Lawrence O’Donnell is a renowned political commentator, television host, and writer. He is best known for his show The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC.
He has been widely regarded as a powerful voice in the realm of political debate and has also become wealthy in the process. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at his net worth estimate, salary, career, and personal life, as well as real estate investments.
Table of Contents
What Is Lawrence O’Donnell’s Net Worth and Salary?
As of 2025, Lawrence O’Donnell’s estimated net worth is around $16 million. His fortune mainly comes from his work in television, book sales and his former occupation as a political adviser and screenwriter.
MSNBC Salary
Lawrence O’Donnell is one of the leading faces on MSNBC, and his salary suggests his stature in the network. He makes an annual salary of $4 million as per his contract with the network along with other bonuses and incentivizations. He is regarded as being amongst the highest-paid political commentators on television.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Francis O’Donnell Jr. |
| Date of Birth | November 7, 1951 |
| Age | 73 (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Harvard University (B.A. in Economics) |
| Occupation | Political Commentator, TV Host, Writer, Producer |
| Years Active | 1983–present |
| Notable Works | The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, The West Wing |
| Employer | MSNBC |
| Net Worth | $16 million (estimated) |
| Salary | $4 million per year (MSNBC) |
| Political Affiliation | Democratic |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Kathryn Harrold (m. 1994–2013) |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Residence | New York City, U.S. |
| Notable Awards | Emmy Award (as a producer for The West Wing) |
| Books Written | Deadly Force (1983) |
| Philanthropy | K.I.N.D. Fund (Kids in Need of Desks), Human Rights Campaign |
| Known For | Sharp political analysis, liberal views, TV commentary |
| Controversies | Viral off-air rant (2017), Feuds with conservative commentators |
| Social Media | Twitter: @Lawrence |
Early Life
Lawrence Francis O’Donnell Jr. was born on November 7, 1951, in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in an Irish Catholic family and went to the prestigious St. Sebastian’s School. He was good in academics as well as athletics during his school days. In 1976, he graduated with honors from Harvard College, majoring in economics. While at Harvard, he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and majored in economics.
Career
Political and Writing Career
Before he came to television, O’Donnell was a legislative aide and then the senior advisor to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, which is why he understands government so well.
The TV Journalism
O’Donnell began his career in the entertainment industry as a writer and producer on the television drama The West Wing, which aired between 1999 and 2006. O’Donnell’s work on that show, along with his extensive knowledge of politics, resulted in him becoming a political commentator on several news networks. O’Donnell soon landed a job as host of his very own news program called The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell which premiered on MSNBC in late 2010.
Activism
Lawrence O’Donnell is not only a media personality but also an activist. He actively participates in and supports numerous charity works, which include:
- The K.I.N.D. Fund (Kids in Need of Desks)—an initiative to provide desks for children in Malawi.
- Human Rights Campaign—Advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
- I am a passionate advocate for stricter gun control in America.
Controversy
O’Donnell, like many other politically speaking television personalities, has not been without some controversy.
- In 2017, he was heard in an off-air rant that went viral.
- He has publicly feuded with conservative figures like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity.
- His analysis of former President Donald Trump prompted lawful dangers from Trump’s group.
In spite of these contentions, O’Donnell keeps on being a regarded figure in political media.
Personal Life
O’Donnell was previously married to Kathryn Harrold, an actress and counselor. They have a daughter together. But later the couple got divorced. Currently, O’Donnell is rumored to be in a relationship but keeps his personal life private.
Real Estate and Assets
Lawrence O’Donnell has multiple properties, including:
- An apartment in New York City, where he lives most of the time.
- A house in Los Angeles, which shows his years working there as a producer.
- Investments in real estate properties, which add to his net worth.
FAQs
1. What are Lawrence O’Donnell’s total assets?
Lawrence O’Donnell’s total assets is assessed to be $16 million.
2. What amount does Lawrence O’Donnell make each year?
He procures around $4 million every year from MSNBC, barring rewards and supports.
3. What show does Lawrence O’Donnell have?
He has “The Final Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” on MSNBC.
