Raj Mathai Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family, NBC Bay Area

Raj Mathai Biography: Acclaimed News Anchor and Journalist at NBC Bay Area

Age:

Raj Mathai was born on March 28, 1971, which makes him 53 years old as of 2024. He is a native of Trivandrum, Kerala, India.

His zodiac sign is Aries. He holds dual nationality and citizenship of Indian-American. His ethnicity is Indian-American.

Parents and Siblings:

Raj Mathai was born to TJ Mathew and his mother, whose name isn’t widely known. His father, TJ Mathew, ran magazines in India during the 1970s.

Raj spent his early childhood in Mumbai, India, until he was 7 years old, when his family moved to Palo Alto, California. This move significantly shaped his upbringing, as he spent most of his formative years in the United States.

Regarding siblings, there isn’t any public information available about Raj having any brothers or sisters. However, he comes from a family with a strong journalistic background.

His uncle, T. J. S. George, founded the English-language news magazine Asiaweek, and his cousins include best-selling authors Abraham Verghese and Jeet Thayil. Additionally, he is the nephew of Stanford Professor Thomas Kailath.

Wife:

Raj Mathai is married to Sonia Ahuja Mathai, who is the Chief Human Resource Officer at Globality, Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The couple shares a strong bond and often enjoys spending time together, including traveling and engaging in family activities.

They have two children: a daughter named Marlo Mathai, born in 2018, and a son whose name hasn’t been publicly disclosed. Raj and Sonia live in California with their children.

Height:

Raj Mathai stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm).

Career and Background:

Raj Mathai has had a remarkable career in journalism, spanning over two decades. He began his career as a sportscaster for NBC Bay Area (KNTV) in 1998.

Over the years, he transitioned to news anchoring and has been the primary news anchor at KNTV since then. He anchors the 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. newscasts.

Career Highlights

• Early Career: Raj started as a sportscaster for NBC Bay Area in 1998. He was the first Indian sportscaster for a network affiliate in the United States when he began at KYMA-DT in 1995.

• Transition to News Anchoring: In 2011, Raj transitioned to news anchoring and has been the main news anchor at KNTV since then.

Notable Assignments:

Raj Mathai has covered numerous significant events throughout his career, earning him a reputation as a dedicated and impactful journalist.

Here are Raj Mathai’s most notable and memorable reports, numbered:

1. 2013 Asiana Airlines Crash

   • Led KNTV’s coverage for seven consecutive hours and conducted the first interview with a survivor.

2. 2017 Las Vegas Massacre

   • Provided extensive coverage, offering real-time updates and in-depth analysis during the tragic event.

3. 2016 San Bernardino Shootings

   • Delivered continuous updates and key interviews throughout the incident.

4. 2024 Super Bowl

   • Covered the event with exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes looks, capturing the excitement and energy.

5. Olympic Coverage

   • Raj has reported on-location from the Olympics in Tokyo, London, Vancouver, Turin, Athens, and Salt Lake City. He has been an Olympic torchbearer three times, in 1996, 2002, and 2008.

6. Interviews with Prominent Figures

   • Hosted exclusive interviews with notable personalities such as Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and General Colin Powell in his series “The Interview”.

Awards and Recognition:

Raj Mathai has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, highlighting his exceptional contributions to journalism. Here are some of the most notable ones:

• 12-Time Emmy Award Winner: Raj has won regional Emmys for Best On-Camera Talent, Breaking News, Outstanding Documentary, and Outstanding Cultural Program for his coverage of the 2012 London Olympics.

• California State Legislature Honors: In 2024, Raj was honored by the California State Legislature for his contributions to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community.

• Olympic Torchbearer: Raj has been an Olympic torchbearer three times, in 1996, 2002, and 2008.

• San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors: Raj serves on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco Symphony, contributing to the cultural life of the Bay Area.

• Stanford School of Business Guest Lecturer: Raj is a regular guest lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, sharing his expertise and experiences with students.

• Asian Pacific Fund Board of Directors: Raj is also on the Board of Directors for the Asian Pacific Fund, supporting various initiatives and programs in the community.

Raj Mathai has worked with several close colleagues throughout his career at NBC Bay Area. Some of his notable colleagues include:

• Jessica Aguirre: Jessica is a longtime anchor and reporter at NBC Bay Area. She has co-anchored newscasts with Raj and often fills in for him during his assignments.

• Janelle Wang: Janelle is another prominent anchor at NBC Bay Area. She has also co-anchored newscasts with Raj and has a strong presence on the news team.

• Owen Thomas: Owen is a reporter and anchor at NBC Bay Area. He has worked closely with Raj on various news stories and breaking news coverage.

• Jon Miller: Jon is a well-known sportscaster who has teamed up with Raj for sports coverage, including the San Francisco Giants broadcasts.

• Mike Krukow: Mike is another sports commentator who has worked alongside Raj on sports coverage, bringing his expertise and insights to the broadcasts.

These colleagues have contributed to the success and reputation of NBC Bay Area’s news team, working together to deliver impactful and comprehensive news coverage.

Net Worth and Salary:

Raj Mathai’s estimated net worth is approximately $1 million to $5 million. His annual salary at NBC Bay Area is expected to reflect his experience and contribution, with estimates placing it in the range typical for senior news anchors at major regional networks.

Career Earnings

Raj Mathai has been a broadcast journalist for over two decades, working with various news organizations.

His career earnings have been bolstered by his numerous awards and recognitions, which have further solidified his reputation and value in the industry.

Investments and Philanthropy

In addition to his salary, Raj Mathai has made significant investments in real estate and other ventures.

He is also a dedicated philanthropist, serving on the boards of several organizations and hosting various charitable events.

Is Raj Mathai Married?

Yes, Raj Mathai is married to Sonia Mathai, the Chief Human Resource Officer at Globality, Inc. They have two children, a daughter named Marlo Mathai, born in 2018, and a son whose name hasn’t been publicly disclosed. They live in California.

How Old Is Raj Mathai?

Raj Mathai was born on March 28, 1971, which makes him 53 years old as of 2024.

Where Is Raj Mathai Working At?

Raj Mathai is currently working at NBC Bay Area (KNTV) in the San Francisco Bay Area. He serves as the primary news anchor and hosts the series The Interview, where he conducts exclusive interviews with prominent figures.

Raj Mathai is active on social media. He can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, where he shares updates about his work, personal life, and behind-the-scenes insights. You can follow him to get the latest news, interviews, and updates directly from him.