Margaret Hoover Bio, Age, Husband, Family, PBS, Height, Salary, Net Worth
Margaret Hoover is an American political commentator, author, strategist and television host best known for hosting PBS’s Firing Line with Margaret Hoover. She has built a career spanning politics, media, writing and public affairs, including work in the White House, on Capitol Hill and in presidential campaigns. She is also the great-granddaughter of former U.S. President Herbert Hoover.
Her television career reached a new level in 2018 when she became the host of the revived Firing Line, the public-affairs program originally hosted by William F. Buckley Jr. The modern version focuses on long-form interviews and discussions involving people from across the political spectrum.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Available Information |
| Full Name | Margaret Claire Hoover |
| Date of Birth | December 11, 1977 |
| Age | 48 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Political commentator, author, strategist, journalist and television host |
| Education | Bryn Mawr College |
| Degree | B.A. in Spanish Literature, minor in Political Science |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Husband | John Avlon |
| Marriage | November 7, 2009 |
| Children | Two |
| Great-Grandfather | Herbert Hoover, 31st U.S. president |
| Best Known For | Firing Line with Margaret Hoover |
| PBS Role | Host |
| Book | American Individualism |
| Salary | Not publicly disclosed; online estimates commonly place it around $200,000–$400,000 annually |
| Net Worth | Approximately $5 million–$8 million |
Margaret Hoover Age and Early Life
Margaret Claire Hoover is 48 years old as of 2026. She was born on December 11, 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was raised in Colorado and comes from the Hoover family, one of the best-known political families in the United States. Margaret is the great-granddaughter of Herbert Hoover, who served as the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933.
Her parents are Andrew Hoover, a mining engineer, and Jean Williams Hoover, who worked as a flight attendant. Margaret grew up with her younger sister and attended Graland Country Day School in Denver. Although her family connection to Herbert Hoover has been an important part of her biography, her professional career has been built primarily around politics, media, writing and public affairs.
Margaret Hoover Education
Hoover attended Davidson College for two years before transferring to Bryn Mawr College. She graduated from Bryn Mawr in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and a minor in Political Science.
During her education, she developed interests in foreign languages and international affairs. She studied Spanish-language literature and also studied Mandarin Chinese. She later lived and worked in several countries, including China, Mexico, Bolivia and Taiwan. After college, Hoover moved to Taiwan, where she worked as a research assistant and editor at a Taiwanese law firm before continuing her career in American politics.
Margaret Hoover Political Career
Hoover began her political career in Washington, D.C., working in Republican politics. She eventually served in the White House under President George W. Bush and also worked at the Department of Homeland Security. Her political experience included work on Capitol Hill and involvement in two presidential campaigns.
Her early political experience gave her an understanding of government, public policy and political communications that later became central to her work as a commentator.
Margaret Hoover and the White House
One of the important stages of Hoover’s early career was her work in the George W. Bush administration. She worked at the White House and later at the Department of Homeland Security. These positions provided her with experience in federal government and public policy before she moved more fully into political media.
Margaret Hoover Media Career
After working in politics, Hoover developed a national profile as a political commentator. She became a contributor and commentator on television, including work with Fox News and later CNN. PBS currently identifies her as a CNN political commentator in its biography of her.
Her media career has involved discussions about American politics, elections, government, conservatism, civil rights and public policy. She has also written for publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, The Daily Beast, CNN.com and FoxNews.com.
Margaret Hoover and Firing Line
Margaret Hoover’s most prominent television role is as the host of Firing Line with Margaret Hoover on PBS. The program is a revival of William F. Buckley Jr.’s Firing Line, which originally ran for 33 years. Hoover’s version premiered nationally in 2018 and maintains the program’s emphasis on serious discussion and debate.
The program features interviews with political leaders, journalists, authors, academics, business leaders and other prominent figures. Hoover’s interviewing style focuses on extended conversations rather than short television sound bites. PBS describes the program as a civil and engaging contest of ideas involving voices from across the political spectrum.
Margaret Hoover on PBS in 2026
Hoover continues to host Firing Line in 2026. PBS recently aired “America at 250 – Pursuing a More Perfect Union,” a special hosted by Hoover that examined American institutions and the country’s 250th anniversary. She interviewed Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and retired General Stanley McChrystal for the program.
