Jesse Watters and a closer look at the journey shaping his financial and career story

Jesse Watters and a closer look at the journey shaping his financial and career story

Jesse Bailey Watters is an American conservative political commentator and television host on Fox News. He first gained attention on The O’Reilly Factor. In 2017, he became a co-host of the roundtable series The Five. He now hosts Jesse Watters Primetime. Below is a look at his financial and career journey.

Jesse Watters in a blue suit and in a sky blue shirt
Jesse Watters at the Fox News Channel Studios (L). The commentator at the Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria (R). Photo: Roy Rochlin via Getty Images (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • Jesse Watters is a prominent conservative commentator and host on Fox News, currently leading Jesse Watters Primetime.
  • He has built a successful career through shows like The O’Reilly Factor and The Five.
  • Watters has four children and keeps his family life private while balancing his high-profile career.
  • His financial success reflects his media influence, television ventures, and long-term career growth.

Jesse Watters’ profile summary

Full name

Jesse Bailey Watters

Nickname

Jesse

Gender

Male

Date of birth

9 July 1978

Age

46 years (2025)

Zodiac sign

Cancer

Birthplace

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Nationality

American

Ethnicity

Mixed

Religion

Christianity

Alma mater

Trinity College

Height

6’1’’ (185 centimetres)

Weight

165 lbs (75 kg)

Hair colour

Black

Eye colour

Dark brown

Sexuality

Straight

Marital status

Married

Wife

Emma DiGiovine

Children

4

Parents

Stephen Hapgood and Anne Purvis

Profession

Political commentator, author

Political party

Conservative

Years active

2004-present

Net worth

$10 million

Social media

Instagram X (Twitter) Facebook

Read also

Is Cal Raleigh married? Mariners star's relationship status with Hannah Shimek

Jesse Watters' bio

Jesse Watters is an American political commentator, television personality, and journalist. He is best known for his work on national television, providing commentary on political and cultural issues.

Watters has built a career as a host and contributor. He combines investigative reporting with opinion-based segments. He is a prominent figure in the media for his outspoken style.

How old is Jesse Watters?

The television host is 46 years old as of 2025. He was born on 9 July 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

What is Jesse Watters' parents' nationality?

Jesse Watters was born to American parents. His mother, Anne Purvis, is a child psychologist. His father, Stephen Hapgood, is a teacher. Watters also has some Irish ancestry on his father’s side.

Jesse Watters’ facts
Jesse Watters at the Fox News Channel Studios in New York City, USA. Photo: John Lamparski (modified by author)
Source: Original

Regarding his education, Jesse attended William Penn Charter School through his junior year before his family relocated to Long Island, New York. He then enrolled at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he graduated with a B.A. in History in 2001.

Read also

What is Jay Mohr's net worth? How the comedian built his fortune

What is Jesse Watters’ net worth in 2025?

According to various sources, Jesse Watters has an alleged net worth of $10 million. He has amassed this wealth from his successful career as a Fox News television personality and political commentator.

In addition, Jesse has also been involved in various business ventures, including real estate investments.

How does Jesse Watters make his money?

Here are some of his revenue-generating channels that contribute significantly to his net worth.

Media industry

After graduating from university, Jesse worked as a production assistant at Fox News. In 2003, he became part of The O’Reilly Factor production team.

The following year, he was promoted to appear on air in segments of the show. A decade later, on 11 June 2014, Watters debuted as a guest co-host on the Fox News show Outnumbered.

Jesse Watters attending the Fox News 4th annual all-American Christmas Tree lighting
Television personality Jesse Watters at the Fox News 4th annual all-American Christmas Tree lighting. Photo: Roy Rochlin (modified by author)
Source: UGC

On 20 November 2015, he began hosting his own monthly program, Watters’ World. While the host has been described as an ambush journalist, he has defended himself by saying:

Read also

Sean Hannity's education and career: from NYU dropout to Fox News host

I try to make it enjoyable for the person I'm interviewing. We always come away from the interview all smiles, for the most part. And it is always fun to come back and look at the footage and say, 'Oh my gosh, what just happened?’

In January 2017, Watters’ World started airing weekly on Saturdays. The television personality became a co-host of the roundtable series The Five in April 2017.

On 24 January 2022, he began hosting the talk show Jesse Watters Primetime. Even though Jesse continued to be a co-host of The Five, Watters’ World ended on 15 January 2022.

