Melissa Lee Wikipedia | Biography
Melissa Lee is a talented American journalist, reporter, and television anchor who has made a name for herself at CNBC. Since she joined the network back in 2004, she has become one of the most recognizable faces in business news. Not only does she occasionally step in as the host of Closing Bell, but she also currently anchors the popular financial program Fast Money, which airs at 5 p.m. ET.
Before her time at CNBC, Lee gained valuable experience at Bloomberg Television and CNN Financial News, where she honed her skills in business and market reporting. She even kicked off her career as a consultant at Mercer Management Consulting, focusing on projects in the banking and credit card sectors.
In 2009, Lee took on a significant leadership role at CNBC when she became the interim host of Fast Money after Dylan Ratigan left for MSNBC on March 27. Her impressive performance led to her being named the permanent host just a month later. Throughout her career, Lee has also been recognized with two Emmy Award nominations for her outstanding work in business news reporting.
Melissa Lee Early
Lee’s family history stretches back long before she stepped into the journalism spotlight. Her grandfather made the journey from rural China to Buffalo with his wife and kids, setting the stage for their family’s American dream. Later on, her father graduated from Columbia University and moved to Great Neck, where Lee grew up.
As a child, Lee looked up to the iconic New York news anchor Kaity Tong, whose remarkable career and charisma on screen fueled her own ambition to enter the broadcasting world. She kicked off her journalism journey as a reporter for her local paper, the Great Neck Record.
Lee went on to attend Harvard College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1995. While at Harvard, she also took on the role of assistant managing editor for The Harvard Crimson, honing the reporting and leadership skills that would pave the way for her future in media.
Melissa Lee Education
Melissa attended Harvard College, where she graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. During her time there, she also took on the role of Assistant Managing Editor for the Harvard Crimson.
Melissa Lee Age
As of 2026, Melissa is 51 years old. She was born on November 4, 1974, in Great Neck, New York, USA, and she joyfully celebrates her birthday every year on that date.
Melissa Lee Nationality
Melissa holds American nationality and citizenship. Growing up in Great Neck, New York, she has deep roots in the United States. She also identifies with her white heritage.
Melissa Lee Height
Melissa stands at about 5 feet 8 inches tall (approximately 1.72 m), which is considered average for women. However, she hasn’t shared any specifics about her other body measurements with the public.
Melissa Lee Family
Born and raised in Great Neck, New York, Melissa comes from a loving family. Her grandparents immigrated from China to Buffalo, New York, along with their children. Her parents are American citizens, but she has kept details about their identities and whether she has siblings under wraps. Our team is keeping an eye on this information and will update you as soon as we learn more.
Melissa Lee Husband
Lee is happily married to her amazing husband, Benjamin Kallo. They said “I do” on August 18, 2017, and often share little snapshots of their life together. Kallo sometimes pops up on television and works as a senior research analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. The couple has two kids—a daughter and a son.
CNBC
Melissa Lee is a talented American journalist, reporter, and television anchor who has made a name for herself at CNBC. Since she joined the network back in 2004, she has become one of the most recognizable faces in business news. Not only does she occasionally step in as the host of Closing Bell, but she also currently anchors the popular financial program Fast Money, which airs at 5 p.m. ET.
Before her time at CNBC, Lee gained valuable experience at Bloomberg Television and CNN Financial News, where she honed her skills in business and market reporting. She even kicked off her career as a consultant at Mercer Management Consulting, focusing on projects in the banking and credit card sectors.
In 2009, Lee took on a significant leadership role at CNBC when she became the interim host of Fast Money after Dylan Ratigan left for MSNBC on March 27. Her impressive performance led to her being named the permanent host just a month later. Throughout her career, Lee has also been recognized with two Emmy Award nominations for her outstanding work in business news reporting.
Salary
Currently, Melissa Lee is making waves as a journalist, anchor, and correspondent, which means she’s raking in a pretty impressive salary. It’s estimated that she earns around $160,000 a year.
Melissa Lee Net Worth
With her successful career as a journalist, anchor, and correspondent, it’s no surprise that Melissa has built up a nice nest egg over the years. Her estimated net worth stands at about $3 million.