Rachel Maddow
Born 1973 · Age 52
American television host, political commentator, radio host, podcast creator and bestselling author; host of The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC); Rhodes Scholar with a DPhil from Oxford; first openly lesbian anchor to host a major U.S. prime-time news program.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Rachel Maddow and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Father resigns Air Force commission (family milestone)
Her father, Robert B. Maddow, resigned his Air Force commission the year before Rachel's birth and later worked as a lawyer for East Bay Municipal Utility District.
Born in Castro Valley, California
Rachel Anne Maddow is born in Castro Valley, California to Robert B. Maddow (former USAF captain, later lawyer) and Elaine (school program administrator).
Came out as lesbian while at Stanford (outed by college paper)
As a Stanford freshman, Maddow was publicly outed as a lesbian by the college newspaper; she had intended to tell her parents herself.
BA: Stanford University, Public Policy
Graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy; awarded the John Gardner Fellowship at graduation.
John Gardner Fellowship awarded
Received the John Gardner Fellowship providing stipend, mentorship and placement in public service post-graduation.
Wins Rhodes Scholarship; declines Marshall Scholarship
Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and began postgraduate study at Lincoln College, Oxford; had been awarded a Marshall Scholarship the same year but turned it down in favor of the Rhodes.
Begins DPhil at University of Oxford (Lincoln College)
Starts doctoral study at Lincoln College, University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, focusing on politics and HIV/AIDS in prisons.
First radio job: WRNX Holyoke, MA
Won an open contest to be the second lead on 'The Dave in the Morning Show' at WRNX (100.9 FM) in Holyoke, Massachusetts — her first on-air radio hosting job.
Meets partner Susan Mikula
Began relationship with artist Susan Mikula; they met while Maddow was finishing her doctoral dissertation (1999) and remain partners.
Host: Big Breakfast on WRSI (Northampton, MA)
After WRNX, Maddow hosted the morning show 'Big Breakfast' on WRSI in Northampton for two years before leaving in 2004.
Earned DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy) in Politics from Oxford
Completed her doctoral thesis titled 'HIV/AIDS and Health Care Reform in British and American Prisons', supervised by Lucia Zedner.
Work as AIDS/prison advocate and odd jobs in Massachusetts
Returned to the U.S. before finishing DPhil to complete dissertation, resumed prison AIDS advocacy and took various odd jobs while finishing academic work.
Joins Air America Radio at network launch
Left WRSI in 2004 to join the newly founded liberal radio network Air America; initially worked as a news reader and co-host.
Co-host: Unfiltered on Air America
Co-hosted 'Unfiltered' with Chuck D and Lizz Winstead until the program's cancellation in March 2005.
Unfiltered canceled (Air America)
Air America's program 'Unfiltered' was cancelled in March 2005; two weeks later, Maddow launched her self-titled radio show.
Launches 'The Rachel Maddow Show' on radio (Air America)
Began her weekday two-hour syndicated radio program 'The Rachel Maddow Show' on Air America in April 2005.
Becomes regular panelist on MSNBC's Tucker
Became a regular panelist on the MSNBC show 'Tucker' (hosted by Tucker Carlson), marking increased TV visibility.
Guest on CNN's Paula Zahn Now
Appeared as a guest on CNN's 'Paula Zahn Now' during and after the November 2006 election cycle.
Becomes the first openly lesbian host of a US prime-time news program
With her MSNBC prime-time show, Maddow became the first openly gay or lesbian anchor to host a major U.S. prime-time news program.
Named MSNBC political analyst (exclusive contract)
Signed as an MSNBC political analyst and became a regular panelist on election coverage and contributor on other MSNBC shows.
First time guest-hosted 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann'
Substituted for Keith Olbermann on 'Countdown', her first time hosting an MSNBC program; received strong reviews and was invited back multiple times.
MSNBC announces 'The Rachel Maddow Show' prime-time slot
MSNBC announced in August that 'The Rachel Maddow Show' would replace 'Verdict with Dan Abrams' at 9:00 p.m. beginning the following month.
