Since welcoming her first child in June 2021, NBC's Kristen Welker has leaned heavily on her mom and dad for parenting advice. The former Weekend Today anchor, who’s incredibly close to her parents, Julie and Harvey Welker, finds herself drawing on their wisdom more than ever. Parenthood, it turns out, is a whole new ballgame, and Kristen’s parents are her go-to cheerleaders.
Meet Kristen Welker's Mom: Julie Welker, the Real Estate Maven
Julie and Harvey Welker welcomed their daughter Kristen into the world on July 1, 1976, in Philadelphia. Julie, a powerhouse in her own right, currently works as a real estate agent in the city. She’s been the president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Welker Real Estate for over three decades, a testament to her dedication and business acumen. Her journey didn’t stop there, though—Julie earned both a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Impressive, right?
But Julie isn’t just about business. When she’s not closing deals or leading her real estate empire, she loves nothing more than spending time with her granddaughter, Margot. Born to Kristen and her husband, John Hughes, via surrogate, Margot has become the apple of Julie’s eye. The bond between grandmother and granddaughter is unmistakable, and it’s clear that Julie treasures every moment they share.
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Growing up, Kristen often tagged along with her mom to work. These experiences weren’t just professional; they were personal. They helped foster a deep connection between mother and daughter. “Spending time with your girl is one of the most important things you can do,” Julie told Today in May 2021. “Just spending the time getting to know them, having them get to know you, getting to know the work you do—nothing beats spending time with them.”
Beyond work, Julie emphasized the importance of family dinners. “One of the things we held dearly was having dinner every night as a family,” she recalled. “That allowed us to talk and to recap the day and to learn what experiences Kristen had and to tell her about our experiences and our work. There’s nothing I feel that was more important than that time.”
Enter Kristen Welker's Dad: Harvey Welker, the Consulting Engineer
Harvey Welker, a consulting engineer based in Pennsylvania, shares Julie’s commitment to excellence. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree from Thayer School of Engineering. Both Harvey and Julie were unwavering supporters of Kristen’s dream to become a journalist. Her passion for the craft was evident from a young age.
Kristen fondly remembers watching CBS Evening News with her father, where she was inspired by Dan Rather’s storm coverage. “My father said, ‘That’s what you have to do if you want to be a great reporter. You have to go into the eye of a hurricane,’” Kristen shared in an August 2010 interview with City Life. It’s clear that Harvey instilled in her a sense of adventure and dedication to her craft.
Julie, ever the proud parent, gushed to the outlet that Kristen was “the greatest reporter who’s ever walked the Earth.” Fast forward two decades, and Kristen has stepped into a new role—moderating Meet the Press. “Meet the Press is one of the most important political broadcasts in history,” she reflected during a June 2023 episode of Today. “I just feel so grateful and humbled to all of those who built this amazing legacy. I’m thinking about Martha Rountree, Tim Russert, and of course, my mentor, Chuck Todd, who taught me just about everything I know about politics.”
