Introduction
Natalie Morales-Rhodes is a popular NBC journalist who is serving as the West Coast anchor for the Today Show. In addition to her appearance in Today, she is also a presenter of Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood Live. Natalie Morales was born on June 6, 1972, in Taipei, Taiwan and has been active in journalism since 1994.
Childhood and Education
Natalie Morales was born to parents Penelope, who is a Brazilian and Lieutenant Colonel Mario Morales, a Puerto Rican. She has traveled different places during her childhood because of her father’s postings. She spent first eighteen years of her life in America and overseas including Panama, Brazil, and Spain. Natalie has a mixed ancestry and is an American citizen.
Natalie Morales went to Rutgers University where she earned double Bachelors degree in Journalism and Latin American Studies. While at University, she became the member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Career and Path
Natalie Morales worked for Chase Bank in her initial days prior to starting out her journey in journalism. She has worked at WVIT-TV in Hartford as a weekend anchor/reporter and morning co-anchor covering the top stories of Columbine shootings, 2000 Presidential election and September 11, 2001, attacks. She has also worked for WNBC where she was a co-host and reporter for the Emmy-nominated documentary Save Our Sound.
Natalie Morales worked at News 12-The Bronx as the first morning anchor. Besides, she also served as a camera operator, editor, and producer for the network. She spent more than two years behind the camera at Court TV. From 2002-2006, she served as an anchor and correspondent for MSNBC.
Natalie rose to fame after joining Today Show in 2006 as a co-anchor and national correspondent. She has been serving Today since 2006 till date with different roles but has been accredited for her service at Today. She is also known as ‘Lady Today’.
Natalie Morales Net Worth
Natalie is a beautiful presenter with a skillful deliverance. Natalie Morales earns a handsome salary from her employer and she is very satisfied with her payroll. Natalie Morales has not only involved in journalism but also can be seen as guests in different television shows and movies. She has earned a good amount from her different projects. Natalie Morales has therefore accumulated the net worth of approximately $8.5 million dollars.
Natalie Morales Married: Husband and Children
Moving onto the married life of Natalie Morales, she has been happily married to her husband Joseph Rhodes for almost two decades. Her husband Joseph Rhodes is a founder and contemporary managing partner at Stockton Road Capital LLC. The couple got married on August 22, 1998. Natalie and her husband Joseph are blessed with two adorable sons. Their first child was born on 2004 whose names is Joseph Stockton Rhodes and the second son was born on September 2008 whose name is Luke Hudson Rhodes. The family currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
Natalie Morales: Rumor of Divorce
As always, the celeb life is not far the rumor and controversies. The happily married life of Natalie Morales has also faced the rumors of infidelity leading her marriage on rocks and rumor of divorce. Back in 2006, Natalie Morales was accused in a rumor of having a love affair with the Today co-host Matt Lauer. It is said that the two came closer after covering the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
According to a source, it is reported that Matt Lauer’s wife even filed for the divorce against him for the very reason but later withdrew it. The matter got settled and there was no more news on them. However, two years later in 2008, when Natalie Morales announced her pregnancy with her second child, a rumor floated in the media stating it is not her husband Joseph’s child but instead is of Matt’s. The rumor also settled without any clarity on it.
Astonishingly, again in 2012, the rumor aired as Matt Lauer’s wife Annette Roque threatened Matt not to persuade NBC Bosses to get Natalie as Ann Curry’s replacement in Today or she would divorce him. It is said that Matt has the power to decide whom to give the position but due to the threatening from his wife, Natalie was not chosen and she moved to LA.
Natalie Morales, her husband Joseph Rhodes and alleged boyfriend Matt Lauer has been strongly denying the rumors since the very beginning. However, their chemistry showcased their claim to be false causing the rumors to emerge from time to time.
Natalie and her husband Joseph has been living happily together which proves the rocky relationship of the couple which is not turning or twisting from these wobbly rumors. Natalie Morales is proud to have a husband like Joseph who is honest to her and believes and supports her in every ups and down of her life. The rumor has settled ever since she moved to living in LA with her husband and children. There is no sign of divorce in between any of these couple involved in the rumor.