Who is Ali Velshi? A Look at the MSNBC Journalist’s Life and Career

Ali Velshi is a Canadian television journalist, currently serving as a senior economic and business correspondent for NBC News and an anchor for MSNBC. He is also a substitute anchor for The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell on Friday nights. Velshi is based in New York City. Over the years, Velshi has built a reputation as a respected voice on global economics, politics, and social issues.

Early Life and Background

Ali Velshi was born in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving with his family to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1971. His family background is deeply rooted in Gujarati Indian heritage. The Velshi family are Ismaili Muslims who originally migrated from India to Kenya in 1961, later relocating to Canada from South Africa during the Apartheid era.

Education

Ali Velshi attended Northern Secondary School in Toronto, where he developed early interests in public affairs. He later earned a degree in Religious Studies from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, in 1994. In recognition of his distinguished career, his alma mater awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2016.

Journalism Career

Velshi began his journalism career in Toronto as a general assignment reporter for CFTO, later working as a business reporter and anchor for CablePulse 24 and CityTV. By 1999, he joined Report on Business Television (now BNN Bloomberg).

In 2001, Velshi moved to the United States to join CNN, where he became the chief business correspondent, anchored World Business Today, and co-hosted American Morning. After leaving CNN, he hosted Ali Velshi On Target at Al Jazeera America before the network shut down in 2016.

That same year, Velshi joined NBC News and MSNBC, where he continues to provide in-depth reporting on business, global affairs, and democracy.

Awards and Recognition

Velshi’s impactful journalism has earned him multiple National Headliner Awards and a Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. He has also received several Emmy Award nominations, underscoring his credibility and influence in broadcast journalism.

Publications and Authorship

Beyond broadcasting, Ali Velshi is also an accomplished author. His works include:

• Gimme My Money Back – a guide to financial literacy.

• How to Speak Money – co-authored, helping readers understand economic language.

• Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy – a personal and historical reflection on resilience and freedom.

Ali Velshi Age:

Ali Velshi was born on October 29, 1969, which makes him 55 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He is of Ismaili Muslim faith and Gujarati Indian ethnicity, holding dual Canadian and American nationality (naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2015)

Ali Velshi Young:

Ali Velshi was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and moved with his family to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1971 when he was just two years old. Growing up in Toronto, Velshi was immersed in a multicultural environment that emphasized education, civic responsibility, and global awareness—values that later shaped his approach to journalism.

Childhood and Schooling

Velshi attended Northern Secondary School in Toronto, where he displayed early leadership qualities, even serving as student body president. His academic curiosity and interest in public engagement continued into his university years, and in 1994, he graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a degree in Religious Studies.

Ali Velshi Parents’ Nationality and Family Background

Ali Velshi’s parents, both of Gujarati Indian descent, had a remarkable migration story shaped by resilience and activism.

• Murad Velshi (Father): Born in South Africa, Murad was a businessman who later made history as the first Canadian of Indian origin elected to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. He was also active in the family business, running a chain of travel agencies in Toronto.

• Mila (Zohra) Velshi (Mother): Born in Tanzania, she worked as a schoolteacher and instilled in her son a love of learning and empathy.

The Velshi family moved from South Africa to Kenya in 1961 after their bakery business was affected by Apartheid. They were active in anti-apartheid activism, which strongly influenced Ali’s values.

His great-grandfather was also a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, embedding a family legacy of political engagement and social justice.

Cultural Identity

Raised in a culturally Indian household with Kenyan influences, Velshi’s upbringing in Canada provided him with a truly global perspective. His family’s journey—from India to Africa, and eventually to North America—helped shape his lifelong commitment to fairness, inclusion, and the fight against injustice.

Ali Velshi Wife:

Ali Velshi has been married twice. His first marriage took place in his twenties but was short-lived. In 2009, he married his second wife, Lori Wachs, a highly accomplished hedge fund manager. The two met in 2003 when Lori appeared as a guest on one of Velshi’s television programs, and their professional encounter eventually blossomed into a long-term relationship.

Who is Lori Wachs?

Lori Wachs was born on November 8, 1968, in New York. She is an American venture capitalist and financial analyst, best known as the President of Cross Ledge Investments, a Philadelphia-based firm she co-founded.

Lori Wachs graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, beginning her career at Goldman Sachs (1990–1992) in equity risk arbitrage.

