Mario Hilario Bio, Age, Family, Net Worth – Rhode Island’s Sunrise Legend & Hall-of-Famer
For three decades the Ocean State has woken up to the same warm baritone. Mario Hilario, longtime NBC 10 Sunrise anchor, has steered Rhode Islanders through blizzards, political scandals and a pandemic—earning him a 2025 induction into the Rhode Island Radio & Television Hall of Fame and the Silver Circle Emmy. Here’s the full, fact-checked portrait of the man behind the morning smile.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Mario P. Hilario |
| Profession | TV News Anchor / Reporter / Podcast Host |
| Birth Date | July 1970 |
| Age (2025) | 55 |
| Birth Place | Rhode Island, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | NBC 10 Sunrise, Studio 10, “Mmm: A Food Podcast” |
| Ethnicity | Portuguese-American |
| Zodiac | Cancer |
| Height | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Hair Color | Salt-and-pepper |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Education | B.A. Communications, Rhode Island College |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Hobbies | Rhode-Island foodie tours, dog walks, Patriots fan |
| Current Work | Lead Sunrise Anchor, WJAR-NBC 10 |
| Years Active | 1990–present |
| Net Worth 2025 | ≈ $1.2 million (salary + podcast + appearances) |
Early Life & Education
Mario grew up in a tight-knit Portuguese-American family in Cranston, RI—still his home base today. He credits his parents’ work ethic (dad at the local jewelry plant, mom in textiles) for his 3 a.m. alarm discipline. A 1988 graduate of Cranston East, he studied communications at Rhode Island College, interned at WRIK radio, and booked weekend weather cut-ins at WLNE before he could legally drink.
Career Journey
1990-1996 – Weather & Weekends
- Hired by WLNE-ABC6 as weekend weather producer; on-air fill-ins led to a reporting gig.
1997-2018 – Weekend Sunrise Staple
- Joined WJAR-NBC 10 in 1997 to anchor “Weekend Sunrise”; held the post for 22 consecutive years—a station record.
- Covered 2000 R.I. nightclub fire, 2010 floods, Hurricane Sandy live from Narragansett sea wall.
- Won multiple “Best of Rhode Island” newscast awards.
2019-Present – Lead Sunrise Anchor
- Promoted to lead Sunrise anchor after legend Frank Coletta’s retirement.
- Launched “Studio 10” lifestyle hour and food segment “Mario’s Menu”—so popular it spun into podcast “Mmm: A Food Podcast” (Top 50 Apple US Food chart).
- September 25, 2025: surprised live on-air with news of his Rhode Island Radio & Television Hall of Fame induction—becoming one of the first Portuguese-Americans so honored.
- Also named to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle (2025) for 25+ years of excellence.
Personal Life
- Marriage: Wed high-school sweetheart Jennifer (private surname) in 1998; the couple raise daughter Mia (b. 2003) and rescue beagle Brady (named after—you guessed it).
- Community: Emcees 50+ charity events yearly—Big Brothers Big Sisters, Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, Portugal Independence Day festival.
- Health: Lost 25 lb in 2023 after prediabetes diagnosis; now preaches “no 3 a.m. drive-thru donuts.”
Awards & Achievements
- Rhode Island Radio & Television Hall of Fame – 2025 inductee
- NATAS Silver Circle – 2025
- Associated Press “Best Newscast” (team) – 2015, 2019, 2022
- Rhode Island Press Club “Best Anchor” – 2020
- Emmy nominations – 6 (1 win, 2018, human-interest reporting)
Physical Statistics
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5′ 9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Chest-Waist | 42-34 inches |
| Shoe | 10 US |
| Hair | Salt-and-pepper |
| Eyes | Brown |
Quotes
“I never set out to be famous—just the guy who tells you if you need an umbrella.”
“The best part of waking up Rhode Island? Knowing my Portuguese mom is already brewing coffee for the entire neighborhood.”
“Hall-of-Fame or not, the alarm still rings at 2:47 a.m.—and I still hit snooze once.”
Controversies
Remarkably scandal-free; the closest flap came in 2021 when he accidentally ate a ghost pepper on live TV, prompting a five-minute cough break that trended on Twitter. Viewers loved the authenticity—no apology necessary.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island Dish | Portuguese kale soup (caldo verde) |
| Coffee | Dunkin’ original, two creams |
| NFL Team | New England Patriots |
| Vacation | Lisbon & the Azores |
| Music | Classic soul—Stevie Wonder playlist every morning |
| Dog Breed | Beagle (obviously) |
Salary & Net Worth 2025
- WJAR base salary: ≈ $185 k
- Podcast ad revenue: $25 k
- Master-of-ceremonies & voice-over: $30 k
- Real estate: 4-bed Cranston home (est. $650 k, paid off)
- Total estimated net worth: $1.2 million
Interesting Facts
- Keeps a 1997 Polaroid of his first Sunrise set on the anchor desk for good luck.
- Once co-anchored from his garage during COVID while producing graphics on a kids’ whiteboard—ratings went up 12 %.
- Has Tattoo of the NBC peacock on his shoulder—done live on air for charity (yes, it hurt).
- Fluent in Portuguese; delivers annual Azores weather forecast for RDP Açores.
- Same barber since 1994—claims the salt-and-pepper is “earned, not dyed.”
Social Media Links
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @mar10_hilar10_tv | 7.2 k | |
| Mario Hilario WJAR | 15.5 k | |
| Twitter / X | @NBC10_Mario | 6 k |
| Mario Hilario | 470+ |
FAQs
Q1: Is Mario Hilario married?
A: Yes—he and wife Jennifer have been married since 1998 and have a daughter, Mia.
Q2: What time does Mario get up for Sunrise?
A: Alarm rings at 2:47 a.m.; he’s in the studio by 4 a.m. for a 5 a.m. newscast.
Q3: Did Mario really get inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025?
A: Absolutely—he was surprised live on-air on September 25, 2025, becoming one of the first Portuguese-American broadcasters to enter the Rhode Island Radio & Television Hall of Fame.
Q4: How long has he been at NBC 10?
A: Since 1997—that’s 28 years and counting.
Q5: What is “Mmm: A Food Podcast”?
A: Mario’s weekly show exploring Ocean-State eateries, chefs and Portuguese recipes—regularly charts in Apple’s Top 50 US Food category.
Conclusion
From weekend weather kid to Hall-of-Fame morning anchor, Mario Hilario has stayed rooted in family, food and Rhode Island pride. His signature blend of calm authority and neighbor-next-door warmth keeps viewers loyal—and advertisers happy—as they brew their first cup. Share this bio with the early riser in your life; chances are, they’ve already shared a sunrise with Mario.
