Emily Compagno has become one of Fox News Channel’s most recognizable co-hosts. Born November 9, 1979, this 45-year-old television personality stands 5 feet 3 inches tall and brings together law, sports, and media in her career. She co-hosts the daytime talk show Outnumbered while appearing regularly on The Five and Gutfeld!
Her path to broadcasting wasn’t typical for a Fox News host. Before television, she worked as a criminal defense attorney and served as captain of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad. Her journey includes a life-changing USO tour to Iraq that led her to write the New York Times bestseller “Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops.”
Emily Compagno Bio/Wiki
| Fast Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Emily Rose Compagno |
| Born | November 9, 1979 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 45 years |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) |
| Education | B.A. in Political Science – University of WashingtonJ.D. – University of San Francisco School of Law |
| Profession | Attorney, TV Host, Author, Former NFL Cheerleader |
| Known For | Co-host of Outnumbered on Fox News Channel |
| Other TV Roles | The Five, Gutfeld!, FOX True Crime Podcast |
| Book | Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops (NYT Bestseller) |
| Spouse | Married Peter Riley (2017); announced engagement to another partner in 2024 |
| Children | None publicly known |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Net Worth (2025) | Approx. $2 million (Celebrity Net Worth) |
| Residence | New York City, USA |
Emily Compagno Early Life & Family Legacy
Emily Rose Compagno was born at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. She grew up in El Cerrito, California with two sisters, Natalie and Julietta. Her parents, Katherine Bertsch Compagno and John Compagno, raised their daughters with strong values rooted in service.
Military heritage flows through multiple generations of the Compagno family. Her father John served as a Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps and later worked as director of a blood bank. Two uncles served in the U.S. Army, while her great-grandfather and many other relatives fought in World War I.
The most moving family story comes from 1930 when Emily’s great-great-grandmother Rosa joined the Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage. She traveled overseas to visit the graves of her children who died in World War I. This generational sacrifice shaped Emily’s lifelong commitment to U.S. veterans and military families.
Education & The Fighter Pilot Dream
Emily Compagno dreamed of becoming a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and then an astronaut. She attended Space Academy, Aviation Challenge, and the United States Air Force Academy summer scientific seminar. During high school, she interned at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory astrophysics department.
She earned an Air Force ROTC scholarship to the University of Washington where she received the Cadet of the Quarter Award. She graduated with a B.A. in political science while sailing around the world to approximately 13 countries on a study abroad program. That international exposure opened her eyes to global challenges and influenced her decision to pursue law.
Right before signing her military commitment, she learned devastating news. At 5’3″, she was too short to qualify as a fighter pilot. She pivoted toward law school instead of letting this setback define her future.
Emily Compagno Legal Career
Emily Compagno earned her J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2006. She served as president of the Federalist Society and Articles Editor of the Intellectual Property Law Bulletin. She worked as a Senior Judge Judicial Extern for Judge John T. Noonan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Her legal education extended internationally with positions in Cape Town, South Africa and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After passing the California bar, she worked as a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco specializing in white collar and juvenile cases. She later passed the Washington State bar, expanding her practice across multiple jurisdictions.
From 2010 to 2014, she served as a federal managing attorney and Acting Director at the Social Security Administration. Her work covered fraud cases, regulatory and administrative law, contracts, labor and employment law, and union matters. This executive-level role placed her in one of the ten largest U.S. government agencies.
Oakland Raiders Cheerleader
One unexpected chapter came when Emily Compagno became a professional cheerleader while practicing law. She served as captain of the Oakland Raiders cheerleading squad, the Raiderettes, from 2007 to 2010. Her legal colleagues encouraged and supported her when she tried out for the team.
In a 2000s SFGate article, she explained keeping her cheerleading separate from her professional life and never displayed her team poster in the office. As Compagno told TheWrap, “The common denominator in my background is I was always pursuing a passion mixed with an opportunity.” She emphasized that cheerleading wasn’t lucrative but something she would do even for no pay.
The NFL selected her as an ambassador to promote the brand in Beijing and Shanghai. She was one of only five NFL cheerleaders chosen by the USO to visit U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. That 2009 tour would transform her perspective on service and faith.
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The USO Tour That Changed Everything
In June 2009, Emily Compagno traveled to Iraq and Kuwait with four fellow Raiderettes for a two-week USO tour. When they arrived at the Sadr City Joint Security Station forward operating base, everyone expressed shock because no celebrities ever visited this dangerous location. The Black Hawk helicopter meant to transport them back was diverted for a medical evacuation, leaving them stranded overnight.
Lieutenant Colonel Tim Karcher told them, “I’ve got three daughters at home, and I’m not going to sleep until you girls are safe and sound out of here.” They spent the entire night with soldiers in the courtyard, laughing and talking. The soldiers talked about the visit for days before and after, describing how meaningful it was to have visitors from home.
