At just 35 years old in 2025, Michael Knowles has built a $10 million net worth while earning a salary above $500,000 a year at The Daily Wire. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 145 pounds, the married father of three has been happily off the dating market since tying the knot with Alissa Mahler in 2018 after a 12-year romance. From Yale classrooms to White House cabinet meetings, Knowles has become one of the sharpest—and most polarizing—conservative voices of his generation.
Early Life & Age: A Catholic Kid from New York
Michael Knowles was born on March 18, 1990, in Bedford Hills, New York, to a devout Catholic family of Irish-Italian heritage. Tragedy struck early when his mother passed away during his high school years at Fox Lane High School, an event that deepened his eventual return to faith. From the age of seven he trained as an actor at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio, giving him the stage presence that still lights up his podcast and speaking events today.
Height, Weight & Everyday Discipline
Knowles stands 5’8″ (172 cm) and maintains a lean 145 lbs (66 kg). He follows intermittent fasting and regular resistance training—not for vanity, but because, in his words, “physical discipline mirrors moral discipline.” Fans who search “Michael Knowles height weight” are often surprised how relatable his build feels compared to the larger-than-life personas of some media figures.
Yale Education That Changed Everything
Graduating from Yale University in 2012 with honors in History and Italian, Knowles co-founded the campus effort to draft Mitch Daniels for president and served as an inaugural fellow of the William F. Buckley Jr. Program. It was at Yale that he reconverted to Catholicism after years of flirting with New Atheism. “Reading C.S. Lewis and Alvin Plantinga late at night in the library stacks wrecked me—in the best way,” he later said.
Career Journey: Actor → Daily Wire Star → History-Making Podcaster
After Yale, Knowles trained under legendary acting coach Wynn Handman and appeared in indie films and web series. In 2016 he joined The Daily Wire, and by 2017 he launched The Michael Knowles Show. His satirical blank book Reasons to Vote for Democrats became an Amazon bestseller and earned a shout-out from President Trump. His 2021 book Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds debuted at #1.
In 2025 he achieved a media first: becoming the first podcaster ever invited to a White House Cabinet meeting. His YouTube channel now has over 2.5 million subscribers and more than 1.26 billion lifetime views.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Joseph Knowles |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1990 (age 35 in 2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (172 cm) |
| Weight | 145 lbs (66 kg) |
| Net Worth 2025 | $10 million |
| Annual Salary | $500,000+ |
| Spouse | Alissa Mahler (m. 2018) |
| Children | Three sons (2021, 2023, 2024) |
| Education | Yale University (B.A. 2012) |
| Podcast | The Michael Knowles Show |
| YouTube Subscribers | 2.5 million+ |
| Books | Reasons to Vote for Democrats (2017), Speechless (2021) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Net Worth & Salary in 2025: How He Built Real Wealth
Multiple income streams push Knowles’ net worth past $10 million: Daily Wire salary, book royalties (over $1.2 million from Speechless alone), six-figure speaking fees, YouTube ad revenue, and merchandise. His podcast sponsorships lean heavily into faith-based and policy brands, creating higher listener loyalty than generic ads. Industry insiders project he’ll cross $15 million before age 40.
Married Life with Alissa Mahler: 12 Years of Dating, Lifelong Commitment
Knowles has been happily married to developmental psychologist Dr. Alissa Mahler since June 2018. The couple started dating in 2006 when they were just teenagers and kept the relationship remarkably private even as his fame exploded. They married in an intimate Catholic ceremony and now have three young sons. Knowles regularly calls Alissa his “Steady Love Anchor” and credits her quiet support for keeping him grounded through every controversy.
| Family Life | Details |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married since June 3, 2018 |
| Wife | Alissa Mahler, Ph.D. |
| Dating Since | 2006 (12 years before marriage) |
| Children | Three boys |
| Wedding Location | Church of St. Michael, New Jersey |
| Public Appearances Together | Rare – Alissa stays off social media |
2025 Updates & What’s Next
This year alone Knowles received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Ave Maria University, spoke at Turning Point USA’s America Comeback Tour, and sat in on a White House Cabinet meeting—an unprecedented milestone for independent media. Fans can expect a third book in late 2025 or early 2026 focusing on faith in a “post-woke” world.
Michael Knowles on Wikipedia →
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