If you’ve spent any time watching Deadline: White House, you know that Nicolle Wallace isn't exactly someone who wears her private life on her sleeve. She's sharp, she’s quick, and she usually keeps the focus strictly on the political firestorm of the day. But every now and then, viewers catch a glimpse of a gold band or hear a subtle reference that sparks the inevitable question: who is Nicolle Wallace husband?
Honestly, the answer is a bit of a media power-couple crossover that even a Hollywood scriptwriter might find a little too "on the nose." In 2022, Wallace married Michael S. Schmidt. If that name sounds familiar, it's because it should. He isn't just some guy behind the scenes; he’s one of the most prominent investigative journalists in the country.
The Meet-Cute That Happened on National TV
Most people think these two met at some high-society D.C. gala or a secret donor dinner. Nope. It was much more "modern media" than that. Michael Schmidt is a regular guest on MSNBC, and he was a frequent flyer on Nicolle’s own show. They literally met on set.
Imagine the scene: the cameras are rolling, the teleprompter is humming, and you're discussing national security leaks or federal law enforcement. Somewhere between the "A-block" and the final credits, sparks flew. They started dating around March 2019, shortly after Wallace’s divorce from her first husband, Mark Wallace, was finalized.
It wasn't a whirlwind, tabloid-heavy romance. They kept things incredibly quiet for a long time. In fact, when they finally tied the knot in April 2022, it was a small, private ceremony. No massive media blitz. Just a spokesperson confirming the news to People after Nicolle was spotted wearing a wedding ring on air.
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Who Exactly Is Michael S. Schmidt?
Calling Michael Schmidt just "Nicolle Wallace's husband" is a bit like calling Tom Brady "Gisele's ex-husband who played a little football." The guy is a powerhouse in his own right.
Schmidt is a correspondent for The New York Times in Washington, D.C. He’s the guy who covers the heavy hitters: national security, the FBI, and federal law enforcement. If there’s a massive story breaking about a Department of Justice investigation, there’s a high probability his byline is at the top.
He’s won two Pulitzer Prizes. Two.
- The first was in 2018 for reporting on Donald Trump’s campaign’s ties to Russia.
- The second was for his work on the sexual harassment scandals that rocked the media world (think Bill O'Reilly and Harvey Weinstein).
He’s also the author of the best-selling book Donald Trump v. The United States, which basically became the Bible for anyone trying to understand the legal chaos of the last few years. So, when they sit down for dinner, the conversation probably isn't about what's on Netflix. It's about the state of American democracy.
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A Surprising New Chapter
For a long time, Nicolle was a mom of one. She shares a son, Liam, with her ex-husband Mark. But in November 2023, she shocked her audience with some pretty vulnerable news. At age 51, she announced that she and Michael had welcomed a daughter via surrogate.
She took a brief hiatus from her show, and when she shared the news, you could tell it was a big deal for her. She talked about how "madly in love" they were with the new addition. It humanized a woman who is usually the epitome of "cool, calm, and collected" under the studio lights.
It’s also worth noting the age gap, which some people like to whisper about. Michael was born in 1983, making him about 11 years younger than Nicolle. In the grand scheme of things? It clearly doesn't matter. They seem to be on the exact same intellectual wavelength, which is probably the most important thing when your lives revolve around the 24-hour news cycle.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Power Couple" Label
People love to assume that because they are both in the media, they are constantly "colluding" or sharing secrets. But journalism doesn't really work like that—at least not at their level.
Schmidt is a reporter; his job is to find the facts and stay objective (as much as anyone can). Wallace is a commentator and host; her job is to analyze and provide a platform for discussion. While they certainly share a worldview rooted in institutional stability, their professional roles are actually quite distinct.
One thing that makes their relationship work—at least from an outsider's perspective—is their shared history of being "in the room." Nicolle was the White House Communications Director for George W. Bush. She knows how the gears of power turn. Michael is the one trying to look under the hood while the engine is running.
Moving Forward: What to Look For
If you’re looking for more updates on Nicolle and Michael, don’t expect a reality show. They aren't the types to post "get ready with me" videos on TikTok. They value their privacy, especially now that they are raising a young daughter and a teenage son.
However, you can keep an eye out for:
- Michael’s frequent appearances on Deadline: White House: They still maintain a professional relationship on air, though they usually keep it strictly about the news.
- Literary collaborations: While they haven't written a book together yet, their combined knowledge of D.C. politics is unmatched.
- Surrogacy advocacy: Since opening up about their daughter, Nicolle has become a quiet but powerful voice for families who take non-traditional paths to parenthood.
Understanding who is Nicolle Wallace husband gives you a better look at the woman behind the desk. She isn't just a talking head; she’s half of a high-stakes partnership that lives and breathes the very news she reports every afternoon.
If you want to stay in the loop, the best way is to actually watch the show. She rarely gives interviews about her personal life elsewhere, so those little "off-the-cuff" remarks during her transitions are where you'll find the real heart of their story.
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Check out Michael Schmidt’s latest reporting at The New York Times to see the kind of work that occupies his time when he isn't being a dad—it’s a great way to see why these two are such a formidable match.