Carley Noelle Shimkus was born on November 7, 1986, in Long Valley, New Jersey. She is an American journalist, television host, and news anchor. She currently co-hosts Fox & Friends First on Fox News Channel.
Who is Carley Shimkus?
Carley Shimkus is one of the most recognized morning television personalities in the United States. She co-hosts Fox & Friends First alongside Todd Piro, anchoring the show weekdays at 5 AM ET on Fox News Channel.
She joined Fox News in 2009 as a production assistant. Over more than a decade, she climbed from behind the scenes to one of the network’s most prominent on-air roles.
Her journey is a true testament to hard work.
She covers national headlines, entertainment news, and trending social media stories. Additionally, she regularly appears as a guest contributor on programs like America’s Newsroom, Outnumbered, and Gutfeld!. Her sharp reporting style and warm screen presence have won her a loyal nationwide audience.
Her career at Fox News spans more than 15 years.
Early Life of Carley Shimkus
Carley Shimkus was born and raised in Long Valley, New Jersey. Her mother, Zulma Aponte Shimkus, is of Puerto Rican descent and worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Her father, Edward Shimkus, is of Lithuanian heritage and worked as a professional chemist.
Her parents met on a flight in 1982. That chance encounter led to a marriage that produced two daughters.
Carley is the younger of two sisters.
Her older sister, Margot Shimkus, pursued a career in art and design. Growing up, Carley showed an early passion for communication and storytelling. Those traits would eventually define her entire professional life.
She completed her secondary schooling at West Morris Central High School in Chester, New Jersey. Even as a teenager, she gravitated toward media and public speaking. That early interest guided every decision that followed.
Carley Shimkus Age
Carley Shimkus is 39 years old as of June 4, 2026, born on November 7, 1986. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio, a sign associated with determination and intensity. She has spent nearly her entire adult life building a successful career in broadcast journalism.
Carley Shimkus Ethnicity and Nationality
Carley Shimkus holds American nationality. She has a mixed ethnic background, with Puerto Rican heritage on her mother’s side and Lithuanian roots on her father’s side. This diverse cultural upbringing has given her a broad worldview that is often reflected in her reporting style.
Carley Shimkus Education
Carley Shimkus attended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, between 2005 and 2009. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism. Additionally, she attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in 2008.
Per IMDb, she also worked as an associate producer for Imus in the Morning in 2007 while still completing her studies. During her time at Quinnipiac, she interned at Fox News in Washington, D.C. That internship proved to be the direct gateway to her professional career.
Her academic foundation in journalism prepared her well for the demands of live television.
Carley Shimkus Career
Carley Shimkus has built a remarkable career at one of America’s largest cable news networks. She started at the very bottom in 2009 and worked her way to hosting the network’s earliest morning show.
Starting at Fox Business Network
Carley Shimkus joined Fox News in 2009 as a production assistant for Fox Business Network (FBN). She quickly earned a promotion to associate producer. Her behind-the-scenes experience gave her a deep understanding of how television news is produced.
She did not stay off-camera for long.
She transitioned into an on-air reporting role and began contributing to Fox News Headlines 24/7 as a reporter. Additionally, she became known for covering social media trends, entertainment stories, and consumer business news for the Fox & Friends morning show. Per Fox News, she reported on these areas with consistency and depth.
That reporting work introduced her to millions of daily viewers.
Fox & Friends First Co-Host
In 2021, Carley Shimkus was elevated to co-host of Fox & Friends First. She joined Todd Piro to anchor the two-hour program that serves as the lead-in to Fox’s flagship morning show. The show airs weekdays from 4 AM to 6 AM ET, making it one of the earliest live programs on cable news.
Her promotion recognized more than a decade of consistent work at the network.
She and Piro have developed a natural on-screen chemistry. Furthermore, her ability to shift between breaking news, lighter entertainment stories, and social media segments has made her one of the most versatile hosts on the network. Overall, her role as co-host has cemented her status as a veteran Fox News anchor.
