Lester Holt’s Kids Are ‘Good Men!’ Get to Know the NBC Star’s 2 Sons Stefan and Cameron

Lester Holt is usually informing us about the latest hot topics around the world on NBC Nightly News, but when he’s at home with his family, the TV star is a loving dad of two sons. Lester is especially proud to be the doting grandfather of his three grandsons, who adorably know him as “granddude.”

The Emmy-winning journalist shares his children, Stefan Holt and Cameron Holt, with his wife of more than four decades, Carol Hagen. Lester’s children have become extremely successful like their famous father. Out of everything Stefan and Cameron have accomplished, the Dateline star praised his sons for having a “strong work ethic.”

“I think it’s just that they’re terrific. We were very lucky when they were growing up,” he shared with Yahoo! Life in July 2021. “There was frankly never any drama. There was no trouble — that I knew of … . They were good boys and they’re really solid, good men. They’re friendly … they’re running their own way in life … and as a parent, you really couldn’t ask any more.”

Stefan Holt

Lester experienced the joy of fatherhood when his wife gave birth to their first son in 1987. Stefan grew up to become a very successful young man, having followed in his dad’s reporting footsteps. Per his LinkedIn, Stefan studied broadcast journalism and political science at Pepperdine University, where he graduated in 2009.

Following graduation, Stefan landed a job as a reporter and fill-in anchor for Hearst Magazine in West Palm Beach, Florida. He eventually left the company after two years to start working as a news anchor for NBC. Since May 2011, he’s been reporting the news for NBC 5 Chicago. Lester shared advice for Stefan and other young journalists in the industry.

“Be prepared for the winds of change. People will always have an appetite for news, but how people consume news is going to be a moving target,” the dad of two said during a February 2025 interview with NBCU Academy. “One of my mentors would share with me that it [journalism] is a calling. Sounds a little corny, but it really is. You have to want to do this and believe in what we do. We are a pillar of democracy. I know a lot of young journalists took it personally when we went through a period of mistrust in the media. But part of what we do requires bravery and standing up for the principles of journalism. You have to get past the noise sometimes to make sure that people hear the news.”

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Aside from his profession, Stefan is a doting dad of three sons with his wife, Morgan Holt, whom he wed in 2012. The couple share Henry, Sam and youngest son James, who arrived in September 2021. The TV personality announced they were expecting their third child in the cutest way, writing on Instagram, “Breaking News: Henry and Sam are excited to welcome their baby brother this fall. And they’re even helping us with names.”

Four months later, Stefan revealed the name they chose for their third son when the tot was born on September 25, 2021. “Our sweet baby James has arrived,” Stefan penned alongside pics of his bundle of joy, adding the hashtags, “baby boy” and “happy birthday.”

Cameron Holt

Lester’s second child is Cameron, who was born in 1990. His LinkedIn states he graduated from Stanford University with a degree in mathematical and computational science in 2012. Cameron also earned a master’s degree in management science and engineering at Stanford in 2013.

It appears Cameron tried his hand in television, as he worked “on the production team for two CNBC shows, Squawk on the Street and CNBC Reports” as an intern in 2009. Since 2013, he’s worked as the Vice President of the Institutional Equity Division at Morgan Stanley.

When it comes to his personal life, Cameron is a little more low-key than his older brother. However, his private Twitter account’s bio states he’s a “Yankees fan and coffee drinker extraordinaire.” Heavy also reported while Cameron doesn’t have any kids, he’s a loving dog dad to his rescue pets, Millie and Maddy.

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Lester Holt Has 3 Grandkids

Lester is embracing his life as a proud grandparent. Lester revealed his “favorite part” of being a grandfather. “People have always shared with me that you get to spoil them, you get to love them and hug them and all that stuff, but when the hard work comes, you get to make an excuse to make your exit,” he joked.

“Seriously, it’s all great,” the longtime news anchor — who revealed his older grandchildren gave him the nickname “granddude” — sweetly continued. “It’s fun to see a little bit of your child’s personality come through in these grandkids. Sometimes, even my son [Stefan] doesn’t necessarily see what we see. But it’s just fun to watch them grow.”

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It’s obvious Lester has had a big impact on Stefan and Cameron during their childhood, and he’s also helping shape the lives of his youngest generation. The TV host’s eldest son proved how grateful he is to have Lester as his dad when he celebrated Father’s Day in June 2021.

“From teaching me how to ride a bike, to reporting the news and to raising a family of my own. Thank you, Dad, for everything!” Stefan penned on Instagram, sharing a sweet photo with Lester from his childhood. “Happy Father’s Day!”

When his boys were growing up, Lester enjoyed reading to them just as his mother did for him. Now, as a doting grandfather, he has carried that tradition on with Stefan and Cameron’s little ones. 

“I love reading to my grandkids,” he continued. “In fact, at one point during the pandemic, I brought out my video camera and my tripod and my microphone, and I set up and I read a book on video for them and then sent it to them. So that’s something that is a very special event and there’s nothing more special than holding a child and they fall asleep for naptime or nighttime.”