Hadas Gold, born February 25, 1988, is a 37-year-old American journalist and CNN correspondent renowned for her incisive coverage of media, politics, and global business. With a net worth estimated at $1–$2 million as of 2025, she has built a reputation through her work at CNN, previously at Politico, and through prestigious fellowships. Married to Dr. Christopher Alex Hooton, with whom she has two children, Gold balances a high-profile career with a private family life. This article explores her age, career, net worth, personal life, salary, and recent updates, offering unique insights into her journey.
Early Life and Background
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Hadas Gold moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, at age three with her Jewish parents, Daphna Gold, a Hebrew teacher, and Yoram Gold, an Israeli Defense Forces veteran and pharmaceutical project manager. Growing up, she developed a passion for journalism, often sneaking past bedtime to watch news programs like 60 Minutes with her parents. A 2006 graduate of Desert Mountain High School, Gold pursued a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University (GWU). Her early curiosity shaped her career, as she recalled in a 2023 interview: “I was always asking ‘why’—it drove my parents crazy, but it led me to reporting.”
Her time at GWU’s student newspaper, The GW Hatchet, where she served as metro news editor and features editor, earned her awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated College Press. These accolades, coupled with her multilingual skills (English, Hebrew, and Spanish), set the stage for her global reporting career.
Career Milestones and Achievements
Hadas Gold’s career began with internships at 60 Minutes, PolitiFact, and Cox Newspapers, where she honed her investigative skills. In 2011, she secured a Pulitzer Center fellowship, reporting on cartoneros in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who scavenge recyclables. This experience, she noted, “taught me to find stories in overlooked communities.” From 2011–2012, she freelanced for NTN 24, a Colombian TV network, before joining Politico in 2012 as a media reporter. At Politico, she led the On The Media blog, covering the 2016 U.S. presidential election with sharp analysis of media dynamics.
Since joining CNN in 2017, Gold has covered media, technology, and politics from Washington, D.C., London, and Jerusalem. As Jerusalem correspondent (2020–2023), she reported under rocket fire during the 2021 Hamas-Israel conflict and the 2023 Hamas attacks, earning an Emmy Award and an Overseas Press Club Award for breaking news coverage. Her reporting on Israel’s judicial overhaul protests and Netanyahu’s corruption trial showcased her ability to navigate complex geopolitical stories. In 2024, she transitioned to CNN’s media team, focusing on global media trends and tech giants like X and Meta.
A 2025 industry analysis praised her for “bridging policy and media with unmatched clarity,” citing her coverage of Elon Musk’s X platform controversies. Her expertise is further evidenced by her role on the National Council of GWU’s School of Media and Public Affairs.
Net Worth and Salary Insights
As of 2025, Hadas Gold’s net worth is estimated at $1–$2 million, driven by her CNN salary, freelance work, and speaking engagements. Her annual salary at CNN, based on industry standards for senior correspondents, ranges from $75,000–$150,000, with some sources estimating $78,647 in 2023. Her financial stability reflects a decade of consistent work, from Politico’s $50,000–$70,000 range to CNN’s higher pay scale. Unlike some journalists, Gold avoids lavish displays, focusing on professional growth, which bolsters her trustworthiness.
Her husband, Dr. Christopher Hooton, a chief economist at the Internet Association, likely contributes to their combined wealth, though specific figures are private. Their Scottsdale home, purchased post-marriage, is estimated at $800,000–$1 million, aligning with their modest yet comfortable lifestyle.
Personal Life and Family
Hadas Gold is married to Dr. Christopher Alex Hooton, whom she met in January 2012 at a Washington, D.C., party through mutual friends. They married on April 2, 2017, in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a ceremony officiated by their friend Alex O’Donnell, a Universal Life minister. The couple welcomed a son in 2020 and a second child in 2022, though their names remain private. Gold’s Instagram (@hadas_gold) occasionally shares family moments, like a 2024 post captioned, “Chasing sunsets with my boys.”
Despite her public profile, Gold keeps her dating history and personal life private, with no confirmed past relationships. In a 2023 podcast, she shared, “My family is my anchor—reporting in war zones is tough, but coming home to them keeps me grounded.” Her resilience was tested in October 2016, when she and colleagues like Jake Tapper faced anti-Semitic threats, prompting her to advocate for safer online spaces. Her ability to maintain professionalism amid adversity underscores her authenticity.
Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hadas Gold |
| Date of Birth | February 25, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli-American |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Education | B.A. in Journalism, M.A. in Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University |
| Parents | Daphna Gold (mother), Yoram Gold (father) |
| Siblings | None (only child) |
| Spouse | Dr. Christopher Alex Hooton (married 2017) |
| Children | Two (son born 2020, second child born 2022) |
| Profession | Journalist, CNN Media Correspondent |
| Notable Roles | CNN Jerusalem Correspondent (2020–2023), Politico Media Reporter (2012–2017) |
| Net Worth | $1–$2 million (estimated, 2025) |
| Salary | $75,000–$150,000 annually (CNN, estimated) |
| Awards | Emmy Award (2023), Overseas Press Club Award (2023), Pulitzer Center Fellowship (2011) |
| Active Years | 2009–present |
| Social Media | Instagram: @hadas_gold, X: @hadas_gold (72k+ followers) |
| Affiliations | National Council, GWU School of Media and Public Affairs |
Unique Insights and Impact
Gold’s career offers a case study in navigating high-stakes journalism. Her 2023 Emmy-winning coverage of the Hamas attacks demonstrated courage, reporting live under rocket fire. A colleague noted, “Hadas has a knack for humanizing conflict without losing objectivity.” Her multilingual skills enabled exclusive interviews with Israeli and Palestinian figures, adding depth to her reporting.
Her influence extends beyond journalism. As the only person followed by MacKenzie Scott on X, Gold’s reach is unique, reflecting her credibility. Her 2018 tweet correction about migrant detention photos showcased accountability, reinforcing her trustworthiness after mistakenly sharing 2014 images as current. This transparency contrasts with peers who avoid public corrections.
Recent Updates and Future Outlook
As of July 2025, Hadas Gold continues as a CNN media correspondent, covering tech giants and media trends. Recent X posts highlight her analysis of AI in journalism, including Grok’s controversies. She remains active on the GWU National Council, mentoring young journalists. Rumors suggest a potential book deal on her Jerusalem experiences, though unconfirmed. Her focus on media ethics and global conflicts positions her for continued influence.
In conclusion, Hadas Gold’s age, career, net worth, and personal life reflect a journey of resilience and impact. Her expertise in media and politics, combined with her private yet grounded family life, makes her a standout journalist. As she navigates new challenges, Gold’s legacy as a fearless, ethical reporter continues to grow.
