David Muir: The Man Behind the Anchor Desk Opens Up About Life, Love, and His Viral ‘Daddy’ Status

David Muir, the face of ABC’s World News Tonight, has long been a fixture in American living rooms, delivering the day’s most pressing stories with a calm authority that has made him the most-watched news anchor in the country. Since taking the helm in 2014, Muir has covered everything from the killing of Osama bin Laden to climate crises in South Sudan, earning multiple Emmy Awards and the prestigious Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2024. But beyond the polished suits and the bright studio lights, who is David Muir when the cameras stop rolling? In a rare and candid moment, Muir recently pulled back the curtain on his personal life, sharing insights into his roots, his passions, and his unexpected reaction to being dubbed “Daddy” by his devoted online fanbase. This glimpse into the private world of a public figure reveals a man who is as grounded as he is ambitious, as relatable as he is revered.

Born on November 8, 1973, in Syracuse, New York, David Jason Muir grew up in a Catholic family in Onondaga Hill, a close-knit community that shaped his values and work ethic. His parents, Ronald Muir and Pat Mills, divorced when he was young, but they co-parented David and his older sister, Rebecca, along with two younger step-siblings from his father’s second marriage. Muir’s childhood was marked by a fascination with journalism, a passion that set him apart from his peers. “I was a nerd who felt this gravitational pull to the news, starting back when I was 12 years old,” he shared in a recent interview. While other kids played outside, Muir would rush indoors to catch the local news, captivated by the likes of Peter Jennings, whom he idolized as “the James Bond of the evening news.” This early obsession led him to intern at WTVH-TV in Syracuse at just 13, carrying tripods and fetching drinks for anchors while dreaming of one day sitting behind the desk himself.

Muir’s journey to the top was anything but conventional. After graduating magna cum laude from Ithaca College with a degree in journalism, he spent a semester abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain, an experience that broadened his worldview and honed his ability to connect with diverse audiences. His career began in earnest at WTVH, where he worked as a reporter before moving to WCVB-TV in Boston. In 2003, he joined ABC News, anchoring overnight programs like World News Now before rising through the ranks to become the weekend anchor and, eventually, the successor to Diane Sawyer on World News Tonight. Under his leadership, the program has consistently outperformed competitors, becoming the most-watched evening newscast in the U.S. since 2017. His reporting from global hotspots—Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine, and Mogadishu, to name a few—has earned him accolades for his courage and storytelling, including a record-breaking $9 million in donations raised for the World Food Program through his climate change coverage.

Yet, despite his high-profile career, Muir remains deeply connected to his roots. He owns a $7 million lakeside home on Skaneateles Lake in upstate New York, a place he describes as his sanctuary. “When you’re out there on the lake, smelling the same air that you smelled when you were on your BMX bike back when you were a kid, there’s something really fueling about that,” he said. It’s here, far from the frenetic pace of New York City, that Muir finds solace, often spending weekends covered in mud, tending to his property or watching his German shorthaired pointer, Axel, chase beavers by the boathouse. Axel, a beloved fixture on Muir’s Instagram, has become something of a celebrity in his own right. “People will say, ‘Is that David Muir’s dog?’ It kind of puts it all in perspective,” Muir laughs, noting that his fans may love Axel more than they love him.

Muir’s humility is a recurring theme in his reflections. Despite his status as a household name, he admits to feeling like “that kid racing into that local newsroom all those years ago.” He’s known for anchoring in jeans and boots, a nod to his laid-back personality, and he confesses to feeling uneasy in formalwear. “Anyone who works with me knows that I am so uncomfortable even having to put on the tux,” he says. This self-deprecating charm extends to his response to the viral phenomenon that has dubbed him “Daddy” on platforms like TikTok and X. Fans have created montages and “thirst edits” celebrating Muir’s good looks, with some even launching a Tumblr page called “Gimme Gimme Muir.” When asked about the moniker, Muir takes it in stride with a characteristic blend of humor and grace. “People will forward TikTok videos, but only because they are laughing out loud at them and making fun of me and saying, ‘When did you become Daddy?’ So I don’t know whether that happens when you hit 50 or what, but I’ll take it as a compliment, I think,” he quips.

The “Daddy” phenomenon, while lighthearted, underscores Muir’s unique appeal. At 51, he’s been named one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive (2014) and praised for his “central-casting looks,” yet he remains refreshingly unpretentious. He’s quick to deflect attention from his appearance, focusing instead on the substance of his work. “I think it’s really important to continue to try being better,” he says. “The moment you stop learning, the moment you’re no longer curious, that’s probably a time to sort of check yourself.” This commitment to growth has driven his career, from moderating presidential debates to conducting a historic interview with Pope Francis in Spanish, a skill he credits to his college days in Spain.

Muir’s personal life, however, remains largely private, a choice that has fueled speculation about his relationship status. He has never publicly confirmed dating anyone, and rumors about his sexuality—ranging from alleged romances with colleagues like Gio Benitez to a brief claim by journalist Kate Dries—have never been substantiated. Muir does not wear a wedding ring, and sources close to him suggest he is single, though he remains tight-lipped on the subject. What is clear is his devotion to his family. An uncle to six nieces and three nephews, whom he affectionately calls his “squad,” Muir is deeply involved in their lives, celebrating milestones like his niece Finan’s graduation from Cornell University. He’s also close with his sister Rebecca, who runs a farm in Borodino, New York, and frequently visits his parents, who still live in the Syracuse area.

Beyond family, Muir’s friendships are a cornerstone of his off-camera life. His bond with Live hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos is well-documented, with the trio often vacationing together in places like Greece and Italy. “Happy birthday @instasuelos – you make every view better – truly,” Muir wrote on Instagram, capturing their easy camaraderie. These relationships, along with his philanthropy—supporting organizations like Unicef and establishing a scholarship fund at Ithaca College—reveal a man who values connection and giving back.

Muir’s love for travel also shapes his downtime. His Instagram is filled with snapshots from Paris, Vietnam, and Rome, where he recently covered the papal conclave. “Paris never disappoints,” he captioned a photo outside Sacre-Coeur, reflecting his wanderlust, which began during his college semester abroad. Whether reporting from war zones or exploring new cultures, Muir sees travel as a way to “get out there beyond your backyard and see the world,” a philosophy inspired by his childhood hero, Peter Jennings.

As Muir continues to anchor World News Tonight and co-host 20/20, his influence shows no signs of waning. His Made in America series, which highlights U.S. manufacturing, has become a hallmark of his broadcast, while his reporting on issues like the heroin crisis and climate change has earned critical acclaim. Yet, for all his achievements, Muir remains grounded by the simple pleasures of lake life, his dog Axel, and the enduring pull of Syracuse. “I love this job. I love the people that I interview and get to meet, and I think that journalism is more important than ever,” he says. And as for the “Daddy” status? It’s just another chapter in the story of a man who’s learned to embrace the spotlight while staying true to himself.