Debut of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC (prime time)
The Rachel Maddow Show premiered on MSNBC (widely reported debut date Sept 8, 2008), quickly doubling the audience for that hour and becoming MSNBC's most successful launch.
Gracie Award (2009) and various 'Out' recognitions
Won a Gracie Award presented by the American Women in Radio and Television; named in Out magazine's 'Out 100' and AfterEllen visibility lists around 2008–2009.
Radio show gains third hour; later reduced when TV show begins
In March 2008 the radio show briefly gained a third hour; by 2008-2009, when Maddow's nightly TV show began, the radio show returned to two hours and later to a one-hour 5 a.m. slot in early 2009.
Proclamation of Honor from California State Senate
Received a Proclamation of Honor from the California State Senate presented by Senator Mark Leno in San Francisco.
Air America Radio ceases operations; her radio show ends
Air America ceased operations and Maddow's syndicated radio program ended on January 21, 2010.
Commencement speaker and honorary LL.D. at Smith College
Served as the 2010 commencement speaker at Smith College (Northampton, Massachusetts) and received an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree.
Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award
Received the Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award from the Interfaith Alliance (August 2010) for coverage of religion and politics.
Emmy Award (Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis)
Won a News & Documentary Emmy in 2011 for The Rachel Maddow Show segments 'Good Morning Landlocked Central Asia!'.
Conversation and speaking engagement at Yale Law School
Spoke at Yale Law School (event listed March 28, 2011) — public Q&A and campus appearance.
Named Outstanding Host at Gracie Allen Awards
Named Outstanding Host at the 2012 Gracie Allen Awards, recognizing her achievements in broadcast media.
Publishes 'Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power'
Released her first book 'Drift' (2012), which reached No. 1 on The New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list.
John Steinbeck Award (presented)
Presented the John Steinbeck Award by the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University (February 2012).
Interview with Tracey Ullman; Ullman portrays Maddow
Tracey Ullman played Maddow in her Showtime comedy series; Maddow invited Ullman onto her show and interviewed her in January 2010 (appearance and crossover publicity).
Cameo appearance on The Simpsons
Appeared as a character in The Simpsons episode 'Four Regrettings and a Funeral' (air date Nov 3, 2013).
Announced monthly Washington Post opinion column
The Washington Post announced in December 2013 that Maddow would write a monthly opinion column for a six-month period.
Multiple Emmy Awards (2017)
Won two Emmy Awards in 2017: Outstanding Live Interview for 'One-on-One with Kellyanne Conway' and Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis for 'An American Disaster: The Crisis in Flint'.
MSNBC and The Rachel Maddow Show peak ratings week
For the week of May 15, 2017, MSNBC surpassed CNN and Fox News in weekly primetime ratings; The Rachel Maddow Show was No. 1 non-sports cable program that week.
Published first New York Times crossword puzzle
Co-created and published her first NYT crossword (in collaboration with Joe DiPietro) on March 2, 2018.
Launches 'Bag Man' podcast (MSNBC production)
Launched the investigative podcast 'Bag Man' (Oct 2018), focusing on the 1973 scandal and resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew.
On-air statement describing OAN as 'paid Russian propaganda'
During a broadcast, Maddow repeated a Daily Beast story and described One America News Network (OAN) as 'paid Russian propaganda' — a remark that triggered a $10 million defamation suit.
OAN files $10M defamation suit against Maddow
One America News Network (Herring Networks) filed suit in U.S. District Court (S.D. California) seeking $10 million in damages.
Publishes 'Blowout'
Published her second book, 'Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth' (October 2019).
Lawsuit dismissal in favor of Maddow (trial court)
On May 22, 2020, Judge Cynthia Bashant dismissed the OAN defamation case, finding Maddow's statement was opinion protected by the First Amendment.
Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for 'Bagman' (2020)
Awarded the prestigious duPont–Columbia Award for her 'Bagman' podcast (2020), recognizing excellence in broadcast and digital journalism.
Publishes 'Bag Man' book (with Michael Yarvitz)
Published 'Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House' (December 2020), co-written with Michael Yarvitz, based on her podcast.
OAN appeal denied; Ninth Circuit affirms dismissal (Aug 2021)
In August 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal in favor of Maddow and required Herring to pay Maddow's attorneys' fees; media reported at least $250,000 awarded toward fees.
Publicly encouraged COVID-19 vaccination
Was an outspoken advocate for COVID-19 vaccination during 2021, using her platform to encourage vaccination uptake.
Undergoes surgery to remove cancerous skin growth
In 2021, Maddow had surgery to remove a cancerous skin growth from her neck (reported publicly).
Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (Blowout audiobook)
Won the 2021 Grammy Award (63rd Annual Grammys) for Best Spoken Word Album for the audiobook version of 'Blowout' recorded by Maddow.
Hiatus from MSNBC show to work on 'Bag Man' film adaptation
Took a hiatus from her show from February to April 2022 to coincide with production on the film adaptation of 'Bag Man' (Ben Stiller attached to direct; Maddow executive producer).
The Rachel Maddow Show moves to weekly format
As of May 2022, her MSNBC show moved from nightly to a weekly broadcast (Mondays) as part of scheduling changes.
Launches 'Ultra' podcast (MSNBC/NBCUniversal deal)
Launched the podcast 'Ultra' in October 2022, chronicling U.S. right-wing extremism during the 1940s and WWII era; a first project under NBCUniversal-MSNBC deal.
Spielberg's Amblin options film rights to 'Ultra' (Dec 2022)
Steven Spielberg's production company optioned film rights to the 'Ultra' podcast in December 2022; Tony Kushner and Danny Strong were reported in talks to adapt.
Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism (2023) for 'Ultra'
Received the 2023 Hillman Prize for Broadcast Journalism for her podcast 'Ultra' — the first time the prize was awarded to a podcast.
Cameo in film 'Red, White & Royal Blue' (2023)
Made a cameo appearance as herself in the 2023 romance film 'Red, White & Royal Blue.'
Publishes 'Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism'
Published her fourth book 'Prequel' on October 17, 2023 — a book based on her 'Ultra' podcast.
Named one of America's 10 best TV news journalists by GALECA
In late 2024, Maddow was named one of America's 10 best TV news journalists by GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.
Listed in Britannica profile and continued public prominence
Profiled and updated in encyclopedias (e.g., Britannica) reflecting ongoing work as MSNBC host, author, and podcaster.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Rachel Maddow and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Charlamagne tha God
Born 1978 · Age 47
Known professionally as Charlamagne tha God, American radio host, TV presenter, podcaster, and author; co-host of The Breakfast Club and founder of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
Negin Farsad
Born 1978 · Age 47
American comedian, actress, writer and filmmaker known for social-justice comedy, documentaries (Nerdcore Rising, The Muslims Are Coming!), the podcast Fake the Nation, and the book How to Make White People Laugh.
Rana el Kaliouby
Born 1978 · Age 47
Egyptian-American computer scientist, entrepreneur and AI leader, co‑founder of Affectiva, pioneer of Emotion AI, author and advocate for ethical AI.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Born 1978 · Age 47
Ukrainian politician and former entertainer; co‑founder of Kvartal 95; elected sixth President of Ukraine in 2019; wartime leader since Russia's 2022 full‑scale invasion.
Farhad Manjoo
Born 1978 · Age 47
American technology and opinion journalist; columnist for Slate, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times; author of True Enough; contributor to NPR.
Steve Chen
Born 1978 · Age 47
Taiwanese‑American software engineer and internet entrepreneur; co‑founder and former CTO of YouTube; co‑founder of AVOS Systems and MixBit; launched Nom.com; later joined Google Ventures and invested in Taiwanese startups.