Michael Christopher Barbaro Biography
Michael Christopher Barbaro is an acclaimed American journalist best known as the gripping voice behind The Daily, the flagship news podcast from The New York Times.
As a child, Barbaro and his sister delivered newspapers, and he attended Hamden Hall Country Day School, where he contributed to the school paper and co-founded an underground publication. In 2002, he earned a history degree from Yale University, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Daily News.
Barbaro began his reporting career at The Washington Post, where he covered biotechnology until joining The New York Times in 2005. He covered a wide range of topics, from Walmart and New York City Hall to national politics, and emerged as a significant voice during the 2016 presidential campaign.
In 2017, he moved into audio journalism, co-hosting The Run-Up before launching The Daily in February of that year. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of daily listeners with its combination of deep reporting and conversational intimacy. The podcast has earned accolades—including a prestigious duPont–Columbia University Award—and helped solidify Barbaro’s reputation in the fast-growing world of digital audio.
Career
Barbaro’s media career began shortly after graduating from Yale University in 2002. His first position was at The Washington Post, where he covered the biotechnology business. In 2005, he joined The New York Times, which would shape much of his professional career. He immediately rose to prominence at the publication for his in-depth coverage of business and retail, notably his investigations of Walmart’s corporate operations and labor conditions. His research demonstrated how the retail giant’s actions influenced both the economy and the lives of its employees.
Barbaro moved from business to political reporting, covering New York City politics under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration. His reporting in City Hall was notable for its emphasis on government and policy. He then transitioned to national politics coverage, becoming one of the newspaper’s most recognizable political journalists. By the 2012 and 2016 elections, Barbaro was well-known for his profiles of presidential contenders and assessments of campaign methods. His coverage of Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign was especially notable for capturing the unique style and vocabulary that influenced the election cycle.
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Barbaro shifted from print to audio journalism in 2016 with The Run-Up, a presidential election-focused podcast. Its popularity prepared the groundwork for the February 2017 debut of The Daily, which Barbaro hosted. The show immediately became one of the most popular podcasts in the United States, with millions of listeners daily. Barbaro’s particular interviewing style—characterized by inquiry, pauses for contemplation, and a conversational tone—helped distinguish the program.
Under his guidance, The Daily has received several important prizes, including the duPont-Columbia University Award, and has transformed how people consume news. Michael is now considered as one of journalism’s most prominent voices, with a career that has spanned the transition from traditional print to digital and radio.
Michael Christopher Age
How old is Michael Christopher? Christopher is 46 years old as of 2025. He was born on October 12, 1979, in New Haven, Connecticut, in the United States of America. Additionally, he celebrates his birthday on October 12th every year.
Michael Christopher Barbaro Family
Christopher Barbaro was born in North Haven, Connecticut, to his mother, Jean, a library media specialist, and father, Frank, a New Haven city fireman. He spent his middle school years delivering the New Haven Register with his sister Tracy, who went on to become a research lab coordinator at Harvard University. Both siblings attended Hamden Hall Country Day School, where Barbaro co-founded the underground school newspaper and developed an early affinity for journalism.
Michael Christopher Barbaro Wife
Barbaro married Timothy Levin, a fellow Yale graduate and founder of the tutoring company Bespoke Education, in October 2014. The couple divorced in July 2018. After his divorce, Barbaro entered a relationship with Lisa Tobin, who is the executive producer of The Daily. The two began living together in Brooklyn around 2019 and were engaged by that time. They married in 2020.
Barbaro and Lisa have two children—a son and a daughter. One of their children was born in May 2021.
Michael Christopher Height
Barbaro is a man of average height and moderate body stature.
Michael Christopher Barbaro Net Worth
Barbaro has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million. His wealth is mostly derived from his successful career in journalism.
Michael Christopher Barbaro Salary
Barbaro receives an estimated annual pay ranging from $45,500 to $110, 500.
