Alex Burns Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, The Times
Alex Burns is an American journalist, author and political editor best known as national political correspondent for The New York Times covering the 2016 and 2020 elections, CNN political analyst, and co-author of the bestseller This Will Not Pass. Born Alexander Burns on April 3, 1986 in New York City, he is 40 years old in 2026, stands 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) tall, married to CNN White House correspondent MJ Lee since 2013 with two children, and now serves as Senior Executive Editor North America and head of news for Politico after returning in fall 2022.
Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexander Burns |
| Profession | Journalist, Political Correspondent, Author, Editor |
| Birth Date | April 3, 1986 |
| Age | 40 years 6 months old |
| Birth Place | New York City, USA – raised Riverdale, Bronx |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | NYT national political correspondent (2015–2022), CNN analyst, This Will Not Pass (2022), Politico head of news |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac | Aries |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | Average build – exact private |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Fieldston School; Harvard College AB History & Literature 2008 – editor Harvard Political Review; researcher for Doris Kearns Goodwin |
| Religion | Private |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Min Jung MJ Lee (CNN White House correspondent, m. 2013 – met at Politico) |
| Children | 2 – daughter Penelope Lee Burns (b. Feb 2021) and son Jamie (b. 2023) |
| Family Tree | Father elementary school principal; mother NYU English professor; wife MJ Lee; two kids – son of two educators |
| Hobbies | Presidential history, American Heritage blogging, Morning Joe guest hits, book writing |
| Current Work | Politico Senior Executive Editor North America / head of news (2022–present); Milken 2026 speaker |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Net Worth | ~$1 million (2026 est.) |
Related names: MJ Lee (wife, CNN correspondent), Jonathan Martin (NYT co-author This Will Not Pass), Maggie Haberman (Burns and Haberman 2012 blog), Doris Kearns Goodwin (mentor historian), Morning Joe (guest spot).
Early Life & Education
Alexander Burns was born April 3, 1986 in New York City and grew up in Riverdale, Bronx as the son of two educators – father an elementary school principal and mother an English professor at NYU. Dinner-table debates about current events turned him into a news junkie early. He made a picture book about the 1992 election at age six after watching debates with parents.
He attended Fieldston School, then Harvard College where he concentrated in History & Literature and graduated in 2008. At Harvard he was editor of the Harvard Political Review, wrote for National Journal, blogged for American Heritage history magazine from 2005, and spent nearly two years as researcher for historian Doris Kearns Goodwin on The Bully Pulpit (Theodore Roosevelt papers). A family friend tip got him American Heritage clips covering Electoral College to Seinfeld in historical context.
Career Journey
Politico Garage-Band Years (2008–2015)
Hired a week out of college in 2008 as researcher-reporter during Politico’s garage-band phase, Burns covered congressional and Senate elections and the 2012 presidential race. He held down half of powerhouse Burns and Haberman campaign blog with Maggie Haberman, focusing on Republican power in states and Democrats’ big-city dominance. By 2012 he was senior political reporter traveling outside Washington for statehouse stories.
New York Times and CNN Stardom (2015–2022)
He joined The New York Times Feb 1, 2015 as Metro political correspondent, then national political correspondent for 2016 and 2020 elections. He led Trump first-election and Trump defeat coverage, served as CNN political analyst, and guested on Morning Joe. With fellow Times reporter Jonathan Martin he wrote This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future, released May 2022 covering final Trump months, COVID and Jan 6 Capitol attack – bestseller at $14.99 Google Play / Barnes & Noble.
Return to Politico as Head of News (2022–Present)
He left NYT and returned to Politico fall 2022 as associate editor global politics, now Senior Executive Editor North America / head of news overseeing US-Canada politics and policy. He reported Trump’s impact for over a decade, headlined Milken Global Conference 2026 as deeply experienced journalist and bestselling author, and writes on party direction post-McCarthy/Manchin era. He lives in Washington and remains NYT contributor archive.
Career Stats
- Politico: 2008–2015 reporter/editor + 2022–present head of news – 10+ years
- NYT: 2015–2022 Metro to national correspondent – 2016 + 2020 elections lead
- TV: CNN analyst + Morning Joe guest + NBC Nightly/MSNBC hits
- Book: This Will Not Pass May 2022 with Jonathan Martin – bestseller
- Years: 18 (2008–present)
Personal Life
- Wife: Min Jung MJ Lee – CNN White House correspondent, born March 5, 1987 Seoul, US citizen Ellis Island Sept 17, 2016 – met in Politico newsroom, married 2013, moved to NY together 2015
- Children: Daughter Penelope Lee Burns (b. Feb 2021 early surprise) and son Jamie (b. 2023) – announced on social with gratitude
- Parents: Father principal, mother NYU professor – both educators from Riverdale
- Residence: Washington, DC (NYC 2015–2022) – lives with MJ and kids
Dating History and Affairs
- MJ Lee (2008–present): Only public relationship – Politico colleagues to 2013 wedding, two kids 2021/2023, no affairs or splits, faithfully private through 2026
Controversies
None through 2026 regarding arrests, lawsuits, feuds or misconduct. Coverage is straight political reporting on Trump, Biden, elections and Capitol attack – no personal scandal.