Three days later, those same soldiers ran over an IED. Tim Karcher lost both legs and died multiple times before being resuscitated. On the way back from his medevac during a dust storm, the convoy hit another IED, and Sergeant Timothy David lost his life on his sixth tour of duty.
Tim Karcher later said, “Prayer is what saved my life multiple times” and “God promised me eternal salvation, not eternal legs.” His faith in the face of devastating injuries became central to Emily’s later work. She maintains a friendship with Karcher to this day and views the experience as teaching her about the fragility of life and the importance of faith.
Emily Compagno: Transition To Television
Emily Compagno made her first television appearance in 2015 on “Dr. Drew On Call.” She slowly built her on-air presence through occasional appearances before officially joining Fox News as a contributor and legal analyst in December 2018. Her legal background gave her unique credibility when discussing criminal justice topics.
She served as a semi-regular co-host of The Five and appeared on programs like Gutfeld! offering legal analysis. On March 9, 2020, “Crimes That Changed America” on Fox Nation debuted with Compagno as host. The show examined how specific criminal cases shaped American law and society.
In January 2021, she was named a permanent co-host of Outnumbered alongside Harris Faulkner and Kayleigh McEnany. This promotion marked her transition from occasional contributor to full-time daily host at 12 PM ET. She now balances multiple Fox News Channel programs while maintaining her legal expertise.
The Fox True Crime Podcast
In February 2023, Fox News announced that Compagno would host “The FOX True Crime Podcast” on Fox News Radio. The podcast debuted in the top 10 of all True Crime podcasts. Her background as a criminal defense attorney and federal attorney provides unique insight into the cases she examines.
The podcast breaks down complex legal cases for general audiences. She focuses on educating listeners about the criminal justice system while examining high-profile cases. Her approach combines prosecutorial knowledge with storytelling that makes legal concepts accessible to people without law degrees.
Bestselling Author
Emily Compagno wrote the #1 New York Times bestselling book “Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops” published by Fox News Books. The book shares firsthand accounts from veterans about how combat experiences led them to faith. It draws from her USO tour experiences and military family connections spanning multiple wars.
The book features stories from Vietnam POW camps, World War II battles, Middle East special operations, and Gold Star families. Emily conducts live speaking events featuring these stories, describing her approach as “a little bit angel and a little bit outlaw.” She views her role as amplifying veterans’ voices rather than speaking for them.
She told Barrett Media, “I’m very conscious that every time I open my mouth on Fox, I’m a steward of the viewer’s time.” Her mantra is “Educate, inform, inspire and entertain.” She emphasizes that each veteran has a unique voice about what led them to faith.
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Faith & Daily Practice
Emily Compagno is Roman Catholic and maintains a rigorous daily spiritual routine. The first thing she does upon waking is pray the Prayer of Jabez. She reads her Jesus Calling devotional every morning and keeps copies at both home and work.
She listens to daily sermons during her commute and reads the Jesus Listens prayer devotional throughout the day. “Prayer is my constant, my fundamental state, my perpetual conversation,” she explained. She prays continuously from opening her eyes in the morning until closing them at night.
Her faith shapes her professional life as she navigates breaking news, criminal justice stories, and political coverage. She told the Jesus Calling Podcast, “I can’t imagine navigating this life without it, and I certainly can’t imagine living the life I live now without thanking God every day, all day, for the privilege of my existence.” She maintains humility while appreciating her platform to serve as a messenger for people doing good works.
Emily Compagno Personal Life
Emily Compagno and Peter Riley, both University of Washington alumni, reportedly married on September 13, 2017, as reported by Distractify. The wedding took place at her family’s estate in Villa Cimbrone, Italy, at the outdoor Tea Room Pavilion. Peter Riley works as a Senior Account Manager at NVIDIA and previously worked at Netskope, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco Systems.
The couple first met as teenagers and reconnected on the streets of Seattle one year before their wedding. Riley holds a degree in political science from the University of Washington, graduating in 2000. Their shared alma mater and similar educational backgrounds created common ground.
On August 28, 2024, during a Fox Business discussion about work-life balance with Rebecca Walser, Compagno confirmed her engagement to an unnamed fiancé. She has not publicly discussed the end of her first marriage or provided details about her current relationship. There is no public information confirming whether she has children.
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Passions & Hobbies
Emily Compagno owns a 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that she had completely restored. She installed a new engine, transmission, and tires to make it more reliable for traveling. The classic car is bright orange with flames on the sides, which she describes as “essentially looking like a giant Hot Wheel.”
