Natalie Morales Biography
Natalie Morales is an accomplished American broadcast journalist, television host, and correspondent best known for her work with NBC News, CBS News, Today, Access Hollywood, and The Talk. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Morales has established herself as one of the most respected and versatile personalities in television journalism, covering major national and international events while also excelling in entertainment and lifestyle programming.
Known for her professionalism, multilingual abilities, and engaging on-screen presence, Morales has become a familiar face to millions of viewers across the United States.
Early Life and Education
Natalie Leticia Morales was born on June 6, 1972, in Taipei. She is the daughter of Mario Morales Jr., a Puerto Rican U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Penelope Morales, who is Brazilian. Due to her father’s military career, Morales spent much of her childhood living in various countries, including Brazil, Panama, Spain, and the United States. This international upbringing helped her become fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese.
She graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in Delaware in 1990 before enrolling at Rutgers University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors in Journalism & Media Studies and Latin American Studies, graduating summa cum laude and earning membership in Phi Beta Kappa.
Morales Natalie Age
As of 2026, Natalie Morales is 54 years old. She celebrated her 54th birthday on June 6, 2026.
Morales Natalie Career
After graduating from Rutgers University, Morales briefly worked at Chase Bank before pursuing her passion for journalism. She began her television career at News 12 The Bronx, where she worked not only as an anchor but also as a producer, editor, and camera operator, gaining valuable experience in every aspect of television news production.
She later joined WVIT-TV in Hartford, Connecticut, where she covered several major news stories, including the Columbine High School shooting, Hurricane Floyd, the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election, and the September 11 terrorist attacks.
MSNBC and NBC News
In 2002, Morales joined MSNBC as an anchor and correspondent. During her four years at the network, she covered significant national and international stories, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, and the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election.
Her success at MSNBC led to a major career breakthrough in 2006 when she joined NBC’s Today show as a national correspondent. In 2008, she became co-anchor of the program’s third hour, and in 2011 she was promoted to news anchor of Today.
Access Hollywood and West Coast Anchor
In 2016, Morales relocated to Los Angeles and became the West Coast anchor for Today. At the same time, she took over as host of Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live. She continued to contribute to NBC News programming, including Dateline NBC and NBC Nightly News.
CBS News and The Talk
After spending 22 years with NBC News, Morales joined CBS in 2021 as a permanent co-host and moderator of the daytime talk show The Talk. In 2022, she also became a correspondent for CBS News, contributing reports to the acclaimed true-crime news magazine 48 Hours.
Today, she remains an important figure within CBS News, reporting on major stories and special investigations.
Morales Natalie Husband
Natalie Morales is married to Joseph Rhodes.
The couple married on August 22, 1998, and have maintained a strong marriage throughout Morales’s demanding television career. They have lived in New Jersey and California during different stages of her professional journey.
Morales Natalie Children
Natalie Morales and her husband, Joseph Rhodes, have two sons:
- Josh Rhodes
- Luke Rhodes
Their first son was born in 2003, while their second son was born in 2008. Morales frequently speaks about balancing family life with the demands of a national television career.
Morales Natalie Family
Morales comes from a multicultural family background.
Father
Mario Morales Jr.
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel
Puerto Rican heritage
Mother
Penelope Morales
Brazilian heritage
Her diverse cultural upbringing and exposure to multiple languages and countries have significantly influenced her worldview and journalism career.
Morales Natalie Height
Natalie Morales stands approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall.
Morales Natalie Net Worth
As of 2026, Natalie Morales’s estimated net worth is generally reported to be between $16 million and $18 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through her long and successful career in broadcast journalism, television hosting, special correspondences, endorsements, and media appearances.
Morales Natalie Salary
While CBS has not publicly disclosed her current compensation, various industry estimates place Morales’s annual earnings in the multi-million-dollar range. During her years as a leading NBC personality, reports estimated her salary at approximately $6 million annually, making her one of the highest-paid female television journalists in the United States.
Personal Interests
Outside journalism, Morales is an avid athlete and fitness enthusiast. She has completed multiple marathons, including several editions of the prestigious New York City Marathon, and regularly participates in triathlons. Her dedication to fitness has been featured in national publications and sports magazines.
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