Melanie Zanona is a respected American journalist and political reporter known for her coverage of Capitol Hill and congressional affairs. She serves as a Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News, where she breaks news on congressional leadership, legislative developments, and national politics. The Chicago native has built a reputation as an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience covering some of the most talked-about stories in American politics.
Melanie Zanona Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Melanie Laura Zanona |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | March 29, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Current residence | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) |
| Weight | 121 lbs (55 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Jason Robert Millison |
| Children | Yes (details private) |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Profession | Journalist, Capitol Hill Correspondent |
| Net worth | $500,000 – $1 million (estimated) |
Who is Melanie Zanona?
Melanie Zanona is a Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News who reports on congressional affairs and national politics.
She joined NBC News in February 2025 after working as a senior congressional reporter for Punchbowl News. The journalist has become known for her ability to break major political stories and provide analysis on House leadership dynamics.
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Melanie developed an interest in journalism at a young age. She pursued her passion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in News-Editorial Journalism in 2010.
Her career has taken her through several major news organizations, including CQ Roll Call, The Hill, Politico, CNN, and Punchbowl News.
Melanie’s reporting focuses on congressional leadership, legislative action, and political strategy. She has covered major events including presidential elections, impeachment proceedings, and government shutdowns.
Her work has earned her recognition as an award-winning journalist who provides detailed analysis of complex political developments.
How old is Melanie Zanona? Age and birthday
Melanie Zanona is 37 years old as of January 2026. She was born on March 29, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois.
Her zodiac sign is Aries, which is associated with traits like determination and leadership. The journalist celebrates her birthday every year on March 29.
Melanie Zanona’s height, weight, and measurements
Melanie Zanona stands 5 feet 4 inches tall (163 cm) and weighs around 121 pounds (55 kg). The political reporter maintains a professional appearance that suits her role as a television correspondent.
She has brown hair and brown eyes. Her physical measurements reflect a healthy lifestyle balanced with her demanding career.
Career
Early career beginnings
Melanie Zanona started her journalism career at CQ Roll Call after graduating from the University of Illinois in 2010.
She worked as a legislative action reporter before transitioning to a policy reporter role. This position gave her the foundation to understand congressional procedures and legislative processes.
At CQ Roll Call, she covered healthcare policy and congressional committees. Her work during this period helped her develop relationships with congressional staffers and lawmakers. She learned the ins and outs of Capitol Hill reporting during these formative years.
The Hill and Politico years
Melanie joined The Hill as a staff reporter, where she primarily covered House leadership. Her reporting at The Hill earned her attention for breaking stories about congressional dynamics and political strategy. She spent several years building her reputation as a reliable source for congressional news.
In 2019, Melanie moved to Politico as a congressional reporter and author of the Huddle newsletter. At Politico, she wrote daily morning newsletters that provided congressional insiders with essential updates.
Her work at Politico established her as a must-read journalist for anyone following Capitol Hill developments.
CNN Capitol Hill reporter
Melanie joined CNN as a Capitol Hill reporter in July 2021. This role put her on national television and expanded her audience.
At CNN, she covered major stories including the aftermath of January 6, multiple congressional investigations, and leadership battles in the House of Representatives.
Her reporting at CNN focused on the Republican Party’s internal divisions and House leadership contests. She broke several exclusive stories about behind-the-scenes negotiations and power struggles. The position raised her profile as a political journalist with deep sources on Capitol Hill.
Punchbowl News and NBC News
In July 2024, Melanie joined Punchbowl News as a senior congressional reporter. Punchbowl News is a subscription-based political news outlet founded by former Politico journalists.
She continued her coverage of congressional affairs and maintained her reputation for breaking news stories.
In September 2024, Melanie began contributing to NBC News while working at Punchbowl News. By February 2025, she officially joined NBC News as a Capitol Hill Correspondent. This move marked another milestone in her career progression through top-tier news organizations.
As of January 2026, Melanie reports for NBC News across multiple platforms including NBC Nightly News, TODAY, MSNBC, and NBCNews.com.
She covers congressional leadership, legislative developments, and political strategy. Her reporting continues to focus on House and Senate dynamics.
Awards and recognition
Melanie has been described as an award-winning journalist by NBC News and other media outlets. Her decade-plus experience covering Capitol Hill has earned her recognition from peers and industry professionals. She is known for her ability to explain complex political situations in clear terms.
The journalist has appeared on numerous television programs to provide political analysis. She is frequently quoted in major publications and serves as a source for other reporters covering Washington politics. Her party trick, as she describes it, is identifying lawmakers by the back of their heads.
What is Melanie Zanona’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Melanie Zanona’s net worth is estimated at $500,000 to $1 million. She has built this wealth through her successful journalism career at multiple top-tier news organizations. Her annual salary at NBC News has not been publicly disclosed.
Previous reports estimated her salary at CNN and other outlets ranged between $75,000 and $100,000 per year.
As a Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News, she likely earns a competitive salary reflecting her experience and expertise. Her income comes primarily from her journalism work.