The regular Firing Line program also remains active, with PBS listing new episodes in July 2026, including interviews with Neil Gorsuch, Stanley McChrystal and Eva Moskowitz.
Margaret Hoover Book
Hoover is the author of American Individualism: How a New Generation of Conservatives Can Save the Republican Party, published by Crown Forum in 2011. The book examines conservative political ideas and argues for a form of conservatism centered on individual freedom, opportunity and limited government. Her writing career has complemented her work in television and political commentary.
Margaret Hoover Political Views
Hoover has a background in Republican politics but has also developed positions on issues that have sometimes distinguished her from parts of the conservative movement. She has been involved in efforts supporting LGBT rights and in 2013 co-founded the American Unity Fund, an organization focused on achieving freedom and equality for LGBT Americans through engagement with conservatives. Her political views have therefore not always fit neatly into conventional partisan categories.
Margaret Hoover Husband
Margaret Hoover is married to John Avlon, an American journalist, author and political commentator. The couple married on November 7, 2009. Avlon has worked as a journalist and political commentator and has been associated with CNN, Newsweek and The Daily Beast. Hoover and Avlon have maintained a relatively private family life despite both having high-profile careers in political media.
Margaret Hoover Children
Margaret and John Avlon have two children. Their son, John Andrew Hoover Avlon, was born in 2013, while their daughter, Toula Lou Hoover Avlon, was born in 2015. The family lives in New York City. Hoover generally keeps her children’s private lives away from extensive media coverage.
Margaret Hoover Family
Hoover’s most notable family connection is her relationship to Herbert Hoover. She is his great-granddaughter through her paternal family. Herbert Hoover served as U.S. president from 1929 to 1933 and was also a mining engineer and humanitarian before entering the White House. Her grandfather was Allan Hoover, Herbert Hoover’s son, while her father is Andrew Hoover.
Despite the historical significance of the Hoover name, Margaret Hoover has established her own career in politics and media.
Margaret Hoover Height
Hoover stands at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters).
Margaret Hoover Salary
Margaret earns approximately $200,000 to $400,000 per year from her PBS hosting role. However, these figures are estimates rather than confirmed PBS salary records. A speaking-industry listing currently places her speaking fee at approximately $30,000–$50,000 per engagement, although actual fees can vary by event and contract.
Margaret Hoover Net Worth
Margaret has an estimated net worth of between $5 million and $8 million. Her potential income sources include television, writing, speaking engagements, political consulting and media appearances.
Margaret Hoover Career Timeline
| Year | Career Highlight |
| 1977 | Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 2001 | Graduated from Bryn Mawr College |
| Early 2000s | Began political and government career |
| George W. Bush administration | Worked at the White House and Department of Homeland Security |
| 2011 | Published American Individualism |
| 2013 | Co-founded American Unity Fund |
| 2018 | Became host of Firing Line with Margaret Hoover |
| 2024 | Hosted PBS’s Counting the Vote special |
| 2026 | Hosted America at 250 – Pursuing a More Perfect Union |
| 2026 | Continues hosting Firing Line |
PBS and the Markle Foundation identify Hoover as having served on boards including the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, the Hoover Presidential Foundation and the Belgian American Educational Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Margaret Hoover?
Margaret Hoover was born on December 11, 1977, making her 48 years old in 2026.
Who is Margaret Hoover’s husband?
Her husband is John Avlon, a journalist, author and political commentator. They married in 2009.
Does Margaret Hoover have children?
Yes. She and John Avlon have two children, a son and a daughter.
Who is Margaret Hoover’s famous relative?
Margaret Hoover is the great-granddaughter of Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States.
What is Margaret Hoover famous for?
She is best known as the host of PBS’s Firing Line with Margaret Hoover.
Where did Margaret Hoover go to college?
She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2001 with a degree in Spanish Literature and a minor in Political Science.
How tall is Margaret Hoover?
She is listed at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters).
What is Margaret Hoover’s salary?
Her exact salary is not publicly confirmed. Online estimates generally place her PBS earnings at around $200,000–$400,000 per year.
What is Margaret Hoover’s net worth?
Margaret has an estimated net worth of between $5 million and $8 million.
