Jim Acosta is an American journalist and former CNN anchor, best known for his role as CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent during the Obama and Trump administrations. Born on April 17, 1971, in Washington, D.C., he gained national prominence for his tough questioning and heated exchanges with former President Donald Trump.
Acosta worked at CNN for nearly 20 years, serving as a chief domestic correspondent and weekend anchor before leaving the network on January 28, 2025.
In this article, we will explore Jim Acosta’s age, height, family, career, net worth, controversies, and lesser-known facts.
Jim Acosta Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abilio James Acosta |
| Profession | Journalist, News Anchor |
| Hometown | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1971 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 53 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Education | James Madison University (BA) |
| Political Affiliation | Independent |
| Spouse | Sharon Mobley Stow (m. 1999; div. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
| Known For | Former CNN Chief White House Correspondent, Author |
Early Life and Education
Family Background
Jim Acosta was born Abilio James Acosta on April 17, 1971, in Washington, D.C. His father was a Cuban refugee who fled to the U.S. at the age of 11, just weeks before the Cuban Missile Crisis. His mother is of Irish and Czech descent.
Education
- Acosta grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from Annandale High School in 1989.
- He attended James Madison University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, with a minor in political science in 1993.
- During college, Acosta was active in student media, volunteering at WXJM (student radio station) and working as a reporter for WSVA, a local news station.
Media Career
Early Career (1994–2007)
Jim Acosta started his career in radio broadcasting before moving into television journalism.
- 1994 – Worked as a desk assistant at WTTG-TV (Fox affiliate, Washington, D.C.).
- 1995–1998 – Became a reporter and anchor at WBIR-TV (NBC affiliate, Knoxville, Tennessee).
- 1998–2000 – Worked for KTVT-TV (CBS affiliate, Fort Worth, Texas).
- 2000–2001 – Reporter at WBBM-TV (CBS, Chicago).
- 2001–2007 – Worked as a CBS News correspondent, covering politics, Hurricane Katrina, and the Iraq War.
CNN Career (2007–2025)
In April 2007, Acosta joined CNN and quickly became one of its most recognizable reporters.
Chief White House Correspondent (2018–2021)
- Acosta gained national recognition for his aggressive questioning of President Donald Trump.
- He frequently clashed with Trump and White House press secretaries, particularly Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
- In 2018, Acosta’s White House press pass was revoked, leading to a legal battle between CNN and the Trump administration.
- His confrontational style made him both a hero to some and a controversial figure to others.
Chief Domestic Correspondent & CNN Anchor (2021–2025)
- In January 2021, after Trump left office, CNN promoted Acosta to Chief Domestic Correspondent and weekend anchor.
- His new role included covering U.S. domestic policy and anchoring weekend broadcasts.
- His time-slot was later moved to late-night (midnight to 2 AM), leading to his departure from CNN in January 2025.
Notable Controversies
Clashes with Donald Trump (2016–2020)
Jim Acosta was a frequent critic of Trump and had multiple heated exchanges with him:
- In 2016, Trump mocked Acosta, calling him “a real beauty” during a press conference.
- In 2017, Trump refused to take Acosta’s questions, calling CNN “fake news.”
- In 2018, after a heated exchange, the White House revoked Acosta’s press credentials, leading to a lawsuit that CNN won.
Allegations of Bias
- Critics, especially from conservative media, accused Acosta of being too opinionated for a journalist.
- Supporters argued that he was holding those in power accountable.
Family and Personal Life
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Father | Cuban refugee |
| Mother | Irish and Czech descent |
| Ex-Wife | Sharon Mobley Stow (1999–2017) |
| Children | 2 (Names Not Public) |
Divorce
Acosta was married to Sharon Mobley Stow, a registered nurse, from 1999 to 2017. The couple has two children.
Hobbies & Interests
- Acosta is fluent in Spanish.
- He enjoys traveling, politics, and history.
- He is an advocate for press freedom.
Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown (Graying) |
Net Worth and Income Sources
Jim Acosta has built a successful career as a journalist, author, and news anchor.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $4 Million (Approx.) |
| Primary Income Source | CNN Salary (Previously) |
| Additional Income | Book Sales, Speaking Engagements |
- CNN Salary: Estimated $1 million per year before leaving in 2025.
- Books: Earned significant revenue from his book sales and public speaking engagements.
Lesser-Known Facts About Jim Acosta
- His father fled Cuba just weeks before the Cuban Missile Crisis.
- He started his journalism career in radio before moving to TV.
- He covered the Iraq War from Baghdad while working for CBS News.
- He was involved in a historic lawsuit against the Trump administration over press freedoms.
- Acosta has written bestselling books about his experiences as a journalist.
- He traveled to Cuba in 2016 to cover President Obama’s historic visit.
- His questioning of Cuban leader Raúl Castro made international headlines.
- He has been both praised and criticized for his confrontational reporting style.
- His final CNN broadcast aired on January 28, 2025.
- He was considered for MSNBC and ABC after leaving CNN.
FAQs About Jim Acosta
1. Why did Jim Acosta leave CNN?
He left CNN in January 2025 after his morning show was moved to a midnight time slot.
2. Who is Jim Acosta’s wife?
He was married to Sharon Mobley Stow from 1999 to 2017.
3. What is Jim Acosta’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is $4 million.
4. Where was Jim Acosta born?
He was born in Washington, D.C.
5. What was Jim Acosta’s role at CNN?
He was CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent, Domestic Correspondent, and Weekend Anchor.
Conclusion
Jim Acosta is a highly respected journalist known for his fearless reporting and confrontations with powerful figures. His departure from CNN in 2025 marks the end of an era, but his impact on journalism remains significant.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.
