Martha MacCallum is a prominent American television news anchor and political journalist whose career spans over three decades across major financial and political networks. Best known as the anchor and executive editor of The Story with Martha MacCallum on the Fox News Channel, she has established herself as a fixture of cable news coverage, reporting on presidential elections, Supreme Court milestones, and international conflicts.
Her trajectory from business news production to prime-time political anchoring reflects the shifting landscape of broadcast journalism. Understanding her background, professional milestones, and editorial focus offers a clear look at how traditional broadcast training shapes contemporary political commentary.
Early Life and Educational Foundations
Born on January 31, 1964, in Buffalo, New York, MacCallum grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey, where she graduated from Ramapo High School. Her early exposure to the media industry was preceded by a traditional liberal arts education. She attended St. Lawrence University, earning a bachelor's degree in political science.
To build on her on-camera presentation and communication skills, she also trained at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City, an experience that honed her poise and interview delivery. Before moving into full-time reporting, she worked in corporate relations for Dow Jones & Company and as a freelance researcher for Corporate Finance magazine.
Early Career in Business Journalism
MacCallum didn't start out covering presidential politics. Her early career was rooted in financial and corporate journalism during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Wall Street Journal Television (1991–1996): Served as a business news correspondent and anchor. She anchored programs like The Wall Street Journal Report, World Market Outlook, and Business USA.
- WBIS-TV (1996): Worked as an anchor and reporter for a short-lived sports and business station in New York.
- CNBC: Joined the network as an anchor and reporter, contributing to programs such as Business Center—where she created the "Inside the Business" series—and covering homeland security and national defense on the evening show Checkpoint.
This rigorous financial reporting foundation gave her a technical grasp of markets, economic policy, and institutional structures that later informed her political interviews.
Transition to Fox News and Prime-Time Anchoring
MacCallum joined the Fox News Channel in 2004, marking a permanent shift toward general news and political analysis. Over the next two decades, she anchored several signature daytime programs before moving into prime-time slots.
Her early roles at the network included co-hosting The Live Desk from 2006 to 2010 and anchoring America’s Newsroom from 2010 to 2017 alongside various co-anchors. When the network restructured its schedule in January 2017 following the presidential inauguration, she launched The First 100 Days, tracking the opening phase of Donald Trump's administration. That program quickly evolved into her permanent evening broadcast, The Story with Martha MacCallum.
Throughout her tenure, she has interviewed numerous key political figures, including sitting U.S. presidents, cabinet secretaries, and Supreme Court justices. She has also played a central role in moderating political town halls, election night specials, and presidential debates.
Literary Work and Historical Documentation
Beyond daily television broadcasting, MacCallum expanded her journalism into historical non-fiction. In 2020, she published Unknown Valor: A Story of Family, Courage, and Sacrifice from Pearl Harbor to Iwo Jima, written with assistance from military historian Ronald J. Drez.
The book traces the personal letters, diaries, and combat experiences of United States Marines who fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It debuted on The New York Times bestseller list, blending personal genealogy and military history to highlight the human cost of the Pacific campaign.
Awards and Professional Recognition
MacCallum’s reporting has earned several industry honors over her career:
- Gracie Awards: Received the Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Award for Women in Journalism twice (in 1997 and 2003).
- John R. "Tex" McCrary Award: Honored in 2024 by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for excellence in military coverage.
- Commitment to Serve Award: Recognized by SoldierStrong for her dedication to reporting on military veterans and service members.
Personal Life
MacCallum married Daniel John Gregory on August 22, 1992, at St. Elizabeth Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey. The couple has three children: two sons and a daughter. They reside primarily in New Jersey, maintaining a private family life away from the daily demands of cable news production.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Martha MacCallum start working at Fox News?
She joined the Fox News Channel in 2004, initially serving as a correspondent and anchor for daytime programming before taking on afternoon and evening slots.
What is the name of her television show?
She anchors and serves as the executive editor for The Story with Martha MacCallum, which airs weekday evenings.
Did Martha MacCallum write a book?
Yes, she published Unknown Valor in 2020, focusing on the experiences of U.S. Marines during World War II. The book became a New York Times bestseller.
Where did she go to college?
She studied political science at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and later trained at the Circle in the Square Theatre School.
