Mary Dagen McDowell is a business news anchor, television personality, and financial journalist best known as the co-host of The Bottom Line and The Big Money Show on Fox Business Network. With a sharp wit and deep understanding of financial markets, she has become one of the most recognizable faces in business journalism. McDowell is married to economist Jonas Max Ferris and has built a career spanning over two decades in financial media.
Dagen McDowell Biography
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Mary Dagen McDowell |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | January 7, 1969 |
| Age | 57 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Brookneal, Campbell County, Virginia, USA |
| Current residence | Virginia, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Irish-American |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 119 lbs (54 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Body measurements | 34-24-36 inches (estimated) |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Jonas Max Ferris (married 2005) |
| Children | None |
| High school | St. Catherine’s School, Richmond (Class of 1987) |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University (BA in Art History, 1991) |
| Profession | Business news anchor, TV personality, financial journalist |
| Net worth | $5 million (estimated, as of 2026) |
Who is Dagen McDowell?
Dagen McDowell is a founding anchor of Fox Business Network who has made her mark as one of the leading voices in financial journalism.
Born and raised in Brookneal, Virginia, she comes from an Irish-American family with deep roots in Campbell County.
McDowell joined Fox News Channel in 2003 and became a founding anchor when Fox Business Network launched in 2007.
She currently co-hosts two major shows on Fox Business: The Bottom Line alongside Brian Brenberg (weekdays at 6 PM ET) and The Big Money Show with Taylor Riggs, Brian Brenberg, and Jackie DeAngelis (weekdays at noon ET).
Known for her Southern charm, quick wit, and no-nonsense approach to financial reporting, McDowell has earned respect from viewers and colleagues alike.
How old is Dagen McDowell? Age and birthday
Dagen McDowell is 57 years old as of January 2026. She was born on January 7, 1969, in Brookneal, Virginia, making her zodiac sign Capricorn. She celebrates her birthday every year on January 7.
What are Dagen McDowell’s height, weight, and body measurements?
Dagen McDowell stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall (168 cm) and weighs around 119 pounds (54 kg).
She has blonde hair and blue eyes. Her body measurements are estimated at 34-24-36 inches, based on public sources.
Dagen McDowell’s education background
McDowell grew up in Campbell County, Virginia, and attended St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia, where she graduated in 1987.
She went on to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History in 1991.
Despite studying art history, McDowell found her calling in financial journalism after graduation. Her liberal arts education gave her strong analytical and communication skills that have served her well throughout her career.
Career: How did Dagen McDowell become famous?
Early career beginnings
After graduating from Wake Forest University, Dagen McDowell began her career as a financial journalist at the Institutional Investor’s Newsletter Division.
This position gave her the foundation in financial reporting that would shape her future career. She later worked as a writer for SmartMoney magazine, where she honed her skills in making complex financial topics accessible to everyday readers.
Fox News and Fox Business Network
McDowell joined Fox News Channel in 2003 as a business correspondent. She appeared regularly on programs like Your World with Neil Cavuto, bringing her insights on market trends and economic policy. Her expertise and engaging personality quickly made her a valued contributor to the network.
When Fox Business Network launched in October 2007, McDowell was among its founding anchors. She co-hosted the FBN simulcast of Imus in the Morning from 2011 to 2015, providing business news updates to the program’s audience.
After the show ended following Don Imus’s retirement in 2019, McDowell continued to expand her role at the network.
Cashin’ In success
From the early 2000s, McDowell appeared as a weekly panelist on Cashin’ In, a Fox Business program that featured debates about stock picks and market strategies.
She won the Cashin’ In Challenge three consecutive years in 2013, 2014, and 2015, defeating the other panelists who were all professional money managers. This achievement showcased her financial acumen and stock-picking abilities.
Mornings with Maria
McDowell co-hosted Mornings with Maria alongside Maria Bartiromo from 2015 to 2023. The show covered business news and featured interviews with top business leaders, economists, and policymakers.
Her partnership with Bartiromo brought strong ratings and established her as a morning television staple for business news viewers.
The Bottom Line and The Big Money Show
In December 2022, Fox Business announced that McDowell would co-host a new evening program called The Bottom Line. The show initially paired her with Sean Duffy, taking on hotly debated issues in business and politics.
When Duffy left in late 2025 after being nominated as Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump, Brian Brenberg joined McDowell as co-host starting in December 2025.
McDowell also co-hosts The Big Money Show, which airs weekdays at noon. The program features Taylor Riggs, Brian Brenberg, and Jackie DeAngelis discussing business topics that impact everyone from Wall Street to Main Street.
What is Dagen McDowell’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Dagen McDowell’s net worth is estimated at $5 million. She earns an estimated annual salary of around $350,000 from Fox Business Network for her work as an anchor and correspondent.
McDowell has built her wealth through more than two decades in financial journalism, including her roles at Fox Business, Fox News, and previous positions at financial publications.
Her income comes from her hosting duties on The Bottom Line and The Big Money Show, as well as her regular appearances on other Fox News and Fox Business programs.
The typical Fox News reporter earns around $74,000 annually, but senior anchors and co-hosts like McDowell command significantly higher salaries.