She later joined Delaware Investments, where she rose to Vice President and Portfolio Manager by 1997, before moving on to establish her own hedge fund. Her expertise has made her a respected figure in finance, particularly in consumer-focused ventures.

Personal Life and Family

Before marrying Ali Velshi, Lori was previously married and has two children, Erica Wachs and Eli Wachs. Her parents are Kenneth Pearlman and Roz Levitt Pearlman, and she has a brother named Bret Pearlman.

Since marrying Velshi, the couple has maintained residences in both New York City and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (Bryn Mawr). While they do not have children together, they share a strong, supportive partnership built on shared values, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to public service.

Ali Velshi Daughter Erica

Velshi’s Family Structure

Ali Velshi First Wife

Ali Velshi was briefly married in his twenties, but the identity and details of his first wife have never been publicly disclosed. The marriage ended quickly, and Velshi has kept that chapter of his life private, with no known interviews or public records revealing her name or background.

This early marriage is rarely mentioned in biographical profiles, likely out of respect for privacy and its limited relevance to his public career. Velshi later married Lori Wachs in 2009, and she is the only spouse publicly associated with him in media and professional circles.

Ali Velshi Height:

Ali Velshi stands at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs approximately 71 kg (157 lbs).

Career and Background

MSNBC and NBC News (2016–Present)

Ali Velshi joined MSNBC in October 2016, quickly becoming one of the network’s most recognizable figures. He currently serves as MSNBC’s Chief Correspondent and Senior Economic and Business Correspondent for NBC News, contributing analysis across television, digital, and radio platforms.

Velshi initially co-anchored Velshi & Ruhle with Stephanie Ruhle at 1:00 p.m. ET and hosted MSNBC Live with Ali Velshi at 3:00 p.m. ET. In December 2019, he transitioned to weekend mornings with his solo program Velshi, which debuted as a two-hour show and was expanded to three hours in February 2025 (airing Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. ET).

Beyond his weekend program, Velshi often fills in for primetime hosts, including The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell (Fridays at 10 p.m. ET) and occasionally The 11th Hour. Notably, he guest-hosted The 11th Hour on August 30, 2017, appearing in the television drama Homeland.

Velshi is also the host of the Velshi Banned Book Club segment and podcast, where he highlights censored literature such as The Handmaid’s Tale to advocate against book bans. Additionally, he provides weekly economic analysis for NPR’s Here and Now.

His on-the-ground reporting has taken him to major global and domestic events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Syrian refugee crisis, U.S. elections, the Iran nuclear deal, Israel–Hamas conflict, and economic debates across America through his Velshi Across America series.

Al Jazeera America (2013–2016)

In 2013, Velshi joined Al Jazeera America as a founding anchor. He hosted Real Money with Ali Velshi, which was later rebranded as Ali Velshi On Target, a nightly primetime show that examined global politics, the economy, and systemic issues like healthcare, education, and inequality. He remained with the network until it ceased operations in April 2016.

CNN and CNNfn (2001–2013)

CNNfn (2001–2004)

Velshi moved to the United States in September 2001 to join CNNfn, CNN’s now-defunct financial news channel. There, he anchored multiple programs, including Insights, Business Unusual, Street Sweep, and Your Money, and co-hosted The Money Gang with Pat Kiernan. He stayed until CNNfn shut down in December 2004.

CNN (2004–2013)

After CNNfn closed, Velshi transitioned to CNN’s main network, where he became Chief Business Correspondent. His roles included:

• Business Anchor and Reporter on Daybreak (2004–2006)

• Host of The Turnaround (2005) – a 13-episode reality series connecting small businesses with mentors

• Reporter for The Situation Room (2005–2006)

• Co-anchor of American Morning (2006–2013), officially joining in 2011

• Anchor of Your Money, CNN’s weekly personal finance program

• Anchor of World Business Today on CNN International

Velshi was a central figure in CNN’s coverage of major global and economic events. He reported extensively on the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. government bailout, and the auto industry collapse, earning a National Headliner Award for “How the Wheels Came Off.”

His field reporting included coverage of Hurricane Gustav, the Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad, and the aftermath of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Pakistan.

He also hosted CNN’s Energy Hunt, reporting from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Canada’s Oil Sands, and traveled on the CNN Election Express bus tour in 2008 to speak with Americans about the economy.

Canadian Television Career (Early 1990s–2001)

• CFTO (Toronto) – Velshi began as a General Assignment Reporter, covering a wide range of local news.