In 2023, Fox News announced him as the permanent host of the network's 8 p.m. EST hour following the termination of Tucker Carlson’s contract.

Writing career

In April 2021, Anglo-American publishing company HarperCollins announced the publication of Jesse’s first book, How I Saved the World. Published on July 6, the book debuted at number one on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list for the week ending July 10, 2021.

He followed this with a second book, Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe, which was published in March 2024.

Read also

Theo Von's education: He graduated in Urban Planning after attending 7 colleges

What is Jesse Watters’ salary?

Watters reportedly bags $5 million annually from his work at Fox News. This is a testament to his sharp commentary and ability to connect with the audience.

How big is Jesse Watters' house?

Jesse Watters and his wife, Emma, live in a large mansion in New Jersey. The home has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, spanning 10,296 square feet. It sits on 5.64 acres of landscaped grounds.

Jesse Watters during the Jesse Watters Primetime show
Jesse Watters at the Fox News Channel Studios. Photo: Roy Rochlin (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Porches wrap around both floors, and the interior features high-end finishes throughout.

Does Jesse Watters own a yacht?

The political commentator allegedly owns two yachts. However, there has yet to be an official confirmation to substantiate this claim.

Jesse Watters' wife and children

Jesse Watters is married to Emma DiGiovine, a television producer. The couple has maintained a mostly private relationship, rarely appearing together in public. They first met through mutual professional connections and quickly developed a bond. Emma is known for her work behind the scenes, supporting productions and contributing to the media industry.

Read also

Rick Hoffman's net worth: How does Louis Litt rank among Suits stars?

How much older is Jesse Watters than his wife Emma?

Jesse Watters is about 11 years older than Emma.

Who is Jesse Watters' first wife?

Watters’ first wife was Noelle Inguagiato, a former Fox News stylist and TV host. Noelle is also famous for hosting the fashion web series iMag Style.

What happened with Jesse Watters' first wife?

Jesse Watters married Noelle Inguagiato in 2009. They had twin daughters together. Their marriage ended after Watters admitted to an affair with producer Emma DiGiovine. Inguagiato filed for divorce in 2018, and it was finalized in March 2019. The split made way for Watters’ later marriage to DiGiovine.

Who are Jesse Watters' children?

Jesse Watters has four children. He has twin daughters from his first marriage and two younger children with his current family. Jesse and Emma's son was born in 2021, and their daughter followed in 2023. Watters keeps his family life private and focuses on raising his children while balancing his career.

Read also

Is Madison Alworth of Indian descent? 11 facts about her nationality, age and life story

Where is Jesse Watters today?

Jesse currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, Emma DiGiovine, a former producer. The couple has two children. Watters continues to work in media as a television host, commentator, and author.

Jesse Watters during Fox News' The Five show
Jesse Watters during Fox News' The Five at the network's studios in New York City, USA. Photo: John Lamparski (modified by author)
Source: UGC

What is Jesse Watters' illness?

Jesse Watters does not have a current serious illness. He suffered a back injury in 2022. This required hospital care and time off work. He used a walker and a cane during recovery. Reports say he had back surgery to fix the problem. Since then, he has returned to work and is not known to have any ongoing serious illness.

Why did Jesse Watters get rid of his dog?

Watters got rid of his dog because the pet did not get along with his family’s lifestyle. Reports say the dog was aggressive and caused issues at home. Watters decided it was best for the dog to be rehomed to ensure safety and harmony in the household.

Read also

Ken Jeong's net worth: inside the doctor-turned-actor's $14M fortune

Jesse Watters has built a successful career in television and media. His wealth reflects years of hard work and influence. Beyond finances, he has grown as a commentator, host, and public figure. Watters balances his career with family life and maintains a private, disciplined approach to both work and personal pursuits.

Briefly.co.za published an article about Byron Allen, an American comedian, television producer, and media mogul. He began his career as a stand-up comedian, performing on television shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Byron Allen Show.

Byron Allen's net worth accumulated when he founded Entertainment Studios, a media company that produces and distributes TV shows. Some notable programs produced by Entertainment Studios include Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen, America's Court with Judge Ross, and Funny You Should Ask.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Ruth Gitonga avatar

Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.

Sharon Boit avatar

Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a creative writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience. She began her career as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. Sharon has written articles and blog posts for MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, and Industry Biz. She joined Briefly.co.za as a Lifestyle Writer in October 2024, covering entertainment, sports, education, and finance. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.

Tags:
USA