Richard Engel is a well-known American journalist and seasoned author, currently holding the position of Chief Foreign Correspondent for NBC News. He joined the network back in May 2003, initially taking on the role of Beirut Bureau Chief and Middle East Correspondent. Before that, he worked as a freelance journalist for ABC News in Baghdad. He was on the ground reporting at the onset of the Iraq War in 2003. Engel has gained recognition for his coverage of significant events like the Arab Spring, the Syrian Civil War, and the Iraq War.
Age
Richard is 52 years old as of 2026. He was born on September 16, 1973, in New York City, USA. Every year, he celebrates his birthday on the 16th of September.
Richard Engel Education
Richard Engel attended the Riverdale Country School in New York. However, he faced challenges with his schoolwork due to a dyslexia diagnosis. At the age of 13, he also participated in a wilderness survival camp, where he learned about leadership and independence. Eventually, he went on to graduate from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations.
Richard Engel Nationality
Richard Engel is an American citizen, having been born and raised in New York City, USA. He is of white heritage.
Richard Engel Height
Richard Engel stands at about 5 feet 7 inches tall (approximately 1.7 m), which is considered above average for a man. However, he hasn’t shared any specifics about his other body measurements publicly.
Richard Engel Salary
Engel’s salary, NBC News hasn’t publicly shared the exact figure. But considering he’s the chief foreign correspondent—a prominent and senior position—his earnings are likely quite substantial, especially with additional income from book deals, speaking engagements, and media appearances.
Richard Engel Net Worth
Richard Engel’s net worth, estimates vary quite a bit. Some sources suggest it falls between $6 million and $9 million, reflecting his extensive career in international reporting, television, and publishing.
Career | NBC News
Richard Engel is a well-known American journalist and author, who has been the chief foreign correspondent for NBC News since April 18, 2008. Before taking on this role, he served as the network’s Middle East correspondent and Beirut bureau chief. Engel’s journey in journalism began independently in Baghdad for ABC News during the early days of the Iraq War, prior to joining NBC in 2003.
He’s gained a reputation for his courageous frontline reporting on significant global conflicts, such as the Iraq War, the Arab Spring, and the Syrian Civil War. With fluency in Arabic, Italian, and Spanish, Engel is celebrated for his immersive, on-the-ground storytelling. His remarkable work has earned him the prestigious Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism, particularly for his impactful “War Zone Diary” reports.
In addition to his journalism, Engel is a talented author. He penned A Fist in the Hornet’s Nest (2004), which details his experiences reporting from Baghdad, and And Then All Hell Broke Loose (2016), reflecting on his two decades of covering the Middle East.
After graduating from Stanford University, Engel moved to Cairo, believing the region would become a focal point for global news. He dedicated several years to learning Egyptian Arabic and working as a freelance reporter. From 2001 to 2003, he was the Middle East correspondent for The World, a program produced by the BBC World Service, Public Radio International, and WGBH, while also contributing to various outlets like USA Today, Reuters, AFP, and Jane’s Defence Weekly.
In 2006, Engel stepped up as NBC’s senior Middle East correspondent and Beirut bureau chief, where he extensively covered the 2006 Lebanon War. Just two years later, he was promoted to chief foreign correspondent. His assignments have taken him all over the world—from covering elections in Afghanistan to navigating tear gas during Egypt’s 2011 revolution, and even dodging gunfire while reporting on the Libyan Civil War in Benghazi. He also reported from Mogadishu in a segment called The World’s Most Dangerous City, which earned him an Emmy nomination.
His assignments have taken him around the world—from covering elections in Afghanistan to reporting on the Egyptian revolution while navigating tear gas, and from the Libyan Civil War, where he narrowly escaped gunfire, to Somalia, where his reporting on Mogadishu earned him an Emmy nomination.
He has also covered conflicts like the Israel-Gaza clashes and the ongoing war in Syria. Beyond his daily reporting, Engel hosts the MSNBC documentary series On Assignment with Richard Engel, which won a Peabody Award in 2019. His recent work includes the documentary Ukraine: Freedom or Death (2022), which highlights the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Richard Engel Wife | Children
Richard Engel is happily married to his amazing wife, Mary Forrest. They tied the knot in 2015 and have since embraced the joys of parenthood with their two children. Their first son, Theodore, was born in 2015, and then came Henry Thomas, who joined the family in August 2019.
Unfortunately, Henry passed away in 2022. Before Mary, Richard was married to a fellow Stanford student, but they parted ways in 2005. It’s heartbreaking to note that Henry faced a challenging battle with Rett Syndrome, yet he managed to connect with the world around him through touch, sound, and sight.
Richard Engel Son
Richard Engel is a proud father of two sons with his wife, Mary Forrest. Tragically, their eldest son, Henry, lost his life in 2022 at the tender age of six after a courageous fight against Rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological disorder. Their younger son, Theodore, was born in 2019. Engel has been very open about Henry’s struggles, using his voice to shine a light on this condition and raise awareness.
Is Richard Engel OK?
As of the latest reliable updates, Richard Engel, who serves as NBC News’ chief foreign correspondent, is alive and actively pursuing his journalism career. There haven’t been any confirmed reports from major news outlets suggesting that he is seriously injured or in critical condition.
Unverified rumors circulating online about a potential injury while he was reporting in Israel.
His extensive history of covering dangerous conflict zones, which understandably raises alarms whenever he makes headlines.
At this point, those injury claims remain unverified by credible sources, so it’s wise to approach them with caution.