• CFRB (Toronto) – Worked as a reporter and host for the radio station.

• CablePulse 24 and CityTV (Toronto) – Served as a Business Reporter and Anchor, covering local and economic news.

• Report on Business Television (1999–2001) – Hosted The Business News, Canada’s first primetime business news program, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading financial journalists.

Global Reporting and Special Coverage

Throughout his career, Velshi has covered defining global events, including the 2008 global financial crisis, Greece’s debt crisis, Nelson Mandela’s funeral, and tensions between Russia and NATO. His work reflects a blend of economic expertise and political insight, with a reputation for connecting complex issues to everyday audiences.

Awards and Recognition

Ali Velshi’s journalism has earned him numerous accolades, including:

• National Headliner Award for coverage of the U.S. auto industry collapse (CNN)

• Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award

• 2010 Emmy nomination for terrorism coverage

• 2016 Emmy nominations for reports on disabled workers and Chicago’s red-light camera scandal

Current Status (2025)

As of September 2025, Ali Velshi remains a central figure at MSNBC and NBC News. With his expanded three-hour weekend program Velshi, continued role as a substitute anchor, contributions to NPR, and advocacy through the Velshi Banned Book Club, he continues to be one of the most influential voices in American broadcast journalism.

Velshi’s colleagues at MSNBC and NBC News:

• Lawrence O’Donnell – Host of The Last Word; Velshi often fills in on Fridays

• Stephanie Ruhle – Former co-host of Velshi & Ruhle; now hosts The 11th Hour

• Joy Reid – Host of The ReidOut; covers race and politics

• Rachel Maddow – Investigative anchor; known for deep-dive reporting

• Chris Hayes – Host of All In; focuses on progressive issues

• Ari Melber – Host of The Beat; legal analyst and constitutional expert

Ali Velshi Net Worth

Ali Velshi’s net worth is estimated to fall between $1.5 million and $5 million, depending on the source. The lower figure likely comes from older or conservative estimates, while the higher range reflects his decades-long career across major networks including CNN, Al Jazeera America, and MSNBC.

His financial success is largely attributed to:

• High-profile anchoring and correspondent positions

• Royalties from his books (Gimme My Money Back, How to Speak Money)

• Paid speaking engagements and media appearances

Ali Velshi MSNBC Salary

Velshi earns an estimated $2 million to $3 million annually at MSNBC. This places him among the network’s top earners, though not at the same level as primetime hosts such as Rachel Maddow.

His compensation reflects:

• His dual role as host of Velshi and Senior Economic & Business Correspondent for NBC News

• Extensive field reporting during major events, including the George Floyd protests and the Ukraine conflict

• His expertise and longstanding reputation in financial journalism

Is Ali Velshi ill?

There is no credible evidence or verified reports as of September 5, 2025, indicating that Ali Velshi is ill. He remains active in his role as an anchor and chief correspondent at MSNBC, with his show Velshi recently expanded to a three-hour weekend format in February 2025.

Recent appearances and social media activity, including his ongoing coverage of global events and the Velshi Banned Book Club, suggest he is in good health and actively engaged in his professional duties. No statements from Velshi or MSNBC have indicated any health concerns.

Is Ali Velshi Married?

How Old Is Ali Velshi?

Is Ali Velshi an American citizen?

Yes, Ali Velshi is an American citizen. He was born in Kenya and raised in Canada, but he took his American citizenship oath “nine years ago” as of a September 2024 article. He is described as a Canadian television journalist who has moved to the United States.

Is Ali Velshi leaving MSNBC?

As of now, there is no evidence that Ali Velshi is leaving MSNBC. He remains a prominent anchor at the network, serving as host of Velshi and as a senior economic and business correspondent for NBC News. He also frequently steps in as a substitute anchor on The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.

In October 2023, reports surfaced that Velshi, along with other Muslim-American anchors, was “quietly taken out of the anchor’s chair” following Hamas’s attack on Israel. However, MSNBC strongly denied claims that Velshi or the others were being sidelined, insisting that no such bias was at play.

While some sources noted that his shows were temporarily suspended during that period, the situation appeared specific and short-term. At present, Velshi’s role at MSNBC remains secure and active.

Where Is Ali Velshi?

Ali Velshi is an anchor and chief correspondent for MSNBC. He is also a senior economic and business correspondent for NBC News.

He hosts his own show, Velshi, and is a weekly economics contributor to NPR’s Here and Now. Velshi is based in New York City.

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