Additional Fox News Contributions
Beyond Fox & Friends First, Shimkus regularly contributes to other major Fox News programs. She has appeared frequently on Outnumbered, Hannity, and America’s Newsroom. Also, she has been a recurring presence on Gutfeld!, one of Fox’s highest-rated late-night programs.
Her contributions span the full breadth of the network’s programming.
She is also an author. She contributed to the Fox News Books publication Cooking with Friends: Eat, Drink & Be Merry, further expanding her presence beyond television.
Carley Shimkus Husband
Carley Shimkus is married to Peter Buchignani, a finance professional. The couple first met on Carley’s 23rd birthday in 2009 but did not begin dating until 2013. After two years of dating, they tied the knot on August 8, 2015, in a ceremony in New Jersey attended by close family and friends.
Peter Buchignani was born in Bloomington, Illinois. He graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Politics. He played as a defensive end on the Princeton football team and earned All-Ivy honorable mention for two seasons. Professionally, he works in securitized product sales at Amherst Pierpont Securities, with previous roles at Deutsche Bank and Barclays Investment Bank.
Peter keeps a notably low public profile. However, Carley has frequently spoken warmly about him in interviews and on social media.
Carley Shimkus Children
Carley Shimkus and Peter Buchignani have one son together. Shimkus announced live on air in August 2022 that she was expecting her first child.
Their son, Brock Edward Buchignani, was born on January 30, 2023. Carley made the announcement on Instagram and received on-air congratulations from her Fox & Friends colleagues. She has since shared regular updates about Brock’s milestones on social media.
Motherhood has become an important part of her public identity.
Carley Shimkus Net Worth
Carley Shimkus’s estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026. Her primary income source is her long-running role as a journalist and co-host at Fox News. She also earns income through social media collaborations and sponsored content.
Reports on her annual Fox News salary vary across sources. However, multiple sources place her earnings in the range of $70,000 to over $90,000 annually. Her 15-plus years at the network, combined with her co-host status, have steadily grown her financial profile.
Carley Shimkus Social Media
Carley Shimkus is active on Instagram under the handle @carleyshimkus. Her profile describes her as the co-host of Fox & Friends First on Fox News. She uses the platform to share career updates, family moments, and glimpses of her personal life.
She is also active on X (formerly Twitter). Fans can follow her updates there as well.
Her social media presence has grown significantly alongside her television profile. Additionally, she often uses Instagram to connect directly with viewers who follow her morning show coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carley Shimkus’s net worth?
Carley Shimkus’s estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026. Her wealth comes primarily from her long career as a journalist and co-host at Fox News, supplemented by social media collaborations.
How old is Carley Shimkus?
Carley Shimkus is 39 years old as of June 4, 2026. She was born on November 7, 1986, in Long Valley, New Jersey. She will turn 40 later this year in November.
Who is Carley Shimkus’s husband?
Carley Shimkus’s husband is Peter Buchignani, a Princeton University graduate and finance professional. The couple married on August 8, 2015, in New Jersey, after dating since 2013.
What is Carley Shimkus’s height?
Carley Shimkus stands at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall. Her weight is reported at approximately 54 kg (118 lbs). Her tall, poised appearance has made her a natural fit for on-camera television work.
Where was Carley Shimkus born?
Carley Shimkus was born in Long Valley, New Jersey, on November 7, 1986. She grew up in northern New Jersey and later studied in Connecticut before launching her career in Washington, D.C., and New York.
Does Carley Shimkus have children?
Yes, Carley Shimkus has one son, Brock Edward Buchignani, born on January 30, 2023. She announced his arrival on Instagram and shared the news with her Fox & Friends First audience live on air.
The Bottom Line
Carley Shimkus represents what sustained effort and genuine passion for a craft can achieve. She started at Fox News in 2009 as a behind-the-scenes production assistant. More than 15 years later, she anchors one of the network’s daily morning shows in front of millions of viewers.
Her story is not one of overnight success. It is a story of patience, skill-building, and showing up day after day at an industry that is deeply competitive. Furthermore, her ability to balance a demanding early-morning broadcast schedule with her role as a wife and mother makes her an inspiration to many of her fans.
She continues to grow both professionally and personally. We hope you enjoyed reading about Carley Shimkus. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!