She attends car shows and spends time at motorhead garages because muscle cars make her heart sing. She has also ridden Harley motorcycles with flames. In 2023, she had the chance to sit in a fighter jet cockpit, connecting back to her childhood aspiration.
Compagno has danced since age 3, performing in yearly “Nutcracker” ballet productions. She has played piano since age 4 and remains passionate about performances. Her family owns Ardiri Winery & Vineyards, and she returns regularly to help with grape harvesting, sharing updates on her Instagram account with over 450,000 followers.
Advocacy & Philanthropy
Emily Compagno lives in New York City and actively supports nonprofits dedicated to U.S. veterans, law enforcement, and K9 causes. Her organizational involvement includes K9 Hurricane’s Heroes, Pawsitive Change, Dogs for Our Brave, and U.S.VETS. She has partnered with K9 Storm to support military and police dogs.
One year after Hurricane Katrina, she volunteered with God’s Katrina Kitchen serving three meals daily to displaced residents. Her humanitarian work has extended to multiple African nations during international travels. She uses her Fox News Channel platform to highlight veterans’ stories and advocate for causes aligned with her values.
Her advocacy connects to her military family heritage and USO experiences. She maintains that her role is serving as a messenger for those doing good works. She balances professional responsibilities with charitable work supporting service members, law enforcement officers, and working dogs.
Professional Philosophy
Emily Compagno approaches her role on Fox News with responsibility toward viewers. She views herself as a steward of audience time and wants every moment to deliver value. Her diverse background combining law, cheerleading, federal service, and media gives her perspective on balancing multiple interests.
She told TheWrap that pursuing passion mixed with opportunity has been the consistent thread throughout her career. Cheerleading for the Oakland Raiders was a longtime dream, not something that appeared randomly. The same applies to her work as an on-air legal analyst, which she identified as her goal years before achieving it.
She remains cognizant of her blessings while covering tragic news stories and challenging topics. She rejoices in serving as a messenger for people doing good works and maintains humility throughout every day. Her approach demonstrates that professional success can align with personal values when opportunities match genuine interests.
Legacy & Impact
Emily Compagno represents a generation of female attorneys in broadcasting who bring substantive expertise to their roles. Her legal background as a federal managing attorney and criminal defense lawyer provides credibility to her analysis on Fox News Channel. She integrated law into television rather than abandoning it completely.
Her story demonstrates that obstacles can redirect rather than end aspirations. Being too short for the fighter pilot program led her to law, cheerleading, federal service, and broadcasting. Each experience built on previous ones to create a unique professional identity that stands out in cable news.
Her commitment to U.S. veterans, law enforcement, and faith-based advocacy extends her influence beyond television. Through “Under His Wings” and her FOX True Crime Podcast, she reaches audiences interested in military stories and criminal justice. Her work keeps military sacrifice and veterans’ faith journeys in public conversation while educating viewers about legal matters.
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Conclusion
Emily Compagno has built a career that combines unexpected elements into a cohesive professional identity. From criminal defense attorney to Raiderettes captain to Fox News co-host, she pursued opportunities aligned with her values. Her 5’3″ height ended her fighter pilot dreams but didn’t limit her impact in other fields.
At 45 years old, she continues hosting Outnumbered, appearing on The Five and Gutfeld!, and producing her True Crime podcast. According to Celebrity Net Worth, her net worth stands at approximately $2 million. She balances broadcasting with advocacy for veterans, K9 organizations, and faith causes while maintaining privacy about her personal life in New York City.
FAQ’s About Emily Compagno
How tall is Emily Compagno?
Emily Compagno stands 5 feet 3 inches tall, which disqualified her from becoming a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot.
What is Emily Compagno’s age?
Born November 9, 1979, Emily Compagno is currently 45 years old and will turn 46 in November 2025.
What is Emily Compagno’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Emily Compagno’s net worth is estimated at $2 million.
Who is Emily Compagno’s husband?
Emily Compagno reportedly married Peter Riley in 2017 but announced her engagement to an unnamed fiancé in August 2024.
What does Peter Riley do?
Peter Riley works as a Senior Account Manager at NVIDIA as of October 2023.
Does Emily Compagno have children?
There is no public information confirming whether Emily Compagno has children.
What shows does Emily Compagno host?
She co-hosts Outnumbered weekdays, appears on The Five and Gutfeld!, and hosts “The FOX True Crime Podcast.”
Was Emily Compagno an NFL cheerleader?
Yes, she served as captain of the Oakland Raiders Raiderettes from 2007 to 2010.
What is Emily Compagno’s book about?
“Under His Wings” shares firsthand accounts from veterans about how combat experiences led them to faith.
What is Emily Compagno’s educational background?
She earned a B.A. in political science from University of Washington and a J.D. from University of San Francisco School of Law.
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