Melissa Lee CNBC, Height, Age, Wikipedia, Husband, Salary and Net Worth
Melissa Lee Wikipedia
Melissa Lee is a seasoned American journalist and news anchor, currently serving as a correspondent and anchor for CNBC. She has been a familiar face on the network since 2009, frequently hosting Closing Bell in the absence of the primary anchor and is one of four co-hosts of the daytime show Power Lunch. Known for her incisive reporting and deep understanding of financial markets, Lee has earned two Emmy Award nominations for Business News. Prior to her tenure at CNBC, she worked with Bloomberg Television and CNN Financial News.
Melissa Lee | Age and Birthday
She is 50 years old as of 2025. She was born on November 4, 1974, in Great Neck, New York, and celebrates her birthday each year on November 4.
Education | High School and College
She attended Harvard College, where she graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government. During her time there, she also served as the Assistant Managing Editor of the Harvard Crimson, the university’s student newspaper.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Melissa Lee is of American nationality. She was born and raised in Great Neck, New York, and is of Asian-American heritage, with family roots tracing back to China.
Height and Body Measurements
Melissa Lee stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall (about 1.72 meters). While she has not publicly shared details of her other body measurements, she presents a professional and polished on-screen appearance.
Family Background | Parents and Early Life
Melissa Lee’s family history is rooted in resilience and immigration. Her grandparents emigrated from rural China to Buffalo, New York, while her parents were American-born citizens. She was raised in Great Neck, New York, though she has chosen to keep personal details about her parents and potential siblings private.
Is Melissa Lee Married? | Husband & Wedding
Yes, Melissa Lee is married to Benjamin Kallo, a senior research analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. The couple tied the knot on August 18, 2017. Though Benjamin occasionally appears on television, he primarily works behind the scenes in finance. Together, they have two children, a son and a daughter, though their names have not been publicly disclosed.
Melissa Lee at CNBC
Melissa Lee is the host of CNBC’s “Fast Money”, which airs Monday through Thursday from Nasdaq’s MarketSite studio in New York’s Times Square. The show offers insider-level insights usually confined to Wall Street trading floors, helping viewers make informed financial decisions.
She also anchors “Options Action”, a 30-minute weekly show airing on Fridays, focused on how to leverage the options market. In addition, she is part of the ensemble on CNBC’s “Power Lunch”.
Previously, Melissa co-anchored “Squawk on the Street” and hosted “Money in Motion Currency Trading.” Her reporting has covered everything from investment banking and private equity to hedge funds. Prior to joining CNBC, Lee sharpened her financial reporting skills at Bloomberg Television and CNN Financial News.
Melissa Lee and Ben Kallo
Melissa Lee is a prominent American journalist and news anchor for CNBC. She has been with the network since 2004 and is known for hosting programs like Fast Money and Options Action .
In August 2017, Melissa Lee married Ben Kallo, a senior research analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. . The couple welcomed twins—a son and a daughter—in late 2019. Melissa returned to her hosting duties on CNBC’s Fast Money in early 2020 after her maternity leave .
Ben Kallo is recognized for his expertise in financial analysis, particularly in the energy and technology sectors. He has made appearances on CNBC, providing insights on various stocks and market trends
Melissa Lee Gatlin
Melissa Lee Gatlin is best known as the first wife of actor and filmmaker Billy Bob Thornton. The couple married in 1978 and divorced in 1980. During their brief marriage, they had a daughter named Amanda Brumfield, born in 1979 .
Gatlin has maintained a private life, with limited public information available about her personal and professional endeavors. Her daughter, Amanda, faced legal issues in 2008 and was convicted in 2011 for the death of her friend’s one-year-old daughter. Amanda was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was released in 2020 after serving eight years .
Salary
Melissa Lee earns a respectable income from her role at CNBC. As of 2025, her estimated annual salary is around $190,000.
Net Worth
Over the course of her career in financial journalism, Melissa Lee has built a strong reputation and financial standing. Her estimated net worth is $5 million as of 2025.
