As of November 2025, Rachel Maddow is 52 years old, stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs around 145–150 pounds, and has a net worth of $50 million. She earns a $25 million annual salary at MSNBC and has shared life with her partner, artist Susan Mikula, since 1999—they are not legally married but have built one of the most enduring partnerships in public life.
From California Athlete to Openly Gay Trailblazer
Rachel Anne Maddow was born on April 1, 1973, in Castro Valley, California. Growing up in a Catholic household with an Air Force veteran father and a school-administrator mother, she was a competitive swimmer and volleyball player who discovered her sexual orientation early.
At just 17, during her first semester at Stanford University, she came out as lesbian—a bold move in 1991 that made headlines on campus and foreshadowed the fearless authenticity she would bring to television decades later.
Academic Superstar: Stanford to Oxford Rhodes Scholar
Maddow graduated from Stanford with a degree in Public Policy in 1994, then became one of the first openly gay Americans to win a Rhodes Scholarship. She moved to Oxford and earned a Doctorate in Politics in 2001, focusing on HIV/AIDS policy in prisons.
That rare blend of Ivy-League-plus-Oxford rigor still powers her ability to unpack complex legislation and historical patterns on air with clarity most anchors can only dream of.
Height, Weight, and the Real Rachel Maddow Style
At 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) and roughly 145–150 pounds, Rachel has the lean, athletic build of someone who spent her youth in the pool and on the court. These days she keeps fit with long hikes around her 1865 farmhouse in western Massachusetts and occasional fishing trips.
Her trademark short hair, dark-rimmed glasses, and blazer-and-jeans combo have become as recognizable as her voice—proof that commanding a prime-time audience doesn’t require high heels or perfect hair.
Career Path: Radio Beginnings to MSNBC Icon
After finishing her Oxford thesis while doing yard work and odd jobs, Maddow landed her first radio gig in 1999. She rose quickly through progressive radio, joined Air America in 2005, and debuted The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC in 2008 to instant record-breaking ratings.
In 2022 she stepped back to a weekly Monday format to focus on podcasts and films, but returned to five nights a week from January to May 2025 to cover the opening months of Donald Trump’s second presidency before resuming her Monday-only schedule.
Net Worth and Salary in 2025
Rachel Maddow’s 2025 net worth is estimated at $50 million. Her current five-year MSNBC contract pays $25 million per year (down from a previous $30 million after 2024 network restructuring). Additional millions come from bestselling books, Grammy-winning audiobooks, and hit podcasts like Bag Man and Ultra.
Partner Susan Mikula: 26 Years and Counting
Rachel and photographer Susan Mikula met in 1999 when Susan hired Rachel—then moonlighting as a landscaper—to do yard work. Their first date was ironically “Ladies Day at the Range” sponsored by the NRA, a story they still laugh about.
They survived a terrifying scare in 2020 when Susan fell gravely ill with COVID-19; Rachel quarantined separately and delivered one of the most emotional monologues in cable-news history. After more than a quarter-century together, they remain each other’s biggest supporter and are not legally married by choice.
Lasting Legacy and Major Awards
Maddow has won multiple Emmys, a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album (Blowout, 2021), and the prestigious Hillman Prize for her podcast Ultra. Her signature storytelling—connecting forgotten history to today’s headlines—has redefined political journalism for the streaming age.
Rachel Maddow Full Biography Table – 2025 Update
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rachel Anne Maddow |
| Date of Birth | April 1, 1973 |
| Age (November 2025) | 52 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | ≈ 145–150 lbs (65–68 kg) |
| Partner | Susan Mikula (together since 1999) |
| Married Status | Not legally married |
| Education | BA Stanford University ⋅ D.Phil. Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar) |
| Net Worth 2025 | $50 million |
| Annual Salary 2025 | $25 million |
| Primary Show | The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC – Mondays, plus special periods) |
| Notable Books | Drift ⋅ Blowout ⋅ Prequel ⋅ Bag Man |
| Podcasts | Bag Man ⋅ Ultra ⋅ Rachel Maddow Presents ⋅ Deja News |
| Major Awards | Multiple Emmys ⋅ Grammy 2021 ⋅ Hillman Prize |
| Residences | Manhattan, NY & Western Massachusetts |
| Sexual Orientation | Openly lesbian since age 17 |
For the continuously updated encyclopedia entry, visit her Wikipedia page.@maddow
