You see her every night under the bright studio lights of CNN, dissecting the latest Supreme Court ruling or narrating a high-stakes trial with a level of precision that makes most lawyers look like they’re winging it. Laura Coates has become a staple of primetime news, a woman who navigates the chaotic intersection of law and politics with what colleague Dana Bash calls a "velvet, rose-colored scalpel." But while her professional life is an open book—literally, she’s a New York Times bestselling author—her personal life is often a series of "wait, who is she married to?" searches.
The name that pops up most often is Dale Gordon.
It’s not just a footnote in a Wikipedia entry. The relationship between Laura Coates and Dale Gordon is actually one of those rare, grounding forces in the high-pressure world of cable news. While Coates is in front of the camera, Gordon is largely behind the scenes, yet he’s been the constant through her transition from federal prosecutor to television powerhouse.
The Missing Eyebrow and Other First Date Disasters
Most people want the "fairytale" version of how power couples meet. This isn't that.
Laura and Dale met in 2007, and honestly, it sounds like the plot of a stressful indie rom-com. Coates had just moved to New York City for a new job at a prestigious law firm. Her movers hadn't arrived with her clothes. She was stressed. To make matters worse, she had just suffered a catastrophic waxing incident that left her with exactly one eyebrow.
Imagine walking into a high-powered law firm orientation with a T.J. Maxx suit and half your facial hair missing. That was Laura.
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Dale Gordon was the one conducting the orientation that day. He was filling in for a sick colleague, probably not expecting to meet his future wife while explaining company benefits. Coates tried to hide the missing eyebrow by combing her hair over it, but eventually, she just owned it. She showed him. And remarkably, he didn’t run away.
They married in 2010. That’s 16 years of navigating the transition from "young lawyers in NYC" to "DC power family."
Who is Dale Gordon?
Despite the public nature of Laura’s job, Dale keeps a relatively low profile. He isn't a "news guy" in the traditional sense. While Laura spent her days as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Dale carved out a career as an IT engineer.
He’s basically the technical backbone of the household.
During the pandemic, when every news anchor was suddenly broadcasting from their basement, Dale’s expertise was a godsend. He helped build out the fully outfitted studio in their Northern Virginia home. This wasn't just about professional necessity; it was about family. Coates has been vocal about the fact that she built that home studio because she realized she wasn't seeing her kids enough.
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The Dynamics of a Multi-Career Household
It’s not easy being married to someone whose schedule is dictated by the 24-hour news cycle. Coates has hosted The Laura Coates Show on SiriusXM and currently anchors Laura Coates Live at 11 p.m. ET. That is a brutal schedule for any parent.
Together, they have two children: a son, Adrian, and a daughter, Sydney.
Coates isn't the type of celebrity who pretends everything is easy. She’s shared stories about being a Girl Scout troop leader while simultaneously preparing for a primetime broadcast. She’s even joked about almost getting kicked out of her son’s basketball game for "encouraging" a referee to take off his blindfold. You can take the prosecutor out of the courtroom, but you can’t take the "I’m right" out of the mother.
Real Challenges in the Public Eye
The relationship with Gordon has also been a support system through some of the more public hurdles Coates has faced. In 2018, the legendary Alex Trebek famously named Laura as one of his preferred successors for Jeopardy!.
The snub that followed—where she wasn't even invited to guest host—was a public sting. Having a partner who isn't in the "media bubble" often provides the perspective needed to survive those moments.
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Then there are the conversations at home. Laura has been incredibly transparent about the difficulty of being a Black mother in the current social climate. She once broke down on air after her daughter, Sydney, expressed that she didn't like the color of her skin. These are the raw, unscripted moments that Dale Gordon navigates with her away from the cameras.
What the Public Gets Wrong
There is often confusion online about Laura’s husband, mostly because she doesn't plaster him across Instagram every five minutes. Some people confuse her with other public figures named Coates, or they assume Dale must be a fellow journalist.
Nope. He’s the guy making sure the Wi-Fi works and the kids get to practice while Laura is explaining the latest federal indictment to three million people.
Actionable Takeaways for Balancing High-Stakes Careers
If you're looking at the life of Laura Coates and Dale Gordon as a template for your own "power couple" aspirations, there are a few practical realities to consider:
- Diversify Your Interests: Having one partner outside of your specific industry (like Dale being in IT while Laura is in Media) helps prevent "shop talk" from consuming 100% of your home life.
- The "Home Base" Strategy: Coates’ decision to build a professional-grade studio at home wasn't just a tech upgrade; it was a boundary-setting move to reclaim time with her children. If your job allows for it, invest in the infrastructure that brings you closer to your family.
- Authenticity Over Image: Their relationship started with a missing eyebrow. Starting a partnership on "realness" rather than a curated image usually leads to more longevity.
Laura Coates and Dale Gordon remain one of the most stable, albeit private, fixtures in the Washington D.C. orbit. In an industry known for burnout and high turnover, their decade-plus marriage seems to be the quiet engine behind one of the most successful careers in modern journalism.