Awards & Achievements
- Bestselling author This Will Not Pass (2022) with Jonathan Martin
- Lead reporter two presidential elections (2016, 2020) for NYT
- Harvard Political Review editor + American Heritage blogger from 2005
- Milken 2026 speaker as Politico Senior Executive Editor North America
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
- Build: Average – exact weight private
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Brown
Quotes
“I fell in love with the work. I went to the Times in 2015… But when Donald Trump won, there was just no way I could responsibly walk away from reporting on that story.”
— Alex Burns on Trump era, NYRB Jan 2023
“One week ago, we welcomed Penelope Lee Burns into the world. She surprised us by coming a little earlier than we expected.”
— MJ Lee and Alex Burns birth announcement, Feb 2021
Favorites
- Beat: Elections and political power outside Washington – states, mayors, big cities
- Mentor book: Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Bully Pulpit research – Roosevelt/Taft papers
- Show: Morning Joe guest hits
- History kick: 1992 election picture book at age six
Earnings
Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$1 million. Sources: Politico head-of-news executive salary (prior NYT $82,140 base reported + CNN analyst fees + Morning Joe), This Will Not Pass royalties, speaking (Milken 2026). Lives in DC with family, not luxury-flaunting.
Interesting Facts
- He was hired at Politico a week out of Harvard in 2008 garage-band days.
- He ran Burns and Haberman 2012 blog with Maggie Haberman.
- He researched Teddy Roosevelt for Doris Kearns Goodwin nearly two years.
- He made 1992 election picture book at age six.
- He moved to NYT Metro Feb 1, 2015 memo by Wendell Jamieson.
- He became US citizen spouse story – MJ naturalized Ellis Island 2016.
- He wrote first book as new parent – daughter born early 2021 during pandemic/insurrection reporting.
- He returned to Politico fall 2022 after 7 NYT years – now head of news.
Did You Know Already?
- Son of two educators – principal father + NYU professor mother from Riverdale.
- Fieldston to Harvard 2008 – editor Harvard Political Review.
- Met wife MJ Lee in Politico newsroom – married 2013.
- Two kids Penelope Feb 2021 + Jamie 2023 – not one as old post said planning 2021.
- Book focuses Trump final months + COVID + Jan 6 – May 2022 release.
Social Media Links
- X: @alexburnsNYT
- NYT author: nytimes.com/by/alexander-burns
- Politico: politico.com/staff/alexander-burns
- Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Burns_(journalist)
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Alex Burns?
Alex Burns was born April 3, 1986 in New York City, so he is 40 years old in 2026. Old posts saying 37 are outdated (2023 math). He graduated Harvard 2008 at 22 and joined Politico that year.
How tall is Alex Burns?
Alex Burns is 5 ft 7 in tall (170 cm) with average build, brown hair and brown eyes.
Who is Alex Burns’ wife?
Alex Burns’ wife is Min Jung MJ Lee, CNN White House correspondent born March 5, 1987 Seoul, US citizen 2016. Met at Politico, married 2013, two kids Penelope (2021) and Jamie (2023). Lives Washington DC.
What is Alex Burns famous for?
Alex Burns is famous as NYT national political correspondent 2015–2022 covering Trump elections, CNN analyst, Morning Joe guest, co-author bestseller This Will Not Pass (2022), now Politico head of news / Senior Executive Editor North America.
What is Alex Burns’ salary and net worth in 2026?
Alex Burns salary was reported $82,140 at NYT base, now executive-level higher private. Net worth ~$1M in 2026 from Politico executive pay, NYT/CNN years, book royalties and speaking.
What is Alex Burns doing in 2026?
In 2026 Alex Burns is Politico Senior Executive Editor North America overseeing US-Canada politics/policy, Milken speaker, author, living Washington with MJ and two kids – left NYT fall 2022 after 7 years.
Conclusion
From Riverdale picture-book at six to Harvard Review to Politico garage-band to NYT Trump-era lead to Politico head of news, Alex Burns biography shows educator-kid hustle. Age 40, 5 ft 7 in, married MJ Lee since 2013 with two kids, ~$1M in 2026 – still explaining elections with history. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with Alex Burns fans!
