Carley Shimkus Bio 2026: Age, Height, Husband, Career, Fox & Friends First, Cooking with Friends & Facts

Carley Shimkus is one of the most recognizable faces on American morning television, a Fox News personality who has climbed from a “Green Room Greeter” picking up guests to co-hosting the network’s first live weekday program. At 39, she anchors FOX & Friends First at 5 a.m., delivers news updates on the flagship FOX & Friends, and has expanded her brand into cookbook authorship with Cooking with Friends. Married to a Princeton-educated finance professional and raising a toddler son in New York City, Shimkus balances the demands of national television with a long-distance marriage and new motherhood—a juggling act she navigates with the same poise she brings to the anchor desk.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Carley Shimkus was born on November 7, 1986, in Long Valley, New Jersey, to Edward and Zulma Shimkus. She and her sister Margot were raised in a supportive household where her interest in broadcast journalism and politics was sparked by watching the news every day.

She attended West Morris Central High School in New Jersey, graduating with the Class of 2005. Her high school journalism advisor, Mr. Evans, made a lasting impression and recommended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut—a suggestion that would prove pivotal. At Quinnipiac, she majored in Broadcast Journalism and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a junior, she secured an internship at Fox News in Washington, D.C., completely unaware it would become the foot in the door for her entire career.

Shimkus has often emphasized the value of internships, noting that “the internships that you choose can be the foot in the door for your future career.” She also did service trips with her church during college, reflecting her deep interest in community service.

Career Journey

From Greeter to On-Air: Early Fox News Years (2009–2016)

Almost immediately after graduating in 2009, Shimkus reached out to Fox News Human Resources and landed a job as a “Green Room Greeter” at Fox Business Network (FBN)—a role that involved picking up guests and directing them to their designated green rooms. She eagerly accepted the position and soon found herself working alongside the legendary Don Imus on his long-running morning show, Imus in the Morning. Imus, recognizing her ambition to be on camera, presented her with some of her first on-air opportunities. The network quickly became comfortable with her becoming an on-air personality.

She was later promoted to associate producer on FBN and continued building her on-air presence. During this period, she also had a brief stint as a model in high school—at 5’10”, she tried modeling and even booked a gig promoting a Halloween costume for Party City, though she ultimately decided it “was a fun experience but not in the cards for me.”

Fox News Headlines 24/7 and National Exposure (2016–2021)

Shimkus served as a reporter for Fox News Headlines 24/7, covering social media trends, entertainment news, and consumer business stories across the network’s programming. She appeared regularly on FOX & Friends and Mediabuzz, and served as a substitute anchor on FNC and co-host for Fox Nation. She also co-hosted network specials, including the Countdown to All-American New Year alongside Griff Jenkins in 2018.

FOX & Friends First and Stardom (2021–present)

In October 2021, Shimkus became the lead co-host of FOX & Friends First, the network’s 5 a.m. weekday program that kicks off Fox News Channel’s live programming day. Alongside co-host Todd Piro, she delivers the first news of the day to early-rising Americans. She also provides news updates on the signature morning show FOX & Friends (weekdays, 6–9 a.m. ET), reporting on social media trends, entertainment news, and consumer business stories.

Since taking the helm, she has noticed an evolution in both the program and herself as a journalist. “I find that I am still learning something new everyday,” she has said. “Just because of the way the news is now, all of us at Fox have become so much more driven by the news cycle itself and are developing the unique skill of being able to cover more breaking news than ever before.”

Cooking with Friends (2023)

In October 2023, Shimkus published her first book, Cooking with Friends, a cookbook featuring over 75 recipes from the Fox family. The collection includes budget-friendly mains, easy-to-make appetizers, and indulgent desserts, reflecting her passion for cooking and entertaining. The book expanded her brand beyond news into lifestyle and food media.

Career Stats

Television Roles:

• Fox Business Network (2009–2012) — Green Room Greeter, Associate Producer, Imus in the Morning
• Fox News Headlines 24/7 (2016–2021) — Reporter
• Fox Nation — Co-host
• FOX & Friends First (2021–present) — Co-host (weekdays, 5 a.m. ET)
• FOX & Friends (2021–present) — Newsreader, contributor
• Various specials — Countdown to All-American New Year (2018), substitute anchor roles

Publishing:

• Cooking with Friends (October 2023) — Author

Personal Life

Marriage to Peter Buchignani

Carley Shimkus is married to Peter Buchignani, a securitized products sales professional. The couple’s love story began in 2003 when they first met, though they did not start dating until 2013. Their official meeting story has a charming detail: it was Carley’s 23rd birthday, she was out with friends, and Peter “came and saved the day” from a roommate who was “kind of a jerk.” Sparks flew, and a romance began.

After several years of long-distance dating, they tied the knot on August 8, 2015, in a wedding ceremony at Shimkus’s New Jersey home. The couple are diehard college football fans—Peter played football at Princeton University, earning an All-Ivy honorable mention, while Carley attended Quinnipiac. But the University of Michigan rules their household. “My husband is a diehard fan,” she has said. “We walked out to the Michigan fight song on our wedding day at his request!” They almost chose the Game of Thrones theme instead.

Long-Distance Marriage

The couple has maintained a long-distance marriage throughout their relationship. Peter works at Amherst Pierpont Securities in Chicago, while Carley’s career is anchored in New York. “Our whole marriage has been between New York and Chicago. We’re both very career-minded people right now, and because my career is here and his is there, we make it work,” she explained in 2020. They typically reunite every Friday, with Peter doing the majority of the traveling to New York, and fly back to their respective cities on Sundays. “It’s always exciting to see each other,” she has said.

