Mika Brzezinski is an American talk show host who co-hosts MSNBC’s Morning Joe alongside her husband Joe Scarborough. She’s also the founder of Know Your Value, a movement that empowers women in the workplace, and has written several bestselling books about women’s career advancement and wage equality.
Early Life and Family Background
Born on May 2, 1967, in New York City, Mika is the daughter of diplomat and political scientist Zbigniew Brzezinski, who served as National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter. Growing up in a household where world affairs were constantly discussed shaped her worldview from an early age.
Her mother, of Czech descent, is a grandniece of Czechoslovakia’s former president Edvard Beneš. This heritage connected Mika to a family with a long history of public service and political influence.
The family moved to McLean, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., in late 1976, when Zbigniew was named National Security Advisor by newly elected President Jimmy Carter. Her siblings also pursued distinguished careers in public service, with her brother Mark serving as U.S. Ambassador to Poland and Sweden.
Education and College Journey
Brzezinski attended the Madeira School before attending Georgetown University for two years, then transferring to Williams College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1989.
Her path to Williams College wasn’t straightforward. Brzezinski was waitlisted, and spent the summer working in Williamstown and would stop by at then-President Francis Oakley’s house during her runs, asking to be let in. She didn’t get off the waitlist until September.
At Williams College, Brzezinski majored in English and ran on the track team under Coach Larry Bell. During her time there, she also interned at nearby TV stations and hosted her own cable show in North Adams called Hidden Issues, which focused on teenage pregnancy rates.
Career Path and Major Milestones
Early Journalism Career
Brzezinski began her journalism career as an assistant at ABC’s World News This Morning in 1990. From there, she steadily climbed the ranks in broadcast journalism.
She moved to Tribune-owned Fox affiliate WTIC-TV in Hartford, Connecticut, where she progressed from assignment and features editor to general assignments reporter. The Hartford market proved to be a training ground where she could develop her skills.
In 1992, she joined CBS affiliate WFSB-TV in Hartford and quickly progressed through the ranks to become its weekday morning anchor in 1995.
CBS News and September 11
In 1997, she left that role to join CBS News, where she served as a correspondent and as anchor for the overnight Up to the Minute news program.
She returned to CBS News as a desk correspondent in September 2001, a move that thrust her into the limelight as a principal “Ground Zero” reporter for the September 11, 2001, attacks. She was broadcasting live from the scene as the south tower collapsed.
Career Setback and Recovery
In 2006, at 39, Brzezinski was fired from CBS and pivoted to freelance work at MSNBC. This major setback turned into an opportunity that would define her career.
Brzezinski shared how she turned the setback of her termination from CBS into an opportunity, leading her to co-host Morning Joe. “Eighteen years later, I’m still here. Setbacks are actually a new path to success”.
Morning Joe Success
In 2007, she joined MSNBC as an occasional anchor, and was subsequently chosen as co-host of Morning Joe. Brzezinski joined Morning Joe as a co-host in April 2007 and has been with the program ever since.
| Career Milestone | Year | Network |
|---|---|---|
| ABC World News This Morning | 1990 | ABC |
| WTIC-TV Hartford | 1991 | Fox Affiliate |
| WFSB-TV Morning Anchor | 1995 | CBS Affiliate |
| CBS News Correspondent | 1997 | CBS |
| Ground Zero Reporter | 2001 | CBS |
| Morning Joe Co-Host | 2007-Present | MSNBC |
The Paris Hilton Moment
One of Brzezinski’s most memorable on-air protests occurred in 2007. Near the beginning of Morning Joe, Brzezinski refused to read a report about Paris Hilton’s release from jail, considering Indiana Senator Richard Lugar’s break with President Bush on the Iraq War more important.
After several sarcastic remarks from host Scarborough, she attempted to set the story’s script on fire on the air, but was physically prevented from doing so. She then tore up the script, and one hour later, ran another copy of the script through a paper shredder. This incident went viral and earned her widespread support for taking a stand on journalistic priorities.
Know Your Value Movement
The Origin Story
Prompted by her own experiences with pay inequality at MSNBC, Brzezinski founded Know Your Value in 2014. Her second book, Knowing Your Value, which examines the role of women in the workplace, reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list for business books in 2011.
The movement grew from a personal discovery about her own compensation. While she was co-hosting Morning Joe, she discovered significant pay disparities compared to her male co-host.
What Know Your Value Offers
Know Your Value is an empowered community helping women to grow their career, form healthy habits and reach their full potential. The platform includes:
- Nationwide conferences and events
- Digital content and resources
- Interviews with successful women leaders
- Practical career advice and tools
- A supportive community for professional women
The movement features conversations with top executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders across various industries who share their experiences navigating workplace challenges.
Published Books
Brzezinski has written multiple bestselling books throughout her career:
| Book Title | Year | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| All Things at Once | 2010 | Memoir about balancing career and family |
| Knowing Your Value | 2011 | Women’s workplace compensation and negotiation |
| Obsessed | 2013 | Food addiction and body image |
| Grow Your Value | 2015 | Self-fulfillment and career growth |
| Comeback Careers | 2019 | Career reinvention for women over 40 |
| Earn It! | 2019 | Career guide for millennials and Gen Z |
Her memoir All Things At Once became a New York Times best seller in January 2010. Her third book, Obsessed: America’s Food Addiction and My Own, debuted on the bestseller list in spring of 2013.
Personal Life
Brzezinski is married to her Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough, whom she married on November 24, 2018. The couple had worked together for over a decade before their relationship became public.
She has two daughters from her previous marriage and has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing a high-profile career with motherhood.
Awards and Recognition
Mika, along with Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough, was inducted into the Cable News Hall of Fame in 2016. Brzezinski is a visiting fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics.
In 2018, Mika was awarded with the New York Women in Communications’ Matrix Award.
Political Views and Advocacy
Her main political interest is in wage equality for women. She has consistently used her platform to advocate for women’s rights in the workplace and has spoken out on issues of gender discrimination.
During the Trump presidency, Brzezinski had several public confrontations with the president. In late June 2017, Brzezinski was the target of Trump’s tweets in which he called her “low I.Q. Crazy Mika” and asserted that she was “bleeding badly from a face-lift”.
Speaking and Public Appearances
As a speaker, Brzezinski brings a powerhouse combination of journalistic integrity, leadership insights, and empowering advocacy. She speaks at conferences and corporate events about women’s equality, work-life integration, and career development.
Her speaking topics include:
- Women’s empowerment and wage equality
- Career reinvention at any age
- Navigating workplace challenges
- Current political and media landscape
- Leadership and professional growth
Media Appearances Beyond News
Brzezinski has made appearances in entertainment media as well. She appeared in films including The Campaign (2012), Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), and Irresistible (2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mika Brzezinski’s educational background?
Mika graduated from Williams College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She initially attended Georgetown University for two years before transferring to Williams.
How did Mika Brzezinski meet Joe Scarborough?
They began working together in 2007 when Mika joined Morning Joe as co-host. Their professional partnership eventually developed into a romantic relationship, and they married in November 2018.
What inspired Mika Brzezinski to start Know Your Value?
Her own experience discovering significant pay disparities at MSNBC inspired her to research why women struggle with compensation negotiation. This led to her book Knowing Your Value and eventually the nationwide movement.
How many books has Mika Brzezinski written?
She’s written six books, covering topics from her personal memoir to women’s workplace issues, food addiction, and career development for different age groups.
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