If you’ve spent any time flipping through Fox Business or catching a segment on The Five, you’ve definitely seen her. Sharp-witted. Unapologetically Southern. A total firebrand when it comes to economic policy. But despite being a staple on television for decades, there's one question that keeps popping up in search bars: how old is Dagan McDowell?
It’s kind of funny how we get so curious about the ages of people we see in our living rooms every day. Maybe it’s because she has that timeless energy—or maybe it’s the fact that she’s been a fixture in financial journalism since before most of us even knew what a 401(k) was.
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The Simple Math: Her Real Age
Let’s get the direct answer out of the way first. Mary Dagen McDowell was born on January 7, 1969.
As of right now, in early 2026, Dagen McDowell is 57 years old.
She just celebrated that birthday a few weeks ago. Born and raised in Brookneal, Virginia—a tiny spot in Campbell County—she carries that Virginia heritage in her voice and her attitude. Honestly, 57 looks pretty good on her, especially considering the high-stress, fast-paced world of live cable news she’s navigated for the better part of thirty years.
Why People Get Her Name (and Age) Mixed Up
You’ll notice a lot of people spell it "Dagan" when they search for her. It’s actually Dagen. It’s a family name, and she’s talked before about how she’s proud of those Irish roots.
The curiosity about her age usually stems from her career longevity. She didn't just pop up out of nowhere. She graduated from Wake Forest University back in 1991 with a degree in art history. Yeah, you read that right. Art history.
It’s a great example of how your college major doesn't have to define your life. After school, she didn't jump straight into finance. She actually moved to Colorado for a bit and worked what she calls "odd jobs." Basically, she was figuring it out like the rest of us.
When she eventually landed in New York City, she "fell into" a job as a financial journalist at the Institutional Investor’s newsletter division. She had zero experience. She just took a test, passed it, and started writing. That was the mid-90s, meaning she’s been a professional voice in the business world for over 30 years.
How Old Is Dagan McDowell Compared to Her Career Milestones?
If you track her career, you can see how she built her brand long before "influencers" were a thing.
- 1991: Graduated Wake Forest (Age 22).
- 1996: Started really making waves as a financial journalist (Age 27).
- 2003: Joined Fox News Channel as a business correspondent (Age 34).
- 2007: Became a founding anchor of Fox Business Network (Age 38).
- 2023: Launched The Bottom Line with Sean Duffy (Age 54).
- 2025: Expanded her role further as a co-host on The Big Money Show (Age 56).
She’s basically a Fox Business "OG." She was there on day one when the network launched in October 2007. That kind of staying power is rare in TV. Most people burn out or get cycled out for younger talent, but Dagen’s "tell-it-like-it-is" style seems to have given her some serious "job security."
The Personal Side of Dagen
People also ask about her age because they’re curious about her life off-screen. She’s been married to Jonas Max Ferris since 2005. They actually met on the set of Cashin' In. He’s an investment advisor and also a frequent guest on Fox, so you can only imagine what their dinner table conversations are like. Inflation, interest rates, and stock picks probably come up more than what’s on Netflix.
They live in New York City but also spend time in Connecticut. Despite the big-city life, she’s still very much a daughter of Virginia. She visits her parents back in Brookneal a couple of times a year.
A Quick Reality Check on "Dagan" Search Trends
There’s a weird phenomenon where certain celebrities get "age-checked" more than others. Dagen is one of them. It might be because she bridges the gap between old-school journalism and the newer, more "opinion-heavy" style of cable news. She’s as comfortable talking about the Federal Reserve as she is cracking jokes on Gutfeld!.
That versatility makes her feel younger to some and like a seasoned veteran to others.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Followers
If you’re looking to keep up with Dagen beyond just knowing her age, here’s how to actually find her expertise:
- Watch her evening show: The Bottom Line airs weekdays at 6 PM ET. It’s where she gets into the weeds of how Washington policy affects your wallet.
- Catch the midday shift: She’s now a regular on The Big Money Show at noon ET, which is a bit more market-focused.
- Don't forget the podcasts: She’s a frequent guest on various Fox News podcasts where she often gives more personal takes than she does on the main news desk.
Understanding the history behind the person helps contextualize the advice they give. When Dagen talks about a market crash or a housing bubble, she’s speaking from the experience of someone who lived through 2000 and 2008 as a working journalist. That’s the real value of her 57 years.
Whether you call her Dagan or Dagen, the fact remains she’s one of the most recognizable faces in business news for a reason. She’s put in the decades, learned the hard way, and isn't planning on slowing down anytime soon.
To get the most out of Dagen’s financial insights, you should cross-reference her market commentary with real-time data from the St. Louis Fed (FRED) or Morningstar. While her personality is a big draw, her longevity in the industry is built on a foundation of understanding complex economic cycles that she’s covered for over three decades.