The cameras stop rolling. The desk light dims. And beneath the familiar calm of America’s most trusted nightly anchor, a quieter story continues—one filled with small gestures, big sacrifices, and the kind of love that rarely makes it into the news.

Lester Holt, now 63, has reported from war zones and presidential debates. He’s covered hurricanes, riots, and breaking news from every continent. But behind the authoritative tone and polished suit is a man whose proudest title isn’t “anchor.” It’s Granddude.

Yes, that’s the name Holt chose for his grandchildren to call him.

And while it may sound playful on the surface, it says a lot about the man behind the headlines.

A Marriage Forged in Motion

To understand Holt’s story, you have to go back to the early 1980s, when he wasn’t yet the face of NBC News, and Carol Hagen, his future wife, was a flight attendant just trying to get through another day in the sky.

They met by chance. Their first date? Unconventional, to say the least.

“He invited her to a fire scene,” recalls a former colleague with a chuckle. “That’s Lester’s idea of romance—a breaking story and a press badge.”

Hagen didn’t flinch. She followed him to Napa Valley, where he was reporting on a fire. That first shared moment—fast-paced, chaotic, unpredictable—would become a metaphor for their life together.

When Holt landed a job at WCBS-TV in New York, Hagen had just been laid off. Instead of staying behind, she packed her bags and followed him.

They married in 1982. Then came Los Angeles. Then two sons. Then… everything else.

Through the Hard Times, They Laughed

Holt is the first to admit his job hasn’t been easy on their marriage.

“I chase breaking news,” he once told Access. “That’s not a nine-to-five lifestyle.”

There were missed dinners, last-minute trips, and plenty of nights when Hagen was left answering late-night phone calls while raising their boys.

But through it all, there was something else: laughter.

“It gets you through the hard times,” Holt said. “We still have the ability to laugh and be really corny.”

For a man known for his poise on air, Holt speaks openly about how much of his career he owes to his wife’s patience, flexibility, and emotional steadiness.

“She’s been there for me,” he said. “And that means an awful lot.”

Stefan and Cameron: Two Very Different Roads

Their first son, Stefan, was born in 1987. He grew up watching his father anchor the news, often late into the night. Years later, Stefan would follow in those very same footsteps—not out of obligation, but inspiration.

Stefan studied broadcast journalism and political science at Pepperdine University. After a series of stints across regional markets, he now anchors NBC 5’s 4PM and 11PM newscasts in Chicago.

But what surprises people most is that he works in the same building as his father.

“It never feels weird,” Holt once said. “He’ll say, ‘Thanks, Dad,’ on air. No hesitation. We’ve made peace with blending the personal and professional.”

Their bond isn’t just professional—it’s deeply personal.

Stefan frequently shares photos of his father on social media, often with heartfelt captions like:

“From teaching me how to ride a bike, to reporting the news, and to raising a family of my own. Thank you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day.”

Then there’s Cameron, the younger son.

He didn’t go into journalism. Instead, he earned a degree in Mathematical and Computational Science from Stanford and followed it with a master’s in Management Science and Engineering.

Today, Cameron works in finance as Vice President at Morgan Stanley’s Institutional Equity Division.

He’s private, low-profile, and keeps his social media locked down. But he’s no less close to the family.

On National Siblings Day, Stefan once posted a black-and-white photo of the two brothers hugging, captioning it:

“The smartest and funniest guy I know.”

One pursued public life. The other built quiet success. But to Holt, what matters isn’t where they ended up. It’s how they got there.

“They were good boys,” he once said. “They didn’t give us any trouble.”

Granddude and CeeCee: A New Chapter Begins

Now that Stefan has three sons—Henry, Sam, and James—Holt and Hagen have stepped into a new role: grandparents.

But don’t expect them to answer to “Grandpa” and “Grandma.”

Carol is “CeeCee.”
Lester is “Granddude.”

The name started as a joke. Holt wanted something that captured the spirit of being a grandparent without feeling old.

“I thought ‘Grand’ sounds distinguished, and ‘Dude’ sounds young. Together? Perfect,” he explained.

The name stuck—especially after a video went viral of young Henry pointing at the TV and shouting, “Granddude!”

“I melted,” Holt said. “You wait for that recognition as a grandparent. That was the moment.”

And as any grandparent knows, the real joy is in the little things—spoiling the kids, playing games, then handing them back when the chaos hits.

A Family That’s Still Growing

Photos of Holt’s grandchildren on set have become a frequent sight on social media. Whether he’s holding a toddler on his lap or posing with all three, the affection is genuine and visible.

Even more touching is how his sons continue to publicly celebrate their parents.

Stefan frequently shares photos of Carol on Mother’s Day, often with throwback images of birthdays, family vacations, and milestones.

But the best photos are the ones with the smallest moments: Lester showing Stefan how to ride a bike. Carol holding a newborn. A proud father watching his son anchor the news across the hall.

It’s not curated. It’s not performative.

It’s just life.

What the Public Doesn’t See

To the public, Lester Holt is the calm during national storms. He’s the voice of reason during election nights, tragedies, and wars. But that man—Granddude, husband, father—is rarely the story.

And maybe that’s the point.

Somewhere between New York newsrooms and studio lights, Holt built something far more meaningful than a legacy in journalism.

He built a family that laughs, leans in, and shows up—for the fires and the first steps, for the late-night calls and early-morning cartoons.

The kind of family that doesn’t just survive 40 years of a broadcast career.
They thrive through it. Together.

Final Thought

Lester Holt’s story isn’t one of flashy headlines or political bombshells. It’s a story of showing up when the cameras are off.

Of staying present in a world that rewards distraction.
Of building a home while the world asked for your voice.
And of being the kind of grandfather who chose his own name—not out of vanity, but joy.

He’s not just a Granddude.
He’s a husband who made space for partnership,
a father who led without pressure,
and a journalist who—after four decades—is still most proud of the life waiting for him when he steps away from the mic.