Joy Reid is a renowned American journalist, television host, political commentator, and author, best known for her work on MSNBC. Born on December 8, 1968, she is currently 56 years old. With a career spanning decades in political analysis and journalism, she has made a significant mark in the media industry. As of 2025, Joy Reid’s estimated net worth stands at $4 million, a testament to her successful career and numerous contributions to media and literature.
What is Joy Reid’s Background and Early Life?
Joy-Ann M. Lomena Reid was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a politically diverse family. Her father, an engineer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and her mother, a nutritionist and college professor from British Columbia, had contrasting political views. Her mother was an active Democrat, while her father, although a Republican, was not a U.S. citizen and thus could not vote. Reid grew up in Denver, Colorado, alongside her siblings, Oren Lomena and June Carryl. Following her parents’ divorce, her father returned to the Congo, and after her mother’s passing due to breast cancer, she moved back to Brooklyn to live with her aunt.
What is Joy Reid’s Educational Background?
After completing high school, Joy Reid enrolled at Harvard University, where she studied film and graduated in 1991. Adjusting to college life was a challenge for her, as she had to support herself financially. However, her resilience and determination allowed her to successfully complete her studies, paving the way for her career in media and journalism.
How Did Joy Reid Begin Her Career in Journalism?
Reid started her journalism career in 1997 when she left a business consulting firm in New York to work as a morning show host at WSVN, a television station in South Florida. She temporarily left journalism in 2003 due to her opposition to the Iraq War and began working with America Coming Together, a political action group that campaigned against President George W. Bush. Later, she transitioned back into media, working as a talk radio host and actively participating in Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
Her early career also included co-hosting the WTPS morning radio show, Wake Up South Florida, from 2006 to 2007. She wrote a political column for The Miami Herald and managed The Grio, an online news platform, between 2011 and 2014. During this period, she also ran her political blog, The Reid Report, which later became an MSNBC show from 2014 to 2015.
What are Joy Reid’s Notable Roles at MSNBC?
After The Reid Report was canceled in 2015, MSNBC retained Reid as a national correspondent. In 2016, she began hosting AM Joy, a weekend morning talk show that attracted over a million weekly viewers. She also frequently filled in for prominent MSNBC hosts such as Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes.
In 2020, Reid made history as the first Black female primetime cable news anchor when she launched The ReidOut. This show, which aired weeknights, replaced Hardball with Chris Matthews, further solidifying her position as a leading voice in political commentary. However, The ReidOut was canceled in February 2025, marking the end of an era for her primetime presence at MSNBC.
What Books Has Joy Reid Written?
Apart from her television career, Joy Reid is a published author. Her books include:
- Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons, and the Racial Divide (2014)
- We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama (2017, co-edited)
- The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story (2019)
These works highlight her deep understanding of American politics and racial issues, establishing her as a respected political analyst and commentator.
What Controversies Has Joy Reid Faced?
In 2017 and 2018, past blog posts from The Reid Report surfaced, containing homophobic statements. Although she initially denied writing them, later claiming her blog had been hacked, she ultimately issued an apology, admitting the comments were “insensitive and dumb.” The backlash led to PFLAG rescinding an award they had planned to give her, and The Daily Beast suspended her column.
Later in 2018, additional blog posts led to criticism from the Zionist Organization of America, which called for her termination from MSNBC due to alleged anti-Semitic remarks. Reid responded by apologizing, acknowledging that she had grown as a person since those writings.
What is Joy Reid’s Personal Life Like?
Joy Reid has been married to Jason Reid since February 27, 1997. Jason is a documentary film editor and co-founder of the ImegeLab Media Group. Together, they have three children: two sons, Nasir and Jmar, and a daughter, Winsome. Despite her demanding career, Reid has maintained a strong family life, balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and media personality.
What Awards and Recognitions Has Joy Reid Received?
Reid has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, including:
- Knight Center for Specialized Journalism Fellow (2003)
- Carol Jenkins Visible and Powerful Media Award (2016)
- NABJ Salute to Excellence Award nominations (2018)
- NAACP Image Award nominations for AM Joy (2017) and The ReidOut (2021, 2022)
Her contributions to journalism and political analysis continue to earn her accolades and respect in the media industry.
What is Joy Reid’s Legacy in Journalism?
Joy Reid’s career has been defined by her insightful political analysis, fearless commentary, and trailblazing role as a Black female journalist in primetime television. Despite facing controversies, she has remained a prominent voice in American media. With a career spanning over two decades, her impact on political discourse, journalism, and racial conversations remains significant.
As she moves forward, whether in media, writing, or new ventures, Joy Reid’s influence in the landscape of political journalism is undeniable.