Is Dagen McDowell married? Husband and relationship status
Dagen McDowell is married to Jonas Max Ferris, an economist, investment advisor, and economic analyst.
The couple met in the early 2000s when they both appeared as panelists on the Fox Business show Cashin’ In. Their relationship began in an unusual way as they frequently argued and debated financial topics on air.
At the time they met, McDowell was married to someone else, while Ferris was single. After McDowell’s first marriage ended, she and Ferris began dating.
Their on-screen chemistry and shared passion for finance translated into a real-life romance. They married in 2005 and have been together for over 20 years.
Jonas Max Ferris was born in 1971 in Southfield, Massachusetts. He is an economist and investment advisor who appears regularly on Fox Business Network programs.
Ferris co-founded MaxFunds.com, a mutual fund research and rating website. As of 2026, his net worth is estimated at $5 million, matching his wife’s estimated wealth.
Does Dagen McDowell have children?
No, Dagen McDowell and Jonas Max Ferris do not have children. The couple has chosen to focus on their careers and lives together without starting a family.
They currently live in Virginia with their pets, including senior rescue dogs that McDowell frequently shares about on social media.
Dagen McDowell’s family background
Dagen McDowell was born into a family of Irish descent in Campbell County, Virginia. Her parents attended the University of Virginia, where they met.
She has a brother whose wife and daughter also live in Virginia, but McDowell keeps most details about her family private.
In May 2023, McDowell shared on social media that her mother had passed away from stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her spinal column and pelvis.
She has been open about the grief and loss she experienced, posting tributes to her mother on anniversaries and special occasions. The loss deeply affected McDowell and influenced her perspective on health and wellness.
Dagen McDowell’s weight loss transformation
McDowell has undergone a notable weight loss transformation over the years. At her heaviest, she weighed over 300 pounds.
After her mother’s death, she decided to focus on her health and well-being. Through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, McDowell lost approximately 185 pounds.
Her weight loss approach included cutting out processed foods and sugars, focusing on whole foods like high-quality proteins and fiber-rich vegetables, and committing to regular exercise including cardio, strength training, and flexibility workouts.
She has been open about her journey and has inspired many viewers who have followed her transformation.
McDowell’s current weight is around 119 pounds, and she maintains her health through continued healthy eating and active lifestyle habits. She practices yoga and meditation as part of her wellness routine.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Dagen McDowell has 134,000 followers on Instagram (@dagenmcdowell) where she shares behind-the-scenes moments from her shows, photos of her rescue dogs, and tributes to loved ones. Her Instagram bio reads: “Fox News + Fox Business. I will speak to your dog before I speak to you.”
McDowell is also active on X (formerly Twitter) with the handle @dagenmcdowell, where she has over 423,000 followers.
She joined the platform in July 2009 and uses it to share news updates, engage with viewers, and promote her shows. She regularly posts about business news, political commentary, and personal interests.
Her social media content reflects her personality: straightforward, witty, and passionate about both financial markets and animal rescue.
She frequently shares videos and photos of her senior rescue dog, using hashtags like #seniordog and #rescuedogsofinstagram.
Fast facts about Dagen McDowell
- Dagen McDowell graduated with a degree in Art History from Wake Forest University, not business or journalism.
- She won the Cashin’ In Challenge three consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015), defeating professional money managers.
- McDowell was a founding anchor of Fox Business Network when it launched in 2007.
- She and her husband Jonas Max Ferris met while debating financial topics on television and frequently argued before falling in love.
- McDowell lost approximately 185 pounds through diet and exercise after deciding to focus on her health following her mother’s death.
- She graduated from St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia, in 1987 and returned as a keynote speaker for Career Day in 2012.
- Both Dagen and her husband Jonas have an estimated net worth of $5 million each.
- She is passionate about animal rescue and frequently posts about her senior rescue dogs on social media.
- McDowell comes from an Irish-American family with roots in Campbell County, Virginia.
- She currently co-hosts two daily shows on Fox Business: The Bottom Line (6 PM ET) and The Big Money Show (noon ET).
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Wrapping up
Dagen McDowell has established herself as one of the most respected voices in business journalism. From her small-town Virginia roots to becoming a founding anchor at Fox Business Network, she has built a career on financial expertise, sharp wit, and authentic personality.
As co-host of The Bottom Line and The Big Money Show, McDowell continues to inform and engage viewers with her insights on markets, economics, and policy.
Her personal journey, including her weight loss transformation and devotion to animal rescue, has made her relatable to audiences beyond the business world.
References
- Wikipedia. “Dagen McDowell”.
- Fox Business. “Dagen McDowell – Fox Business”.
- IMDb. “Dagen McDowell – Biography”.
- Celebrity Net Worth. “Dagen McDowell Net Worth”.
- Market Realist. “Dagen McDowell Husband: What Is Jonas Max Ferris’s Net Worth?”.
- St. Catherine’s School. “Alumnae Inspire at Career Day”.
- Fox News. “Dagen McDowell | Fox News”.
- Instagram. “Dagen McDowell (@dagenmcdowell)”.
- The Famous People. “Dagen McDowell Biography”.
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