You see him basically every day, standing in the back of the White House briefing room, hand raised, ready to throw a rhetorical curveball that’ll probably end up as a viral clip on X (formerly Twitter) by dinner. Whether he’s sparring with Karine Jean-Pierre or getting a "hot mic" shoutout from the President himself, Peter Doocy has become a fixture of American political theater. But because he’s been on our screens for what feels like forever, people are constantly wondering about the man behind the microphone. Specifically, how old is Peter Doocy, and how did he climb the Fox News ladder so fast?
The answer is actually simpler than the complex political questions he asks. Peter Doocy is 38 years old. He was born on July 21, 1987, in Washington, D.C.
Honestly, he looks a bit younger than that on camera, doesn’t he? Maybe it’s the clean-cut aesthetic or the fact that we still remember him as the "kid" who joined the network right out of college. But as of 2026, he’s firmly in his late thirties, balancing a high-pressure career with a growing family life that most viewers only catch glimpses of during holiday specials.
The Early Days in D.C. and New Jersey
Peter didn't just stumble into news. He’s the eldest child of Steve Doocy and Kathy Gerrity. Most people know Steve as the cheerful morning presence on Fox & Friends, but Peter’s childhood was a mix of the nation's capital and the suburbs of New Jersey. Growing up with a dad in the business meant the news was essentially the family business, even if his parents initially hoped he might take a different path. Steve once mentioned in an interview with People that they kind of wanted their kids to go into law or regular business.
That didn’t stick.
Peter headed off to Villanova University, where he spent his time studying political science. While he was there, he wasn't just hitting the books. He was already getting his feet wet in journalism by contributing to Palestra.net. By the time he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 2009, his career path was basically set in stone.
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A Fast-Track Career at Fox News
A lot of people assume Peter got his job just because of his last name. While having a famous dad certainly doesn't hurt for networking, the grind he put in was very real. He started at Fox News in 2009, immediately after graduation. He didn't start at the White House, though.
His early years were spent as a general assignment reporter. He bounced between New York and Chicago, covering everything from local tragedies to floods and midterms. If you want to know why he’s so unflappable in the briefing room today, look back at those early assignments. You learn to handle a lot of chaos when you’re reporting live from a disaster zone or a rowdy campaign trail.
Career Milestones That Defined Him
- The Bin Laden Interview: In 2014, Doocy landed a massive exclusive with Robert J. O’Neill, the Navy SEAL who claimed to have fired the shots that killed Osama bin Laden. That documentary was a ratings monster for Fox and put Peter on the map as more than just "Steve’s son."
- The 2020 Campaign Trail: This was a turning point. He was tasked with following Joe Biden’s campaign, often being the only reporter to get a question in during those small "socially distanced" events in Delaware.
- Senior White House Correspondent: After years of being the "White House Correspondent," Fox officially promoted him to Senior White House Correspondent in June 2024.
- The Sunday Briefing: In late 2025, he expanded his reach by co-anchoring a new show called The Sunday Briefing alongside Jacqui Heinrich.
The Viral Moments and the "S.O.B." Incident
You can’t talk about how old Peter Doocy is without talking about the "hot mic" moment that defined 2022. During a briefing about inflation, Peter shouted a question: "Do you think inflation is a political liability in the midterms?"
President Biden, thinking the mic was off (or maybe not caring), muttered, "What a stupid son of a bitch."
The clip went everywhere. But what happened next tells you a lot about Doocy’s professional demeanor. Biden called him within the hour to "clear the air," and Peter took it in stride, later joking about it on air. That thick skin is probably his most valuable asset. It’s a requirement for the job, especially when you’re the designated "opposition" voice in a room full of competing interests.
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Family Life and the Next Generation
Life isn’t all about shouting questions at the South Lawn, though. Peter’s personal life has been just as busy as his professional one lately. In April 2021, he married Hillary Vaughn, who is a powerhouse reporter in her own right for Fox Business.
They’ve been building a family quite quickly.
- Bridget Blake Doocy: Their daughter was born in February 2023.
- George Jack Doocy: Their son arrived in April 2025.
Having two toddlers at home while covering a presidency and anchoring a Sunday show is... a lot. It’s probably why he’s leaning more into that "family man" image that viewers seem to love. Steve Doocy is now a grandfather twice over, which makes for plenty of "grandpa" jokes during the rare moments Peter appears on Fox & Friends.
Why People Keep Searching for His Age
There’s a specific curiosity about Peter’s age because he represents a generational shift at Fox News. For decades, the network was defined by older, more traditional pundits. Doocy represents a younger, more social-media-savvy generation of journalists who understand that a 15-second exchange in a hallway can be just as impactful as a 60-minute sit-down interview.
At 38, he’s in that "sweet spot" of journalism. He’s old enough to have nearly two decades of experience under his belt, but young enough to still have the energy for the grueling travel schedules that come with covering the President.
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Common Misconceptions About Peter Doocy
A lot of people think he’s in his 40s because he’s been on TV for so long. Or, on the flip side, some think he’s a "nepotism baby" who just started. Neither is quite right. He’s been a working journalist for 17 years.
Another weird one? People often think he and his dad are brothers. Steve Doocy has mentioned that people mistake them for siblings about 30% to 40% of the time. Steve is roughly 30 years older than Peter (born in 1956), but apparently, the "Doocy genes" are strong enough to confuse the casual viewer.
What’s Next for the Senior Correspondent?
As we move through 2026, Peter’s role seems to be shifting toward more long-form hosting. While he still holds the front-row seat at the White House, his work on The Sunday Briefing suggests Fox is grooming him for a permanent anchor chair in the future.
Whether you love his questioning style or find it frustrating, there’s no denying he’s become one of the most recognizable faces in news. He’s managed to navigate the transition from "the reporter's son" to a "Senior Correspondent" while keeping his own distinct voice.
How to stay updated on Peter Doocy's reporting:
- Watch Fox News Channel during weekday White House briefings (usually mid-afternoon).
- Tune into The Sunday Briefing for a deeper dive into the week's political maneuvers.
- Follow his official social media accounts for behind-the-scenes clips from the press pool.
- Check out the Fox & Friends "Doocy Diner" segments when the family gets together for cooking and news updates.
If you’re interested in following the trajectory of modern political journalism, keeping an eye on Peter’s evolution from a 22-year-old rookie to a 38-year-old veteran is a pretty good place to start. He’s proven that regardless of the last name, you have to show up every day and ask the questions—even if the person you’re asking isn't always happy to see you.