Who Is Tim Russert? Age, Biography and Wiki
Tim Russert was born on May 7, 1950, in Buffalo, New York, and he passed away on June 13, 2008. As of 2025, he would have celebrated his 75th birthday. Renowned for his sharp political insight and engaging interview style, Russert was an influential American lawyer and television journalist. After graduating from John Carroll University, he earned a law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He gained national prominence as the moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press," where he became known for his tough questioning and ability to dissect political narratives.
| Occupation | News Anchor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 7, 1950 |
| Age | 58 Years |
| Birth Place | Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 13 June, 2008 |
| Died Place | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Popularity
Tim Russert's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Tim Russert's height and weight are not widely documented, he was generally regarded as being of average build for a man of his era. His commanding presence on television, combined with his engaging personality, contributed to his effectiveness as a journalist.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Tim Russert was married to Maureen Orth, a journalist and author, from 1981 until his untimely passing in 2008. They had one son, Luke Russert, who followed in his father's footsteps and pursued a career in journalism. Despite his high-profile career, Tim was known to value his privacy, maintaining a close bond with his family while navigating the public spotlight.
Elizabeth and Joseph were married for 30 years, before separating in 1976. Russert was the only son and the second of four children; his sisters are Betty Ann (B.A.), Kathleen (Kathy) and Patricia (Trish). His parents were Catholics, and he had German and Irish ancestry. He received a Jesuit education from Canisius High School in Buffalo.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2008, Tim Russert's net worth was estimated to be around $5 million. His salary as a prominent journalist, particularly as the host of "Meet the Press," was substantial, with reports suggesting that he earned around $1 million annually. His legacy continues to impact the journalism field, with many aspiring journalists looking up to his career as a model of excellence.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1972 from John Carroll University and a Juris Doctor with honors from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 1976.
Russert commented on Meet the Press that he went to Woodstock "in a Buffalo Bills jersey with a case of beer." While in law school, an official from his alma mater, John Carroll University, called Russert to ask if he could book some concerts for the school as he had done while a student.
He agreed, but said he would need to be paid because he was running out of money to pay for law school. One concert that Russert booked was headlined by a then-unknown singer, Bruce Springsteen, who charged $2,500 for the concert appearance. Russert told this story to Jay Leno when he was a guest on The Tonight Show on NBC on June 6, 2006.
John Carroll University has since named its Department of Communication and Theatre Arts in Russert's honor.
Career, Business and Investments
Tim Russert's career spanned several decades, beginning in local journalism and rising to national prominence. He played pivotal roles in covering numerous major events, including presidential elections and significant political shifts. At NBC, he was not only the moderator of "Meet the Press" but also served as the network's Washington bureau chief. His work earned him several awards, including multiple Emmy Awards.
In terms of investments and business ventures, Russert was known for his astute commentary on economic and political issues, but there is limited information on specific business endeavors beyond his journalism career. His familial connections, particularly through his wife, Maureen Orth, who is a notable journalist and author, provided additional insights into various cultural and political landscapes.
Russert, then a student at the Cleveland–Marshall College of Law, attended Ten Cent Beer Night, a promotion by the Cleveland Indians which ended in a riot at the stadium. "I went with $2 in my pocket," he recalled. "You do the math."
Social Network
Tim Russert’s influence extended beyond traditional media outlets, with a significant presence across social networks during his lifetime. Although he did not actively engage in social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook—due to their rise occurring primarily after his passing—his legacy is commemorated by numerous fan pages and tribute accounts celebrating his contributions to journalism. His son, Luke Russert, has been active in media and honors his father’s memory through various projects.
Russert joined NBC as an executive, and did not expect to appear on television. He was hired by NBC News's Washington bureau in 1984 and became bureau chief by 1989. Russert became host of the Sunday morning program Meet the Press in 1991, and was the longest-serving host of the program.
Its name was changed to Meet the Press with Tim Russert, and, at his suggestion, expanded to an hour in 1992. The show also shifted to a greater focus on in-depth interviews with high-profile guests, where Russert was known for extensive preparatory research and cross-examining style.
One approach he developed was to find old quotes or video clips that were inconsistent with guests' more recent statements, present them on-air to his guests and then ask them to clarify their positions.
With Russert as host the audience grew to more than four million viewers per week, and it was recognized as one of the most important sources of political news. Time magazine named Russert one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008, and Russert often moderated political campaign debates.
Education
Tim Russert attended John Carroll University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, before obtaining a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. This strong educational foundation not only prepared him for a career in law but also equipped him with the analytical skills necessary for a successful career in journalism.
During NBC's coverage of the 2000 presidential election, Russert calculated possible Electoral College outcomes using a whiteboard (now in the Smithsonian Institution) on the air and memorably summed up the outcome as dependent upon "Florida, Florida, Florida." TV Guide described the scene as "one of the 100 greatest moments in TV history." Russert
again accurately predicted the final battleground of the presidential election of 2004: "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio." In the course of the debate leading up to that election, Russert used February 2004 interviews with the two candidates to home in on the paradoxical fact (and the possible consequences for democracy) of their both apparently having been memb
ers of Yale University's Skull and Bones secret society.
On the MSNBC show Tucker, Russert predicted the battleground states of the 2008 presidential election would be New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada, saying, "If Democrats can win three of those four, they can lose Ohio and Florida, and win the presidency."
