Lester Holt's Family Life: Meet His Sons And Grandsons

When you think of Lester Holt, you probably picture the calm, composed anchor delivering the latest headlines on NBC Nightly News. But behind the scenes, Lester is a devoted family man who loves spending time with his two sons and three grandsons. In fact, his grandkids affectionately call him “granddude,” a title he wears with pride. So, let’s take a closer look at the man behind the news desk and the family that keeps him grounded.

Lester shares his life with his wife, Carol Hagen, a partnership that’s lasted over four decades. Together, they’ve raised two incredible sons: Stefan Holt and Cameron Holt. Both boys have followed in their father’s footsteps in their own unique ways. Stefan, the eldest, is a seasoned journalist, while Cameron has carved out a successful career in finance. Lester couldn’t be prouder of his boys, often praising their strong work ethic and solid character.

“You know, they’re just great guys,” Lester told Yahoo! Life in July 2021. “We were so lucky when they were growing up. There was never any drama, no trouble that I knew of. They were good kids, and now they’re amazing men. They’re kind, hardworking, and they’ve charted their own paths in life. As a dad, what more could you ask for?”

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Stefan Holt: Following in Dad's Footsteps

Stefan Holt, born in 1987, is Lester’s eldest son and a shining example of the next generation of journalists. Like his dad, Stefan pursued a career in broadcast journalism, studying broadcast journalism and political science at Pepperdine University, where he graduated in 2009. Stefan’s journey into the world of news began with a bang, landing a position as a reporter and fill-in anchor for Hearst Magazine in West Palm Beach, Florida, right after graduation.

After two years of honing his skills, Stefan moved on to bigger opportunities, joining NBC as a news anchor. Since May 2011, Stefan has been a respected member of the NBC 5 Chicago team, bringing the latest news to viewers every day. Lester, who’s seen a thing or two in his career, offered some sage advice to Stefan and other young journalists entering the field.

“The world of journalism is constantly changing, and you’ve got to be ready for that,” Lester said during a February 2025 interview with NBCU Academy. “People will always want to know what’s happening, but the way they consume news will shift. One of my mentors once told me that journalism is a calling. It might sound cheesy, but it’s true. You’ve got to believe in what we do because we’re a cornerstone of democracy. There was a time when trust in the media was shaky, and it hit a lot of young journalists hard. But you’ve got to have courage and stand up for journalistic principles. Sometimes, you’ve got to tune out the noise so people can hear the truth.”

When he’s not working, Stefan is a loving husband to his wife, Morgan Holt, and a devoted father to their three sons: Henry, Sam, and James. The couple welcomed their third child, James, in September 2021, and Stefan couldn’t have been more excited. He announced the arrival of his little bundle of joy on Instagram, writing, “Breaking News: Henry and Sam are thrilled to welcome their baby brother this fall. And they’re even helping us pick out names.”

Four months later, Stefan revealed the name they chose for their newest addition. “Our sweet baby James has arrived,” he wrote, sharing adorable pictures of his newborn son. The post was accompanied by the hashtags “baby boy” and “happy birthday.”

Cameron Holt: A Different Path

Cameron Holt, born in 1990, is Lester’s younger son and has taken a different route in life. Cameron graduated from Stanford University in 2012 with a degree in mathematical and computational science. He didn’t stop there, earning a master’s degree in management science and engineering from the same prestigious institution in 2013.

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While Cameron’s career path diverged from journalism, he did dabble in television production during an internship with CNBC, working on shows like Squawk on the Street and CNBC Reports in 2009. Since then, Cameron has thrived in the world of finance, serving as the Vice President of the Institutional Equity Division at Morgan Stanley since 2013.

Unlike his brother, Cameron keeps a lower profile when it comes to his personal life. However, his Twitter bio gives us a glimpse into his personality, describing him as a “Yankees fan and coffee drinker extraordinaire.” According to reports, Cameron doesn’t have children but is a devoted pet dad to his rescue dogs, Millie and Maddy.

Grandparenthood: A New Chapter for Lester Holt

Becoming a grandfather has been a joyous new chapter in Lester’s life. With three grandsons, he’s fully embracing the role, even adopting the playful nickname “granddude.” When asked about his favorite part of being a grandparent, Lester joked, “Well, you get to spoil them, love them, and