If you’ve ever tuned into SiriusXM on a random Tuesday morning, you know the voice. It’s gravelly, slightly neurotic, and somehow more familiar than your own uncle’s. But then you look at a photo of the guy—the long curls, the tinted glasses—and you have to wonder: how is he still doing this? Howard Stern is 72 years old. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip. He was born on January 12, 1954, in Jackson Heights, Queens. To put that in perspective, Eisenhower was in the White House when Howard took his first breath. He’s outlasted the Sony Walkman, the rise and fall of terrestrial radio, and about a dozen "replacements" who were supposed to take his crown.
Most people his age are deep into a retirement of Florida golf or aggressive birdwatching. Howard? He just signed another massive deal.
The Birthday That Changed Everything
Just a few days ago, on January 12, 2026, Howard hit that 72-year mark. He didn't celebrate it by fading into the background. Instead, he had Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in the studio talking about their new flick The Rip. It’s wild because, for a while there in late 2025, the rumor mill was convinced he was done.
There was all this chatter about him being "canceled" or "too woke" or simply too expensive for SiriusXM to keep on the books. People were literally looking for new jobs in the halls of the Sirius building because they thought the lights were going out. Then, in mid-December, he dropped the bombshell: a new three-year extension.
He’s staying through 2028. But there’s a catch.
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Why Howard Stern’s Age is Changing the Show
He isn't the same guy who threw bologna at strippers in the 90s. Let’s be real. At 72, Howard is more interested in talking about transcendental meditation, his painting hobby, or why he’s still terrified of germs. The "shock" has mostly been replaced by what many consider the best interviewing skills in the business.
The new contract reflects that shift. He’s doing fewer shows—roughly 75 a year instead of 100. He basically told his audience, "I’m old as f–k, and I need me time." Can you blame him? He’s been working since he was 22, starting at WRNW in Briarcliff Manor. That is half a century of being behind a microphone.
- The Schedule: He’s moving toward a "quality over quantity" model.
- The Energy: You can hear the physical toll sometimes, but the mental sharpness hasn't dipped.
- The Legacy: He knows he’s in the "legacy" phase of his career.
Is 72 the New 50 in Radio?
You look at guys like Mick Jagger or even Joe Biden, and you realize our idea of what an "old man" looks like has shifted. Howard is fit. He’s tall—about 6'5"—and he’s obsessed with his health. He famously eats a very specific, somewhat restrictive diet (no one forgets the "half the pasta in the trash" story).
But being the age of Howard Stern means navigating a world that has changed under your feet. He grew up in an era where you could say almost anything. Now, he’s a 70-something billionaire living in a $137 million property portfolio, trying to stay relevant to a generation that listens to podcasts on 2x speed.
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It’s a weird tension. He’s the elder statesman of a medium he used to try and blow up.
What Critics Get Wrong
A lot of people think he’s lost his edge because he isn't fighting the FCC anymore. But if you listen closely, the edge has just moved. It’s now about psychological surgery. He gets A-list stars to admit things to him that they wouldn't tell their own therapists.
That kind of skill doesn't come from being 25 and hungry. It comes from being 72 and having seen it all. He isn't trying to impress anyone anymore, which, ironically, makes the show more honest.
The "Retirement" Hoax of 2025
Remember that weird stunt with Andy Cohen? Over the summer of 2025, things got messy. There were reports that Howard was being replaced. Some tabloids claimed he’d "totally shut down" and was refusing to negotiate.
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It turns out, he was just tired. He admitted on air that he spent the summer contemplating if he even wanted to keep going. He joked during his contract announcement, "I hope I don't die during this contract." It was a classic Stern moment—dark, self-deprecating, and painfully honest about his own mortality.
Final Take: What This Means for You
If you’re a fan, you’ve got at least three more years. If you’re a hater, you’ve got at least three more years of him being the highest-paid guy in the room. Howard Stern at 72 is a reminder that you don't have to quit just because the calendar says so.
He has figured out a way to "have it all," as he put it: the massive paycheck, the creative outlet, and the free time to actually enjoy his life with Beth and their army of foster cats.
Practical Takeaways for the Stern Fan:
- Check the new schedule: With only 75 shows a year, "live" days are going to be more like events. Don't expect him there every Monday through Wednesday.
- Download the app: Most of the value now is in the archives and the video clips, which SiriusXM is leaning into heavily to justify his salary.
- Appreciate the interviews: We are likely seeing the final era of the "Mega-Interview." When Howard finally does call it quits, that long-form, deep-dive style might go with him.
He might be 72, but in the world of audio, Howard Stern is still the one everyone else is chasing.