Margaret Mary Brennan

Margaret Brennan is a distinguished American journalist currently serving as the moderator of CBS News’ Face the Nation. As the network’s chief foreign affairs correspondent, she provides expert analysis on global security and high-stakes international diplomacy from Washington, D.C. Her career spans over two decades, transitioning from a prominent financial reporter to one of the most respected political interviewers in television news today.

Overview

Margaret Mary Brennan's Profile

Margaret Brennan was born on March 26, 1980, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Edward and Jane Brennan, both of Irish descent. She grew up competing as an Irish dancer from age five until injuries ended her dance career at 18. She attended the University of Virginia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies with a minor in Arabic in 2002, graduating with highest distinction.

Brennan launched her career as a producer for CNBC’s Wall Street Week with Louis Rukeyser, later became a CNBC financial correspondent, before eventually anchoring InBusiness with Margaret Brennan on Bloomberg Television. She joined CBS News in 2012 as a State Department and White House correspondent, covering the Obama and Trump administrations across more than a dozen countries. In 2018, she was named the 10th moderator of Face the Nation. 

Off-screen, Brennan is married to Yado Yakub, a Syrian-American attorney and U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate. The couple has two sons and resides in Washington, D.C.

Quick Facts

3
Shows Hosted

[tvhost_current_show_count]
Shows Currently Hosting
Post type: tv_hosts
Host ID: 502168
Shows field: Array
(
    [0] => 500700
    [1] => 501263
    [2] => 501304
)

20
Years Active

50
Awards Won

TV Shows​

A list of television shows hosted by this host, including current programs and previous presenting roles.

Networks

A list of Networks that this host has worked for.

Personal Life

Family, relationships and background

  • Marriage Yado Yakub from 2015 to (A Syrian-American attorney and judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps. They met in college and began dating in 2012.)
  • Eamon Brennan Yakub, a biological child with Yado Yakub, born in 2018
  • Malek Murphy Yakub , a biological child with Yado Yakub, born in 2021

Education

Educational background and qualifications

  • Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, Connecticut
  • Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies (minor in Arabic) from the University of Virginia. Graduated with the highest distinction.
  • Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan — Studied Arabic as a Fulbright-Hays Scholar.

Net Worth & Income

Income sources, net worth, and properties.

  • Primary income from her CBS News contract.
  • Additional income from speaking engagements, primarily focusing on geopolitics, foreign policy, and media leadership.

Awards

Awards & recognition

  • Emmy Award — Outstanding News Special, Parkland High School shooting coverage, Face the Nation / CBS News' 39 Days documentary (2018)
  • Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award — Coverage of the Newtown tragedy, CBS News team (2012–2013)
  • Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in TV Political Journalism — Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University (2023)
  • National Headliner Award — Broadcast and Cable Coverage of a Continuing News Event, Face the Nation pandemic coverage (2021)
  • Wilbur Award — Religion Communications Council, Face the Nation (2020)
  • Fulbright Award for International Understanding (2010)
  • Multichannel News Woman of Influence Award (2023)