Joe Scarborough: The Man Behind The Microphone

What’s Joe Scarborough’s Net Worth Worth Talking About?

Joe Scarborough is more than just a face on your TV screen. This American cable news and talk radio host, lawyer, author, and former politician has amassed a net worth of $25 million. Known for co-hosting MSNBC’s iconic morning show "Morning Joe" alongside his wife, Mika Brzezinski, Scarborough has carved out a unique niche in media. Before he found fame on television, Joe hosted "Scarborough Country" on MSNBC and spent six years as a Republican representative for Florida's 1st district in the U.S. House of Representatives. His journey from Capitol Hill to the morning talk show circuit is nothing short of fascinating, and it’s clear that his influence extends far beyond politics.

Early Life and Education: The Making of a Multifaceted Man

Joe Scarborough was born Charles Joseph Scarborough on April 9, 1963, in Atlanta, Georgia, to parents Mary and George Scarborough. Growing up, Joe wasn’t confined to one place—his family moved around quite a bit. By the time he was six, they had relocated to Meridian, Mississippi, before eventually settling in Elmira, New York, and later Pensacola, Florida. It was in Pensacola where Joe attended Catholic High School and laid the groundwork for his future. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Alabama, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1985. But Joe wasn’t done learning. He went on to the University of Florida College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1990.

While in college, Joe didn’t just focus on academics. He dabbled in music, writing and producing with his band Dixon Mills, and even coached football. This diverse set of interests hints at the multi-dimensional person Joe would become, balancing law, politics, media, and even music throughout his career.

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Legal Career: From the Courtroom to the Spotlight

After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1991, Scarborough began practicing law in Pensacola. One of his most notable cases came early in his career when he represented Michael F. Griffin, who had been convicted of murdering Dr. David Gunn in 1993. Although Joe eventually distanced himself from the case, he continued to assist Griffin in finding counseling services and protected Griffin’s family from the media on a pro bono basis. This case, among others, helped bring Joe into the public eye. Later in 1993, Joe gained further recognition for leading a petition drive opposing a property tax increase in Pensacola, showcasing his knack for advocacy and community involvement.

Congressional Career: A Seat at the Table

Scarborough’s political career took off in the 1994 general election when he defeated Democratic candidate Vince Whibbs Jr. to represent Florida’s 1st congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Over the next six years, he was reelected three times, each time with overwhelming support. During his time in Congress, Joe served on several influential committees, including Judiciary, Education, Government Reform, and Armed Services. He signed onto the controversial Contract with America legislative agenda and was named chairman of the Civil Service Committee in 1998.

Joe was part of a group of about 40 freshman Republican legislators known as the New Federalists, inspired by "The Federalist Papers." This group pushed for significant cuts in the federal government, advocating for the privatization or reduction of departments like Education, Energy, Commerce, and Housing and Urban Development. Scarborough also championed regressive policies, such as anti-abortion stances, sponsoring a bill to withdraw the U.S. from the United Nations, and voting to eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Despite his generally conservative voting record, Joe showed a slightly more moderate stance on environmental and human rights issues. After nearly four terms, Joe announced his resignation from Congress in 2001, citing a desire to spend more time with his children.

Media Career: Transitioning to the Spotlight

While still serving in Congress in 1999, Scarborough founded the free weekly Pensacola newspaper "The Florida Sun," which later merged to become Independent News. This marked the beginning of Joe’s transition into media. In 2003, he launched his television career with the opinion and analysis show "Scarborough Country" on MSNBC. Four years later, Joe began hosting "Morning Joe," a morning news and talk show that quickly became a staple of political discourse. Co-hosted with Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist, the show features in-depth discussions on current political events and discourse, often employing a panel format.

Beyond television, Joe has been a regular guest on NBC and MSNBC news programs, including "Meet the Press," where he even served as a guest host in 2012. In the world of radio, Joe cohosted a two-hour late-morning show with Mika Brzezinski on New York City’s WABC from 2008 to 2010. Not one to be confined to just one medium, Joe has also written several books, starting with "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day: the Real Deal on how Politicians, Bureaucrats, and other Washington Barbarians are Bankrupting America" in 2005. Other titles include "The Last Best Hope," "The Right Path: From Ike to Reagan, How Republicans Once Mastered Politics – and Can Again," and "Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization." In 2017, Joe revisited his musical roots with the release of his debut EP, "Mystified," and a corresponding music video.

Personal Life: Love, Family, and Politics

Joe’s personal life has been as eventful as his professional one. He married his first wife, Melanie Hilton, in 1986, and they had two sons before divorcing in 1999. In 2001, Joe wed Susan Warren, a former congressional committee staffer and aide to Florida governor Jeb Bush. Together, they had a daughter and a son before divorcing in 2013. Joe then moved to the wealthy New York City suburb of New Canaan, Connecticut, in 2016. The following year, during a trip to France, he got engaged to Mika Brzezinski, and they were married in 2018 in Washington, D.C.

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Joe’s political views have evolved over the years. In 2017, he announced his departure from the Republican Party to become an independent, citing his dissatisfaction with the party's embrace of Donald Trump, who had frequently targeted Joe and his wife. Following the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, Joe vocally criticized the Capitol Hill Police for their role in enabling the attack. His outspoken nature continues to make him a prominent voice in American politics and media.