shingange |
Zodiac sign | Pisces |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (181 cm) |
Hair / Eye colour | Black / Dark brown |
Net worth | ~$100 million |
Trevor Noah's parents
Trevor was born to a Swiss-German father and a Xhosa mother during one of South Africa's most turbulent periods. Their racial and cultural differences created challenges that Trevor has spoken and written about extensively.
Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah
Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah was born in South Africa in the mid-1950s. Raised in Soweto and later Transkei, her resilient and defiant spirit under apartheid proved to be a defining influence on her son’s life and career.
She grew up in Soweto before relocating to Transkei, where she lived with her paternal aunt. At a missionary school in Transkei, she learnt English. At 21, she began training as a secretary, a profession barred to black South Africans under apartheid.
Patricia worked at a local factory, paid in meals rather than wages. When racial restrictions on clerical work were reduced in the 1980s, she secured a role at a pharmaceutical company near Johannesburg. She later moved to Hillbrow, a liberal neighbourhood in the city, renting a flat under a white man's name. Before securing the flat, she slept in public restrooms. She wore a maid's uniform and carried an identity document to avoid arousing suspicion from authorities.
Her defiant spirit became the defining influence on her son's worldview and his career as a comedian and author.
Robert
Trevor Noah's father, Robert, is a Swiss-German national who lived across from Patricia's apartment in Hillbrow. He was approximately 22 years older than Patricia when they met.
Before moving to South Africa, Robert worked as a chef in Montreal and New York. In South Africa, he acquired a special licence allowing him to open and operate what was reportedly the first racially integrated steakhouse in Johannesburg. He remains a private figure; his surname has not been publicly confirmed.
Patricia and Robert met in their apartment building in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. Despite their age gap and the strict racial laws of the time, an unlikely friendship developed between them.
Their relationship
Trevor Noah's parents never married. In his memoir Born a Crime, Trevor describes how his mother proposed to Robert that he father a child with her, an act Patricia framed as personal resistance against the apartheid regime. Robert eventually agreed.
Trevor's birth certificate does not list his father's name. Patricia gave a false country of origin for the father to account for Trevor's complexion. Trevor Noah told NPR in 2016;
My father would not hold my hand or anything because he could not be seen to be the father of a mixed-race child.
To shield Trevor from further scrutiny, Patricia enrolled him in a coloured daycare and asked a coloured neighbour to pose as his mother when necessary, while she posed as the child's caretaker.
Source: Getty Images
In 1992, Patricia married Abel Shingange Ngisaveni, with whom she had two more sons: Isaac and Andrew Shingange.
What happened to Patricia Noah?
Patricia's first marriage to Abel was marked by severe domestic violence. After years of abuse, Abel allegedly shot Patricia twice, in the head and the buttock, leaving her for dead. She survived, and has attributed her recovery to her faith.
Trevor Noah told Oprah;
My mother stood up at a time when many people were afraid to stand up when a country was being punished for standing up.
Trevor has described the incident as the most terrifying day of his life. It features prominently in his memoir and in his Netflix special Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia.
Career
Trevor built his reputation as one of South Africa's most original comedians before relocating to the United States. He joined Comedy Central's The Daily Show as a correspondent in 2014, taking over as host from Jon Stewart in September 2015. He stepped down in December 2022 after seven years at the helm.
Since leaving, Trevor has returned to touring, podcasting, and authorship. His memoir Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (2016) became a New York Times bestseller. A film adaptation is in development, with Lupita Nyong'o set to play Patricia and South African director Liesl Tommy attached to direct.
He hosts the podcast What Now? with Trevor Noah, which continues to release episodes as of 2026. He also hosted the Grammy Awards for the sixth consecutive year in February 2026.
Relationships
Trevor Noah is not married and has no children. His known past relationships include:
- Dani Gabriel (2014–2015): a South African physiotherapist; they separated when Trevor relocated permanently to New York.
- Jordyn Taylor (2015–2018): an American model and singer; the couple dated for nearly three years before splitting in the summer of 2018.
- Minka Kelly (2020–2022): an American actress; sources confirmed the relationship to People magazine in 2020. They were reported to have parted ways by May 2022.
- Dua Lipa (2022): the pair were photographed together in September 2022, though neither confirmed an official relationship.
- Zoë Leila Mabie (2024): The talented comedian was briefly linked to the South African influencer after they appeared in group trip photos together.
As of October 2026, Trevor has not confirmed a current partner.
Latest news (2026)
Trevor Noah released his fifth Netflix stand-up special, Joy in the Trenches, on 14 April 2026. The special was directed by David Paul Meyer and focuses on finding humour in turbulent times. It references Donald Trump's legal threats against Noah, a response to a joke Trevor made while hosting the 2026 Grammy Awards on 1 February 2026.
Source: Getty Images
Trevor is currently on an Asia Tour, with shows scheduled in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur in November 2026. His podcast continues to release new episodes.
Net worth
Trevor Noah's net worth is estimated at approximately $100 million as of 2026. His earnings derive from his years hosting The Daily Show, sold-out stand-up tours, Netflix deals, book royalties, his podcast, and brand partnerships.
FAQ
- Does Trevor Noah have a wife? No. He has never been married and has no confirmed current partner as of 2026.
- What is Trevor Noah diagnosed with? The famous comedian has spoken publicly about being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. He also underwent surgery for a vocal cord polyp in 2018 following a diagnosis that threatened his performing career.
- What does Trevor Noah identify as? Trevor identifies as South African and as a person of mixed-race heritage, the son of a Xhosa mother and a Swiss-German father. He has spoken extensively about navigating multiple racial identities during and after apartheid.
- Who is Trevor Noah's ex? His most notable ex-partners are Minka Kelly (2020–2022), Jordyn Taylor (2015–2018), and Dani Gabriel (2014–2015). He was also linked to pop star Dua Lipa in 2022.
- Who are Trevor Noah's parents? His mother is Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, a Xhosa South African born on 24 September 1964. His father is Robert, a Swiss-German national who met Patricia in Johannesburg.
- What is Trevor Noah's book? His celebrated memoir is Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (2016). A film adaptation starring Lupita Nyong'o as Patricia is in development.
- How tall is Trevor Noah? Trevor Noah stands 5 ft 11 in (181 cm) tall.
Trevor Noah's mom, Patricia Nombuyiselo Noah, played a vital role in her son's success. Her unique ability to use humour and her religious belief to overcome the struggles of poverty, racial segregation and domestic violence have shaped Trevor's career as a political commentator, author and comedian. She has two more sons, Isaac and Andrew Shingange.
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