Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mary Katharine Ham |
| Date of Birth | April 5, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Raised In | Durham, North Carolina |
| Occupation | Journalist, Columnist, TV Contributor |
| Net Worth | Approximately $1 million |
| Marital Status | Widowed (2015), Married (2020) |
| Children | Four (three daughters, one son) |
| Father | Jon Ham, journalist |
Early Life and Background
On April 5, 1980, Mary Katharine Ham was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in Durham, North Carolina. Growing up in a majority-black town with university academics shaped her contrarian commentary. The intellectually lively milieu and four-generation journalism tradition of her family shaped her work. Her father, Jon Ham, was a local newspaper managing editor, imparting a journalistic ethic.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | April 5, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Childhood Home | Durham, North Carolina |
| Community Influence | Majority‑black, academic setting |
| Contrarian Streak | Nurtured by diverse viewpoints |
| Family Legacy | Fourth‑generation journalist |
Career Trajectory
Ham has worked in local and national journalism, internet media, radio, and TV. She edited Townhall.com and The Washington Examiner, anchored WMAL’s Morning Majority, and spoke on Fox News and CNN. Her media credits include moderating a 2016 GOP debate and co-writing a free speech book. Her political and cultural comments makes her a prominent conservative.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Roles | Columnist & Managing Editor at Townhall.com |
| Print Media | Writer for The Washington Examiner |
| Radio Host | Morning Majority on WMAL (2008–2012) |
| Television | Fox News (2007–2015, 2024–present), CNN (2016–2022) |
| Debate Moderator | 2016 GOP Presidential Debate on ABC |
| Publications | Co‑author of End of Discussion |
| Teaching Fellowship | Visiting Fellow, Harvard Institute of Politics |
| Awards | Golden Dot, Weblog Awards, ACU Blogger of the Year |
Financial Standing
Mary Katharine Ham’s financial portfolio shows her media, authoring, and broadcasting professions. Her predicted net worth in 2025 is roughly $1 million, based on her profession in journalism and television commentary. Her revenues include print, digital, and broadcast media, but details are confidential. Her varied portfolio shows her flexibility to changing media.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$1 million |
| Primary Income | Journalism, TV contributions |
| Book Sales | Co‑authored publications |
| Speaking Engagements | Paid speaking appearances |
| Broadcast Contracts | Fox News & CNN contributor fees |
| Financial Disclosure | Private and estimated |
Family and Personal Life
Ham’s personal life is resilient and family-oriented. After marrying White House adviser Jake Brewer in 2011, she had two daughters before his 2015 death. She married Steve in 2020 and has two more children in Virginia. She balances work, children, and community service.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Jon Ham, longtime journalist |
| First Marriage | Jake Brewer (2011–2015) |
| Second Marriage | Steve (married 2020) |
| Children | Four (three daughters, one son) |
| Residence | Virginia |
| Family Influence | Strong journalistic tradition |
Publications and Teaching
Mary Katharine Ham has authored and contributed to significant works on political discourse and free speech. She co-wrote End of Discussion with Guy Benson, analyzing the tactics of outrage in modern politics. Additionally, she served as a visiting fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, teaching a course on free speech and civic engagement. Her academic contributions extend beyond Harvard, with guest lectures at multiple universities.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Book Title | End of Discussion |
| Co‑Author | Guy Benson |
| Publication Year | 2016 |
| Subject Matter | Free speech and political debate |
| Academic Role | Visiting Fellow, Harvard Institute of Politics |
| Teaching Focus | Free speech and civic engagement |
FAQ
What is Mary Katharine Ham’s most notable media role?
She is best recognized for her Fox News and CNN political commentary.
How many books has she authored?
She co-authored one book, End of Discussion, focusing on free-speech issues.
What awards has she won?
Her awards include Golden Dot, Weblog, and ACU Blogger of the Year.
How did her childhood influence her views?
She was raised in an academic, majority-black environment to be independent and contrarian.
Where does she currently reside?
She lives in Virginia with family.
