Who is MSNBC Business Correspondent, Ali Velshi? Religion, Salary, Net Worth

Who is Ali Velshi?

Ali Velshi works as a senior economic and business correspondent for NBC News. He embarked on this role in October 2016 and he has since built a name for himself. His self-titled weekend morning news program, Velshi premiered on February 15, 2020.

Before joining his current station, Ali was employed as a news anchor for Al Jazeera America in 2013. He happened to be the first on-air personality to be hired for the new channel. The station expressed its expectation that Velshi’s show would begin as a weekly program and expand to a daily program by the end of 2013.

Ali Velshi Was Born in Nairobi, Kenya

Velshi is 54 years old as of 2023. He was born to Murad Velshi and Mila on October 29, 1969, in Nairobi, the Capital City of the Republic of Kenya.

Ali’s parents fled South Africa in 1960 and settled in Kenya owing to the harsh nature of Apartheid in South Africa. Ali’s parents run a network of travel businesses in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he was raised.

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Ali Velshi Height

Velshi stands at an average height of 5 feet 9 inches.

Ali Velshi Education

Velshi graduated in 1994 with a degree in religious studies from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Is Ali Velshi Married?

It is reported that Velshi was married in his 20s but the specifics of his first marriage are unknown. He is currently married to his second wife; Lori Wachs, the woman who has held his back through the highs and lows of life.

Ali and Lori met while she was a guest on his show. Although they lead different careers, his in news and hers in business, they share an interest in the powerful world of finance. The couple tied the knot in 2009 and they are both in their second marriage.

Ali and his wife are blessed with a daughter although they have not revealed her to the public. In addition to that, Lori has two children from her previous marriage namely; Erica Wachs and Eli Wachs.

Ali Velshi MSNBC

Velshi started his career professionally at CFTO as a General Assignment reporter and it was then that he was put on payroll. His next station was CityTV where he was employed as a business reporter and ancho. He went on to work for CNN and Al Jazeera America before joining his current station.

MSNBC came calling in October 2016 and he signed a contract that has kept him at the station until today. Upon joining the station, Ali was assigned extra duties at MSNBC’s parent news division, NBC News, where he serves as a Business Correspondent.

In his early years at the station, Ali co-anchored the 1:00 p.m. ET MSNBC news program Velshi & Ruhle with Stephanie Ruhle. On top of that, he hosted his own 3:00 p.m. ET news program MSNBC Live with Ali Velshi.

Additionally, Velshi was chosen to take over as host of The Last Word on Fridays with Lawrence O’Donnell. But in December 2019, he was shifted to weekend mornings when he presented a two-hour solo show dubbed Simply Velshi. He still fills in as a host for other shows throughout the weeknights.

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Ali Velshi’s Salary and Net Worth

Velshi earns an average salary of $115,000 on an annual basis. His wages have increased significantly over the years that he has worked in mainstream media. His net worth is estimated to be roughly $1.5 million. Ali has built his wealth primarily from his career as a broadcaster.

What is Ali Velshi’s Religion?

The MSNBC journalist is an Ismaili Muslim of Gujarati-Indian descent. As a Muslim, he always points out something about his childhood experiences and a perspective whenever a conversation about Islam arises.

Velshi opposes “Political Islam,” which calls for the enactment of Sharia law and is in favor of the separation of the state from the mosque.

What Does Ali’s Wife Do For a Living?

Ali’s wife is a successful businesswoman who serves as the president of Philadelphia-based Cross Ledge Investments. After graduating from The Wharton School, she began her career in finance at Goldman Sachs. According to LinkedIn, she devotes most of her time to investing in women-led companies.