Lisa Desjardins is an award-winning American political journalist, Capitol Hill correspondent, and television reporter best known for her work with PBS NewsHour. Renowned for her calm, in-depth reporting and ability to explain complex political developments, she has covered Congress, presidential elections, federal policy, and breaking national events for more than two decades. Before joining PBS, she built an impressive career at CNN Radio and the Associated Press, earning recognition for her thorough reporting on politics and government.
Since joining PBS NewsHour in 2014, Desjardins has become one of the network’s leading political correspondents. Reporting primarily from Capitol Hill, she covers legislation, congressional negotiations, elections, and the impact of federal policies on everyday Americans. Her live reporting during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol earned widespread praise and contributed to PBS NewsHour’s award-winning coverage of the event.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Lisa Goddard Desjardins |
| Profession | Political Journalist, Correspondent |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | January 29, 1972 |
| Age | 54 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Hawaii, United States |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Jason Desjardins |
| Children | One son |
| Known For | PBS NewsHour, CNN Radio, Capitol Hill Reporting |
Early Life and Family
Lisa Desjardins (née Lisa Goddard) was born on January 29, 1972, in Hawaii but spent much of her childhood growing up in Annandale, Virginia. Her father served as a U.S. Navy officer before retiring with the rank of captain and later becoming a college instructor. Growing up in a military family exposed her to public service and national affairs from an early age, helping spark her lifelong interest in politics and journalism.
Although Lisa has kept many details about her extended family private, she has occasionally spoken about how her upbringing encouraged curiosity, resilience, and a passion for understanding government and public policy.
Education
Desjardins attended the College of William & Mary, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1994. She later studied Russian at Herzen State Pedagogical University in Saint Petersburg before completing a Master of Science in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in 1997. Her academic background in both economics and journalism has played a significant role in her ability to explain complicated legislative and fiscal issues.
Journalism Career
Lisa began her professional journalism career in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, working for WBTW-TV before becoming a freelance reporter for Reuters and The Sun News. She later joined WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, where she covered state politics, including the highly publicized Confederate flag debate.
In 2003, she joined the Associated Press in Washington, D.C., reporting on Congress, the Iraq War, Medicaid, and the 2004 presidential election. Her accurate and insightful reporting quickly established her as a respected political journalist.
CNN Career
Desjardins joined CNN Radio in 2005 as its Congressional Correspondent and later served as a Capitol Hill reporter for CNN. During nearly a decade at CNN, she covered:
- Presidential elections
- Congressional debates
- Federal budgets
- The 2010 Haiti earthquake
- Healthcare reform
- National political conventions
Her reporting on the Haiti earthquake contributed to CNN receiving a Sigma Delta Chi Award, while the network’s election coverage earned a Peabody Award.
PBS NewsHour
In October 2014, Lisa joined PBS NewsHour as a political correspondent. Less than a year later, she was promoted to political director, expanding her role in covering national politics and congressional affairs.
Today, she serves as one of PBS’s principal Capitol Hill correspondents, reporting on:
- Congress
- Federal legislation
- Presidential administrations
- National elections
- Budget negotiations
- Supreme Court developments
Her ability to translate complex political debates into understandable stories has made her one of PBS’s most trusted journalists.
January 6 Capitol Coverage
One of the defining moments of Lisa Desjardins’ career came on January 6, 2021, when she reported live from inside the U.S. Capitol during the attack on Congress. Despite the danger and chaos, she continued broadcasting and providing firsthand updates before being evacuated. She later returned to cover the resumption of the Electoral College certification process, helping PBS NewsHour deliver one of the most comprehensive live reports of the historic event.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Lisa has received numerous honors, including recognition associated with:
- Sigma Delta Chi Award
- George Foster Peabody Award (as part of CNN’s coverage team)
- PBS NewsHour’s Peabody-winning January 6 coverage
- National Radio Excellence Award
These achievements reflect her longstanding commitment to factual, in-depth political reporting.
Lisa Desjardins Age
Lisa Desjardins is 54 years old as of 2026. She was born on January 29, 1972, in Hawaii.
Lisa Desjardins Husband
Lisa Desjardins has been married to Jason Desjardins since October 6, 2007. Jason maintains a relatively private life and stays largely out of the public spotlight. Despite Lisa’s demanding career covering national politics, the couple has maintained a stable marriage for nearly two decades.
Lisa Desjardins Children
Lisa and Jason have one son, Maximo Maurice Desjardins, who was born in 2016. Lisa has occasionally shared glimpses of family life and has also publicly discussed her interest in adoption. While she values privacy, she has spoken warmly about balancing motherhood with the demanding responsibilities of political journalism.
Lisa Desjardins Family
Lisa has generally kept details about her parents and siblings out of the spotlight. Publicly available information confirms that her father served in the U.S. Navy before becoming an educator, while much of her extended family life remains private. She now lives with her husband and son in Alexandria, Virginia.
Lisa Desjardins Height
Lisa Desjardins is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall, according to commonly reported biographical sources.
Lisa Desjardins Salary
PBS does not publicly disclose employee salaries. However, media industry estimates generally suggest that Lisa Desjardins earns between $100,000 and $200,000 annually, reflecting her senior role as a Capitol Hill correspondent and her extensive experience in political journalism. These figures are estimates and have not been confirmed by PBS or Desjardins herself.
Lisa Desjardins Net Worth
As of 2026, Lisa Desjardins’ estimated net worth is between $1 million and $2 million, according to publicly available estimates. Her wealth has primarily been accumulated through more than two decades of journalism with organizations including PBS NewsHour, CNN Radio, and the Associated Press. Because she has never publicly disclosed her financial information, these figures should be viewed as estimates rather than verified totals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lisa Desjardins?
Lisa Desjardins is an American political journalist and Capitol Hill correspondent for PBS NewsHour. She previously worked for CNN Radio and the Associated Press.
How old is Lisa Desjardins?
She is 54 years old, born on January 29, 1972.
Is Lisa Desjardins married?
Yes. She has been married to Jason Desjardins since 2007.
Does Lisa Desjardins have children?
Yes. She and her husband have one son, Maximo Maurice, who was born in 2016.
How tall is Lisa Desjardins?
She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall.
What is Lisa Desjardins’ net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $1 million and $2 million, although no official financial figures have been released.