Sharon Epperson Bio
Sharon Epperson is a multi-award-winning American journalist currently serving as the Senior Personal Finance Correspondent for CNBC. Based at the network’s global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, she is a leading authority on personal wealth, specializing in retirement planning, college affordability, and building intergenerational wealth. In January 2026, Sharon celebrated a historic milestone—30 years with CNBC—becoming one of the network’s longest-tenured and most respected correspondents.
Sharon’s career began in print as a correspondent for Time magazine, where she covered business, social issues, and high-profile events like the O.J. Simpson trial. She joined CNBC in 1996 and previously spent eight years as the station’s senior energy correspondent at the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) before shifting her focus to personal finance. She is the creator and editor of the popular “Money 101” newsletter and learning course, which helps millions of people manage and protect their financial resources.
Beyond her financial expertise, Sharon is a powerful advocate for health and wellness. In September 2016, she survived a life-threatening ruptured brain aneurysm while working out at the gym. Since her recovery, she has become a dedicated volunteer for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, even establishing “The Sharon Epperson Chair of Research” to fund early detection and innovative treatments.
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Sharon was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and government from Harvard University and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University. Since 2000, she has also served as an adjunct instructor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), teaching graduate students about media and personal finance.
In her spare time, Sharon is an avid traveler and a regular contributor to NBC’s TODAY and NBC Nightly News. She is the author of the 2007 book The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take to Make the Most of Their Money and Live Richly Ever After.
She currently resides in Westchester County, New York.
Sharon Epperson Age
How old is Sharon Epperson? Epperson was born on April 12, 1968, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is 57 years old as of early 2026. In addition, she celebrates her birthday on the 12th of April every year.
Sharon Epperson Family
Sharon comes from a family of trailblazers. Her father, the late Dr. David E. Epperson. He was the first African-American dean at the University of Pittsburgh, leading the School of Social Work for nearly 30 years. Her mother, Cecelia T. Epperson, is a retired schoolteacher who Sharon often credits for her focus on education and financial literacy. She has one sister, Lia Epperson, who is a prominent civil rights lawyer and law professor.
Sharon Epperson’s Husband
Sharon’s personal life is a union of two journalistic powerhouses. She is married to Christopher John Farley. Farley is an award-winning journalist and author who has worked as a senior correspondent for Time and an editor for the Wall Street Journal. The couple wed on August 30, 1997, and has two children together. Since her health scare in 2016, Sharon has often spoken about her “family first” priority, even involving her children in her work-related wardrobe and stock market reporting.
Sharon Epperson’s Height
Epperson stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 8 inches.
Sharon Epperson Net Worth
Epperson has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026. Her wealth is primarily attributed to her 30-year career as a senior correspondent for a global news network, her book royalties, and her role as a university instructor.
Sharon Epperson’s Salary
Epperson receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $45,500 to $110,500.
