Born on June 19, 1963, in Glastonbury, Connecticut, Laura Ingraham grew up in a working-class household. Her father, a WWII veteran, ran a carwash, while her mother held jobs at a local school and later as a waitress. The youngest of four and the only girl, Ingraham excelled in sports and academics. At Dartmouth College, she became the first female editor-in-chief of the conservative Dartmouth Review, attracting national attention—and controversy—through provocative editorials.
Her path to Washington began with a summer speechwriting gig under Reagan’s education secretary, William Bennett. After college, she joined the White House speechwriting team, then earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. Ingraham clerked for prominent conservative judges, including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. A brief legal career followed, but her bold personality proved better suited for media than corporate law.
In the mid-1990s, Ingraham transitioned into broadcasting. She hosted Watch It! on MSNBC and launched The Laura Ingraham Show on radio in 2001, becoming a leading conservative voice during the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. Her sharp commentary earned her both loyal fans and vocal critics.
Ingraham’s big break at Fox News came after guest-hosting The O’Reilly Factor. In 2017, she debuted The Ingraham Angle, which quickly became a top-rated show among cable viewers, particularly in the 25–54 demographic. Alongside her TV work, she’s written multiple bestsellers and co-founded the conservative digital outlet LifeZette.
While her romantic life has drawn media attention—she was linked to Dinesh D’Souza, Keith Olbermann, and Larry Summers—Ingraham never married. She was briefly engaged in 2005 but ended it after a breast cancer diagnosis. Following treatment, she announced in 2013 that she was cancer-free.
A strong advocate for adoption, Ingraham adopted her daughter Maria from Guatemala in 2008, followed by sons Dmitri and Nikolai from Russia. She raises her children in Washington, D.C., balancing family with her nightly TV responsibilities. From humble beginnings to legal and media success, Ingraham has crafted a high-profile career shaped by determination, controversy, and resilience.
