Jake Tapper, born Jacob Paul Tapper on 12th March 1969 (Age: 55 years old), is one of America’s most prominent political journalists, renowned for his incisive interviews and no-nonsense reporting style.
Currently the chief Washington correspondent for CNN, Tapper hosts the weekday news show The Lead with Jake Tapper and co-hosts State of the Union. Though now a respected figure in broadcast journalism.
Initially aspiring to be a cartoonist or filmmaker, he even attended film school before pivoting to a career in media. Starting as a press secretary, Tapper freelanced as a writer for numerous publications before transitioning to broadcast journalism.
Let’s explore more details in Jake Tapper Biography and learn about his age, wife, children, family, education, career, awards, and some unknown facts.
Jake Tapper Wiki & Early Life
Full Name | Jacob Paul Tapper |
Profession | Journalist, Author, Cartoonist |
Age | 55 years old |
Date of Birth | 12 March 1969 |
Nationality | American |
Zodiac/Sun Sign | Pisces |
Birthplace | New York City, New York, U.S. |
Current Address | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Jake Tapper Wife, Children
Jake Tapper is married to Jennifer Marie Brown, whom he wed in 2006. They have two children together, and the family lives in Washington, D.C.
Relationship Status | Married |
Wife/Girlfriend | Wife: Jennifer Marie Brown |
Children | Yet to be updated |
Jake Tapper Family
Jake Tapper’s father, Theodore S. Tapper, is a pediatrician, and his mother, Helene Anne Palmatier, was a psychiatric nurse. He has a younger brother named Aaron Joshua Hahn Tapper, who is an academic and writer.
Parent’s Name | Father: Theodore S. Tapper Mother: Helene Anne Palmatier |
Siblings | Brother: Aaron Joshua Hahn Tapper |
Jake Tapper Education
Tapper graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College with a degree in History. He briefly studied film at the University of Southern California but left after one semester.
School | Akiba Hebrew Academy |
Alma Mater | Dartmouth College |
Highest Qualification | Graduate |
Jake Tapper Career
Jake Tapper started his career in journalism in the 1990s, working for various publications like Salon.com and Washington City Paper. He joined CNN in 2013, where he currently hosts The Lead with Jake Tapper and State of the Union and serves as the network’s Chief Washington Correspondent.
Year | Role | Company |
1992 | Press Secretary | Marjorie Margolies’ Congressional Campaign |
1994-2003 | Cartoonist | Roll Call |
1998-1999 | Senior Writer | Washington City Paper |
1999-2002 | Washington Correspondent | Salon.com |
2001 | Host | CNN |
2003-2012 | Senior White House Correspondent | ABC News |
2013-present | Chief Washington Correspondent, Host | CNN |
2015 | Republican Primary Debate Moderator | CNN |
Awards
Year | Award |
2011 | Emmy Award |
2013 | National Headliner Award |
2014 | Sigma Delta Chi Award (Society of Professional Journalists) |
2015 | Merriman Smith Memorial Award |
2020 | News & Documentary Emmy Award |
2022 | News & Documentary Emmy Award |
Multiple | Edward R. Murrow Award |
Controversies
Year | Controversy | Description |
2015 | Republican Primary Debate Moderation | Criticized for his questioning style during the GOP debate, which some felt created unnecessary conflict. |
2021 | CNN’s Cuomo Scandal Coverage | Tapper publicly criticized former CNN colleague Chris Cuomo for ethical violations involving his brother, Andrew Cuomo. |
2022 | Allegations of Bias | Faced accusations of anti-conservative bias during interviews and news coverage​. |
Jake Tapper Net Worth, Salary
Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $16 Million |
Salary (Approx.) | $4 Million |
Jake Tapper Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Height | In centimeters: 185 cm In meters: 1.85 m In feet & inches: 6 feet 1 inch |
Weight | In kg: 89 kg In lbs: 196 lbs |
Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
Hair Colour | Brown |
Eye Colour | Brown |
Jake Tapper Instagram, X, Facebook
jaketapper | |
X | @jaketapper |
JakeTapper |
10 Interesting Facts About Jake Tapper
- Jake Tapper worked as a press secretary for a congressional campaign before becoming a journalist.
- He once went on a date with Monica Lewinsky and later wrote an empathetic article about her.
- Tapper was a cartoonist and created a comic strip called Capitol Hell for Roll Call.
- He briefly studied film at the University of Southern California before quitting after one semester.
- His father is a pediatrician, and his mother is a psychiatric nurse.
- Jake Tapper attended the Akiba Hebrew Academy, where he was class president​.
- He received the Merriman Smith Memorial Award for presidential coverage under deadline pressure.
- Tapper once criticized his CNN colleague Chris Cuomo during the scandal involving Andrew Cuomo​.
- His book The Outpost was adapted into a film in 2020​.
- He is a Phi Beta Kappa honor society member from Dartmouth College, where he graduated magna cum laude.
FAQs
What religion is Jake Tapper?
Jake Tapper is Jewish, and he has spoken about his Jewish heritage and upbringing, including attending a Jewish day school​.
What is Jake Tapper doing now?
Jake Tapper is continuing his role as CNN’s Chief Washington Correspondent and hosts two shows: The Lead with Jake Tapper and State of the Union.
Does Jake Tapper have a child?
Yes, Jake Tapper has two children with his wife, Jennifer Marie Brown.
What kind of books does Jake Tapper write?
Jake Tapper writes both non-fiction and fiction, with a focus on political thrillers (The Hellfire Club) and military history (The Outpost).
What is Jake Tapper’s salary?
Tapper’s estimated annual salary is around $4 million, according to various reports​.
How long has Jake Tapper been with CNN?
Jake has been with CNN since January 2013, making it over 11 years of service at the network.