Let’s talk about Jenna Bush Hager, the woman who stepped into Kathie Lee Gifford’s shoes on the Today show and has since made it her own. You might know her as the daughter of former President George W. Bush, but there’s so much more to her story. Since joining the world of television, Jenna has built an impressive career and amassed a net worth that reflects her hard work and dedication. Keep reading to dive into her life, from her early days to her current success.
Jenna Bush Hager's Net Worth: How She Built Her Empire
So, how much is Jenna worth? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jenna Bush Hager’s net worth is a cool $14 million. Her journey in television began back in 2009 when she joined the Today team as a correspondent. At first, she contributed stories once a month, focusing on education—a topic close to her heart. Jenna wasn’t always sure this was the path she’d take, but she embraced the opportunity with open arms.
“It wasn’t something I’d always dreamed to do. But I think one of the most important things in life is to be open-minded and to be open to change,” Jenna shared in an interview with the New York Times. She quickly realized her passion for storytelling and decided to focus on issues she cared deeply about, like education, women’s rights, and children’s literacy. That passion has clearly paid off, as her role on Today evolved into a full-time gig. Now, Jenna earns an estimated $4 million annually, doing what she loves.
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Before her time on Today, Jenna worked at the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School for a year and a half in the mid-2000s. In the summer of 2006, she took a leave of absence to intern with UNICEF’s Educational Policy Department in Latin America, where she worked in a shelter. These experiences shaped her perspective and fueled her passion for education and humanitarian work. Over the years, Jenna’s role on Today has grown significantly, allowing her to shine as a full-time cohost and earn a salary that reflects her hard work.
“I love to tell people’s stories,” Jenna said in an October 2017 interview. “It’s an honor to interview people, listen to what they have to say, and authentically portray their experiences. Nine years later, I’m still working for them [Today], and I truly love my job. It’s a privilege to be part of such an amazing team.”
Family Life: Jenna Bush Hager and Her Kids
Jenna married her husband, Henry Chase Hager, in a beautiful ceremony on May 10, 2008. Together, they’ve built a loving family with three wonderful children. Their first daughter, Margaret Laura “Mila” Hager, was born in April 2013, followed by Poppy Louise Hager in August 2015. In 2019, Jenna announced her third pregnancy on the Today show, joking about how she managed to keep it a secret. That August, she welcomed her first son, Henry Harold “Hal” Hager, completing their happy family.
Sisterhood: Jenna Bush Hager and Her Twin Barbara
Jenna shares a special bond with her fraternal twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush. Born just minutes apart, Barbara is technically the older twin. Interestingly, Jenna and Barbara almost didn’t happen—George and Laura Bush had planned to adopt before learning they were expecting twins. “My parents put in their adoption papers before Barbara and I were born,” Jenna revealed in a 2017 interview on Today. “They tried for five years and weren’t getting pregnant. They even sent a picture to the adoption agency, and my mom always says, ‘Doesn’t this look like a couple desperate for children?’ Then, the day they found out they’d been accepted to adopt, they learned they were pregnant with us.”
While Jenna pursued a career in television, Barbara followed a different path. She’s the co-founder and president of Global Health Corps, a nonprofit dedicated to improving public health in underserved communities. Despite their different careers, both sisters share a deep commitment to helping others. They’re also legacy members of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, though they attended different colleges—Barbara went to Yale, and Jenna attended the University of Texas at Austin.
A Writer at Heart: Jenna Bush Hager’s Books
Jenna isn’t just a television personality; she’s also a prolific writer. Her first book, Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope, came out in 2007 and shares her experiences working with UNICEF-sponsored charities in Latin America. She then collaborated with her mom, Laura Bush, on two children’s books: Read All About It! (2008) and Our Great Big Backyard (2010), both of which celebrate the beauty of nature and reading.
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In 2017, Jenna co-wrote Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life with Barbara, offering a glimpse into their lives as twins growing up in Texas and navigating life in the spotlight as first daughters. Her 2020 memoir, Everything Beautiful in Its Time: Seasons of Love and Loss, reflects on the wisdom she gained from her grandparents. Jenna continues to write, releasing The Superpower Sisterhood in 2022, a children’s book celebrating the bond between sisters.
“I’ve always been a writer,” Jenna explained. “I wrote for my school newspaper and have worked with Southern Living for years, writing about travel, entertaining, and life in the South. Writing is a big part of who I am.”