Motherhood: Son Brock

In February 2023, Carley and Peter welcomed their first child, a son named Brock. She announced the news on Instagram with a heartfelt post: “Welcome to the world sweet Brock. You have unlocked a place in our hearts we didn’t even know we had. Your dad and I love you so much!”

Finding work-life balance as a new mom with unconventional hours has been challenging but rewarding. “More than anything, I wanted to be a present mom while maintaining a rigorous work schedule,” she told First Time Parent Magazine. She returned to FOX & Friends First in June 2023, describing it as feeling like “the first day of school.” The family had Brock baptized in August 2023, and they enjoy outdoor activities together, including trips to Tennessee to visit family and apple picking at Hacklebarney Farm in October 2024.

Hobbies and Interests

Shimkus is passionate about cooking—evidenced by her cookbook—and college football. She enjoys traveling with her family and has become adept at packing the perfect diaper bag: “I have water wipes, Vaseline, diapers, baby hand sanitizing wipes, a changing pad, washcloth, sunglasses, three lip glosses, and gum in mine!” she has joked.

Controversies

Carley Shimkus has maintained a clean, controversy-free public profile throughout her career. She has navigated the politically charged environment of Fox News with professionalism, focusing on social media trends, entertainment, and consumer news rather than partisan commentary. There are no known legal issues, scandals, or professional disputes associated with her name.

Awards & Achievements

• 17 Years at Fox News — One of the network’s longest-tenured on-air personalities
• Lead Co-Host, FOX & Friends First — Since October 2021
• Author, Cooking with Friends — Published October 2023
• National Television Presence — Regular contributor to FOX & Friends, Gutfeld!, Hannity, Outnumbered, and America’s Newsroom
• High School Recognition — Featured in West Morris Central High School alumni spotlight (2025)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“College is an invaluable experience if you select the right internship. The internships that you choose can be the foot in the door for your future career.”
— On the importance of internships in launching her broadcasting career.

“I find that I am still learning something new everyday, as is anyone who works in anything I believe. Just because of the way the news is now, all of us at Fox have become so much more driven by the news cycle itself.”
— On evolving as a journalist in the modern news environment.

“Welcome to the world sweet Brock. You have unlocked a place in our hearts we didn’t even know we had.”
— Instagram announcement of her son’s birth, February 2023.

Favorites

Earnings

Carley Shimkus’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million as of 2026. Her income sources include:

• Fox News salary: Estimates vary widely. Some sources place her annual salary at approximately $80,287 based on ZipRecruiter data, while others estimate $250,000 to $300,000 annually as co-host of FOX & Friends First. The higher range is more consistent with senior on-air talent at major cable networks.
• Book royalties: Cooking with Friends (2023)
• Speaking engagements and appearances: Corporate events, media appearances
• Potential brand partnerships: Given her cookbook and lifestyle presence

Her 17-year tenure at Fox News and expanded role as a lead morning host suggest she commands compensation at the upper end of cable news anchor pay scales.

Interesting Facts

• Modeling Past: At 5’10”, she tried modeling in high school and booked a Halloween costume gig for Party City before deciding journalism was her true calling.
• Green Room Beginnings: Her first job at Fox was literally greeting guests and showing them to their green rooms—now she greets millions of Americans every morning.
• Don Imus Connection: The legendary radio host gave her some of her first on-air opportunities, recognizing her camera presence early.
• Long-Distance Love: She and Peter have maintained a bicoastal marriage for nearly a decade, with him based in Chicago and her in New York.
• Princeton Football Wife: Her husband played defensive end at Princeton and earned All-Ivy honorable mention.
• Diaper Bag Expert: She has become a self-proclaimed expert at packing the perfect diaper bag for NYC life with a toddler.

Did You Know Already?

• Did you know Carley Shimkus started at Fox News as a “Green Room Greeter” making sure guests found their way to the right rooms?
• Did you know she and her husband walked down the aisle to the University of Michigan fight song?
• Did you know she published a cookbook, Cooking with Friends, in October 2023?
• Did you know she was a high school classmate of future Fox News star?
• Did you know her long-distance marriage between New York and Chicago has lasted nearly 10 years?

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @carleyshimkus
• X/Twitter: @CarleyShimkus
• Facebook: (Not publicly confirmed as of 2026)
• Fox News Profile: Fox News Personalities
• IMDb: Carley Shimkus

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Carley Shimkus?
Carley Shimkus was born on November 7, 1986, making her 39 years old as of 2026.

How tall is Carley Shimkus?
She is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.

Is Carley Shimkus married?
Yes, she has been married to Peter Buchignani since August 8, 2015. They have one son, Brock, born in February 2023.

What is Carley Shimkus’s salary?
Her estimated salary ranges from $80,000 to $300,000+ annually, depending on the source. Senior Fox News hosts typically earn at the higher end of this range.

What is Carley Shimkus’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million as of 2026.

Where did Carley Shimkus go to college?
She graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism.

Does Carley Shimkus have a cookbook?
Yes, she authored Cooking with Friends, published in October 2023, featuring over 75 recipes from the Fox family.

How long has Carley Shimkus been at Fox News?
She joined Fox News in 2009 and has been with the network for 17 years as of 2026.

Conclusion

Carley Shimkus’s journey from a Quinnipiac intern to the co-host of Fox News’s first live morning show is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and genuine on-camera talent. Over 17 years, she has evolved from a green room greeter to a national television personality, cookbook author, and working mom navigating a long-distance marriage with grace. As she continues to wake up America on FOX & Friends First and raise her son Brock in New York City, Shimkus represents a new generation of broadcast journalists who blend hard news credibility with lifestyle authenticity.

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