The exact figure of her net worth remains speculative as Melanie keeps her financial details private. She has earned money through reporting positions at CQ Roll Call, The Hill, Politico, CNN, Punchbowl News, and now NBC News. Her career trajectory shows steady advancement through increasingly prestigious positions.
Is Melanie Zanona married? Husband, dating history, and children
Melanie Zanona is married to Jason Robert Millison. The couple tied the knot on July 20, 2013, in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. They have been together for over a decade and maintain a strong relationship despite their demanding careers.
Who is Jason Robert Millison?
Jason Robert Millison works in communications, media, and public affairs. He has built a career that includes roles in sports business, podcasting, and digital strategy. Jason previously worked as an Account Executive with the Washington Nationals baseball team.
He co-hosts the Gray Area podcast, which focuses on storytelling and media projects. Jason’s professional background includes work at Comcast SportsNet Chicago and various communications roles. He has experience in public relations and media operations.
Children and family life
Melanie and Jason have children together, but they keep details about their family life private. The couple prefers not to share information about their children’s names or ages publicly. They value their privacy and maintain boundaries between their professional and personal lives.
The family lives in Washington, D.C., where both Melanie and Jason work. They also have a boxer dog named Bodie, who occasionally appears in social media posts. Melanie has mentioned her love for cooking Italian food and spending time with her pet.
Relationship privacy
The couple maintains a low-profile relationship despite Melanie’s public career. They rarely share personal details on social media or in interviews. This approach allows them to keep their marriage and family life separate from professional scrutiny.
Melanie Zanona’s family background
Melanie Zanona was born to parents Alan Zanona and Kelly Zanona. She was raised in Chicago, Illinois, where her family roots run deep.
Her grandfather, Aldo Zanona, passed away in 2022 at age 96 and was survived by his sons Alan and Joseph.
Her Italian-American heritage influences her personal life. Melanie has mentioned her passion for cooking Italian food, a connection to her family background. She grew up in a supportive family environment that encouraged her career ambitions.
The journalist is a proud Chicago native who maintains strong connections to her hometown. She roots for Chicago sports teams and frequently mentions her city pride. Her upbringing in Chicago shaped her work ethic and professional values.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Melanie Zanona has a strong social media presence on multiple platforms. She uses Instagram (@mzanona) with over 21,000 followers, where she shares professional updates and occasional personal moments. Her Instagram bio identifies her as a Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News.
On X (formerly Twitter) (@MZanona), Melanie has over 94,000 followers as of January 2026. She joined the platform in June 2009 and uses it extensively for breaking news, political analysis, and professional networking. Her X bio states “Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News. Chi till I die.”
Melanie primarily uses social media for professional purposes. She shares breaking news stories, political insights, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of congressional events. Her posts often include photos from Capitol Hill and interactions with lawmakers.
Her social media content focuses on congressional developments and political reporting. She maintains a professional tone while occasionally showing her personality through posts about Chicago sports and her dog Bodie. Her engagement on social media reflects her status as a well-connected political journalist.
Fast facts about Melanie Zanona
- Melanie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010 with a degree in News-Editorial Journalism.
- She has worked at six major news organizations: CQ Roll Call, The Hill, Politico, CNN, Punchbowl News, and NBC News.
- Her party trick is identifying members of Congress by the back of their heads, a skill developed from years of Capitol Hill reporting.
- Melanie is a passionate Chicago sports fan who roots for her hometown teams despite living in Washington, D.C.
- She owns a boxer dog named Bodie, who appears occasionally in her social media posts.
- Melanie enjoys cooking Italian food in her spare time, reflecting her Italian-American heritage.
- She has covered major political events including presidential elections, impeachment proceedings, and government shutdowns.
- Her reporting has appeared on NBC Nightly News, TODAY, MSNBC, and in major print publications.
- Melanie started her career covering healthcare policy before transitioning to congressional leadership reporting.
- She maintains a private personal life despite her public career, rarely sharing details about her family.
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Wrapping up
Melanie Zanona is an accomplished political journalist who has built a successful career covering Capitol Hill.
At 37 years old, she serves as a Capitol Hill Correspondent for NBC News after working at several prestigious news organizations.
The Chicago native is married to Jason Robert Millison and maintains a balance between her demanding career and private family life.
With an estimated net worth of $500,000 to $1 million and over a decade of journalism experience, Melanie continues to be a trusted voice in political reporting.
References
- NBC News. “Melanie Zanona joins NBC News as Capitol Hill Correspondent”.
- Talking Biz News. “NBC News hires Zanona as Capitol Hill correspondent”.
- IMDb. “Melanie Zanona – Biography”.
- Leading Authorities. “Melanie Zanona, Punchbowl News Senior Congressional Reporter”.
- Politico. “Melanie Zanona Staff Profile”.
- Punchbowl News. “Melanie Zanona Author Page”.
- Legacy.com. “Aldo Zanona Obituary”.
- X (Twitter). “Melanie Zanona (@MZanona)”.
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