Net Worth Ranker
What Is Joy Reid’s Net Worth?
Joy Reid, a prominent American cable television host, correspondent, writer, and producer, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $4 million. This financial standing reflects her diverse career spanning journalism, television hosting, writing, and producing. Her journey began with early roles in television and transitioned into significant positions at MSNBC, solidifying her presence in the media landscape.
Sources of Joy Reid’s Net Worth
Reid’s net worth is primarily derived from her career in television, where she has held various roles, including political analyst, host, correspondent, writer, and producer. Her tenure at MSNBC has been particularly fruitful, with her hosting several shows such as “The Reid Report,” “AM Joy,” and “The ReidOut.” While “The Reid Report” was canceled, Reid transitioned into a national correspondent role, demonstrating her versatility and value to the network. The cancellation of “The ReidOut” in February 2025 marked the end of her primary show, but her overall contributions to the network have been substantial.
In addition to her hosting duties, Reid has also contributed as a writer and producer on eight episodes of “The ReidOut,” further diversifying her income streams. Her involvement as an executive producer on documentaries such as “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte hosts the Tonight Show” (2020) and “The Big Payback” (2023) showcases her broader engagement with media production, adding to her overall earnings.
Reid’s literary endeavors have also contributed to her net worth. She has authored “Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons, and the Racial Divide” (2014) and “The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story” (2019), and edited “We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama” (2017). The sales and royalties from these books provide an additional source of income, augmenting her earnings from television and production work. Although specific sales figures and royalties are not publicly available, these publications have undoubtedly played a role in building her net worth.
Reid’s appearances on numerous television shows, including “Martin Bashir,” “Now with Alex Wagner,” “Melissa Harris-Perry,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “Meet the Press,” “PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton,” “Deadline: White House,” and “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell,” further contribute to her income. While the exact compensation for each appearance is not public knowledge, such recurring roles add to her overall earnings and visibility in the media.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Joy-Ann M. Lomena on December 8, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York City, Joy Reid’s early life experiences shaped her trajectory toward a successful media career. Her mother, a West Indian nutritionist and college professor, and her father, an engineer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, instilled in her a strong sense of purpose and the importance of education. Reid grew up in a Methodist household and spent most of her youth in Denver, Colorado. The loss of her mother to breast cancer when she was 17 led her to return to Brooklyn to live with her aunt, marking a significant turning point in her life.
Reid’s academic pursuits culminated in a film degree from Harvard University in 1991, providing her with a foundation in visual storytelling and media production. After graduating, she initially worked at a New York business consulting firm, gaining experience in a corporate setting. However, her passion for journalism led her to transition into the media industry in 1997, when she took a job on a morning show at the South Florida television station WSVN. This marked the beginning of her career in broadcast journalism, setting the stage for her future roles at MSNBC and her rise to prominence in the media.
In 2003, Reid’s career path took a temporary detour when she left journalism due to her opposition to the Iraq War. As she told “The Hollywood Reporter,” she “was personally opposed to the Iraq War and wanted to do something other than the way the media was covering and rooting for it.” This decision led her to work with the political action group America Coming Together, which opposed President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. She later worked as a talk radio host and was involved with Barack Obama’s successful 2008 presidential campaign. From 2006 to 2007, Reid co-hosted the WTPS morning radio show “Wake Up South Florida” with “James T” Thomas. She also wrote a political column for the “Miami Herald” from 2003 to 2015 and served as the managing editor of the online news platform “The Grio” from 2011 to 2014. These experiences broadened her understanding of politics and media, preparing her for her subsequent roles at MSNBC.
From 2000 to 2014, Reid ran a political blog called “The Reid Report,” which served as a platform for her political commentary and analysis. In 2014, she began hosting an MSNBC show of the same name, marking her entry into national television hosting. Although the show was canceled, it led to a new role as a national correspondent for the network. In 2016, she began hosting “AM Joy” and filling in for other MSNBC hosts, such as Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes. These roles solidified her presence at MSNBC and paved the way for her to host “The ReidOut” in 2020, making her the first Black female primetime anchor on cable. Reid has also hosted the podcasts “Reid This-Reid That” and “What to Reid,” and she taught a “race, gender and media” course at the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, further expanding her influence and reach.
Key Milestones and Career Progression
Reid’s career is marked by several key milestones that have contributed to her net worth and prominence in the media industry. Her transition from local television to national correspondent at MSNBC was a pivotal moment, allowing her to reach a wider audience and tackle national political issues. The launch of “AM Joy” in 2016 provided her with a regular platform to showcase her political analysis and interviewing skills, further solidifying her position at MSNBC.
In 2017, Twitter recognized Reid’s influence by including her in a list of the most tweeted journalists from the “top tweeted news outlets,” highlighting her engagement with audiences on social media. This recognition reflects her ability to connect with viewers and followers, amplifying her voice in the media landscape.
The launch of “The ReidOut” in 2020 marked a significant milestone in Reid’s career, as she became the first Black female primetime anchor on cable. This achievement underscores her impact on the media industry and her role in breaking barriers. Although “The ReidOut” was canceled in February 2025, her contributions to MSNBC and her overall career trajectory have undoubtedly contributed to her net worth and legacy in the media.
Personal Life and Other Ventures
Joy Reid married Jason Reid on February 27, 1997, and they have three children together. Jason is a documentary film editor, indicating a shared interest in media and storytelling. While specific details about their shared financial ventures or investments are not publicly available, their shared involvement in the media industry suggests a degree of collaboration and mutual support.
In 2017 and 2018, Reid faced controversy over posts that were published on her former blog, “The Reid Report,” between 2007 and 2009. The posts were described as using “the trope of gay sex to mock politicians and journalists,” leading to an apology from Reid. When another batch of homophobic posts surfaced, Reid said that she didn’t remember writing those posts and asked her lawyers to investigate whether her blog or archives could’ve been hacked. The controversy resulted in PFLAG, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, rescinding an award it had planned to give Joy, and “The Daily Beast” suspended her column. In April 2018, blog posts surfaced that led to the Zionist Organization of America demanding that MSNBC fire Reid because she “espouses sinister anti-Semitic canards and gives voice to bizarre conspiracy theories.” In June 2018, Joy issued an apology for the writings, stating, “I’m a better person today than I was over a decade ago. There are things I deeply regret and am embarrassed by, things I would have said differently, and issues where my position has changed.” While these controversies did not directly impact her net worth, they highlight the challenges and scrutiny that come with a high-profile media career.
Awards and Nominations
Reid’s contributions to journalism and media have been recognized through various awards and nominations. She was named a Knight Center for Specialized Journalism fellow in 2003, acknowledging her commitment to in-depth reporting and analysis. In 2016, the Women’s Media Center honored her with the Carol Jenkins Visible and Powerful Media Award, recognizing her impact as a visible and influential voice in the media. Joy Reid also received three NABJ Salute to Excellence Award nominations in 2018.
Reid has also received NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble for “A.M. Joy” (2017) and Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble for “The ReidOut” (2021 and 2022). These nominations highlight her contributions to news and talk programming, as well as her impact on audiences. While awards and nominations do not directly translate into increased net worth, they enhance her reputation and credibility, potentially leading to further career opportunities and increased earnings.
