MSNBC Anchor: Nicolle Wallace’s Secret Plan to Juggle Two Babies and a TV Empire

In a world where privacy is a rare commodity for public figures, MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace has long mastered the art of keeping her personal life under wraps. Known for her incisive political commentary on Deadline: White House, the 51-year-old journalist has built a reputation as a sharp, no-nonsense voice in broadcast media. Yet, in a surprising and heartfelt announcement, Wallace revealed she and her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband, Michael S. Schmidt, are expecting a baby girl via surrogacy this November 2025. This joyful milestone, however, comes with a complex set of challenges: raising two young children under two while juggling the relentless demands of national television and investigative journalism. As Wallace and Schmidt prepare for this new chapter, the couple’s resilience, bond, and ability to navigate the chaos of parenthood and high-stakes careers are thrust into the spotlight.

A Private Life in the Public Eye

Nicolle Wallace, born February 4, 1972, in Orange County, California, has always been deliberate about shielding her personal life from the public. A former White House Communications Director under George W. Bush and a senior advisor for John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, Wallace transitioned from politics to journalism with a keen understanding of how scrutiny can shape a narrative. Her marriage to Michael S. Schmidt, a New York Times investigative reporter, in April 2022, was a quiet affair, attended only by close family. The couple’s relationship, which began in 2019 after Schmidt appeared as a guest on Deadline: White House, has largely remained out of the tabloid fray, a testament to their shared commitment to privacy.

Their first child, Isabella Sloane Schmidt, born via surrogacy in November 2023, marked a significant moment for the couple. Wallace, already a mother to a teenage son, Liam, from her previous marriage to Mark Wallace, described the experience of becoming a mother again at 51 as both exhilarating and exhausting. “You are tired,” she admitted in a 2023 call-in to her show, laughing about sleepless nights and the realities of parenting a newborn. Now, with another baby girl on the way, the stakes—and the sleepless nights—are set to double.

The Joys and Challenges of Surrogacy

The decision to expand their family through surrogacy again reflects a deeply personal choice for Wallace and Schmidt. Surrogacy, while offering a pathway to parenthood for many, comes with its own emotional and logistical complexities. Wallace has been candid about the gratitude she feels toward their surrogate, calling the process a “miracle” that made their dreams of growing their family come true. Yet, the journey is not without its challenges. The couple must navigate the emotional weight of entrusting such an intimate process to another person, all while preparing for the arrival of a new child.

For Wallace, the choice to use surrogacy also allowed her to maintain privacy during the pregnancy. “I wasn’t pregnant,” she quipped in 2023, explaining how she kept Isabella’s arrival a secret until after the birth. This discretion underscores her ability to balance her public persona with her private joys, a skill that will be tested as their family grows.

Raising Two Under Two: A Daunting Task

With Isabella approaching her second birthday and a new baby due in November 2025, Wallace and Schmidt are bracing for the whirlwind of raising two children under two. Parenting young children is a demanding endeavor under any circumstances, but for a couple entrenched in high-profile careers, the challenges are magnified. Wallace’s role as the anchor of Deadline: White House, a two-hour daily program that dissects the day’s political news, requires intense preparation, mental acuity, and emotional stamina. Schmidt, meanwhile, is no stranger to the grind of investigative journalism, having broken major stories on everything from national security to federal investigations. His Pulitzer Prize-winning work demands long hours and unrelenting focus.

The couple’s schedules leave little room for error. Wallace has spoken about the physical toll of parenting at an older age, recalling nights spent awake at 3:45 a.m. with Isabella. The addition of a second infant will likely amplify these demands, with feedings, diaper changes, and unpredictable sleep schedules testing their endurance. Yet, Wallace’s reflections on motherhood suggest a grounding force in her family. “It’s a blessing to be focused again on what has always grounded me, and that’s my beautiful family,” she said in 2023, a sentiment that will likely guide her through this next phase.

The Emotional Toll and Public Scrutiny

Beyond the logistical challenges, Wallace and Schmidt must contend with the emotional weight of parenting under public scrutiny. Wallace’s absence from Deadline: White House in late 2023 sparked rampant speculation among viewers, with some dismissing the possibility of a new baby due to her age. Her eventual announcement quelled the rumors, but it highlighted the intense curiosity surrounding her personal life. As a prominent figure in a polarized media landscape, Wallace is no stranger to criticism, particularly from conservative circles who have accused her of politicizing issues or leaning too heavily into her progressive commentary.

The couple’s high-profile status also invites scrutiny of their parenting choices. Wallace’s decision to become a mother again at 51 has sparked both admiration and debate, with some praising her courage and others questioning the feasibility of parenting young children at her age. Schmidt, at 42, faces his own pressures as a relatively younger father balancing a demanding career with family life. Together, they must navigate these external judgments while fostering a nurturing environment for their children.

A Bond Forged in Shared Values

At the heart of this new chapter is the strength of Wallace and Schmidt’s relationship. Their bond, rooted in mutual respect and shared professional passions, has been a quiet force behind their personal and professional successes. Both are driven by a commitment to truth and accountability—Wallace through her incisive political analysis, Schmidt through his investigative reporting. Their shared experiences in high-stakes environments have likely prepared them for the challenges of parenting two young children.

Wallace has praised Schmidt’s calm demeanor, noting in 2023 that he was a “pro” at soothing Isabella, even more so than she was in the early days. This dynamic suggests a partnership built on complementary strengths, with Schmidt’s steadiness balancing Wallace’s high-energy approach to both journalism and motherhood. Their ability to lean on each other will be crucial as they face the demands of their growing family.

Juggling Careers and Family Life

How will Wallace and Schmidt cope with the demands of two infants while maintaining their careers? Wallace’s return to Deadline: White House after her 2023 maternity leave offers some clues. She emphasized her commitment to the show, assuring viewers she had no plans to leave despite taking time to bond with Isabella. Her colleague Alicia Menendez filled in seamlessly during her absence, a model that may be repeated as Wallace prepares for another maternity leave.

Schmidt, too, has a demanding career that requires flexibility. His work at The New York Times often involves unpredictable hours and travel, yet he has managed to prioritize family, as evidenced by his hands-on role with Isabella. The couple’s ability to delegate—whether to trusted colleagues or family support—will be key to managing their dual responsibilities.

Wallace’s new podcast, The Best People, launched in June 2025, adds another layer of complexity. Featuring high-profile guests like Rachel Maddow and Jason Bateman, the podcast blends politics with everyday life, reflecting Wallace’s belief that personal and political conversations are interconnected. Her ability to weave her experiences as a mother into her work suggests a strategy for coping: integrating her family life into her professional narrative, rather than keeping them separate.

What This Chapter Reveals

The arrival of their second daughter is more than a personal milestone for Wallace and Schmidt—it’s a testament to their resilience, partnership, and ability to defy expectations. Raising two young children while navigating the pressures of journalism requires not just love and commitment, but a willingness to adapt and prioritize. For Wallace, who has long balanced her public and private selves, this new chapter offers an opportunity to redefine what it means to be a mother, a journalist, and a partner in the public eye.

As they prepare to welcome their baby girl, Wallace and Schmidt are poised to face the sleepless nights, emotional highs and lows, and relentless demands of their careers with the same determination that has defined their professional lives. Their story is one of love, ambition, and the unyielding pursuit of balance in a world that rarely slows down.