Craig Melvin: Wife, Illness, Height, Parents, Net Worth, Kids & More

Craig Melvin is an American broadcast journalist and television personality best known as a co-anchor of NBC's Today. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Melvin has progressed from local television news in South Carolina to national broadcasting, working for NBC News and MSNBC before taking on a leading role at Today.

His professional life, however, is only part of his story. Melvin has spoken publicly about his family's experiences with cancer, including the death of his older half-brother Lawrence Meadows from colon cancer in 2020 and his mother Betty Jo Melvin's breast-cancer diagnosis in 2025.

He is also married to sports journalist Lindsay Czarniak, and the couple have two children, Delano and Sybil.

Quick Facts About Craig Melvin

●      Full name: Craig Delano Melvin

●      Born: May 20, 1979

●      Birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.

●      Nationality: American

●      Ethnicity: African American

●      Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), according to IMDb

●      Education: Wofford College

●      Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Government

●      Wife: Lindsay Czarniak

●      Married: October 15, 2011

●      Children: Two

●      Son: Delano

●      Daughter: Sybil

●      Occupation: Journalist, news anchor, television host

●      Employer: NBC News

●      Known for: Today, NBC News, MSNBC

How Old Is Craig Melvin?

Craig Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Melvin grew up in South Carolina and attended Columbia High School before going to Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

His early interest in broadcasting developed while he was still young, eventually leading to a career in local television before his move into national news.

What Is Craig Melvin's Full Name?

Craig Melvin's full name is Craig Delano Melvin.

He generally uses Craig Melvin professionally.

His middle name, Delano, is also the first name of his son, Delano Melvin.

How Tall Is Craig Melvin?

Craig Melvin is listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 metres) by IMDb.

Who Is Craig Melvin's Wife?

Craig Melvin's wife is Lindsay Czarniak, an American sports journalist and broadcaster.

Czarniak has worked for several major sports-media organizations during her career, including ESPN, Fox Sports and CBS Sports.

She previously worked as a sports reporter and anchor at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where she met Melvin.

The couple married in October 2011.

Czarniak's broadcasting career has included coverage of the NFL, NASCAR and the Olympic Games.

In 2026, she joined CBS Sports HQ as a host.

When Did Craig Melvin Meet Lindsay Czarniak?

Melvin and Czarniak met in 2008 while both were working in Washington, D.C., at NBC affiliate WRC-TV.

According to Us Weekly, they were friends for more than a year before Melvin asked Czarniak on a date in July 2009.

Their professional lives were already closely connected because both worked in television journalism.

They eventually married on October 15, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

How Long Have Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak Been Married?

Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak have been married since October 15, 2011.

They have been married for almost 15 years.

The couple continues to work in broadcasting while raising their two children.

In August 2026, Melvin even interviewed his wife on Today about her work on the true-crime sports docuseries Game Day Murders. The segment featured the couple joking about how unusual it felt for Melvin to interview his own wife.

How Many Children Does Craig Melvin Have?

Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak have two children:

●      Delano Joseph Melvin

●      Sybil Ann Melvin

Their son Delano was born in March 2014, while their daughter Sybil was born in November 2016.

Melvin frequently shares moments from family life and has spoken about how becoming a father changed him.

Who Is Craig Melvin's Son Delano?

Delano Joseph Melvin is Craig Melvin's oldest child.

He was born on March 10, 2014.

Delano has developed an interest in sports and journalism.

He has appeared on NBC's Nightly News: Kids Edition and has interviewed notable sports personalities.

He has also accompanied his father to sporting events, including the Super Bowl.

People reported in 2026 that the 12-year-old has interests including basketball, football and dinosaurs.

Who Is Craig Melvin's Daughter Sybil?

Sybil Ann Melvin, often called Sibby, is Craig and Lindsay's youngest child.

She was born in November 2016.

Sybil has an interest in performing arts and has participated in activities including dance and theater.

In August 2026, she performed in The Little Mermaid at a summer theater camp, with her parents and brother supporting her.

Who Are Craig Melvin's Parents?

Craig Melvin's parents are Lawrence Melvin and Betty Jo Melvin.

His mother, Betty Jo, has been particularly important in his public discussions about family and cancer.

Melvin has described his mother as the "rock of our family" and has spoken about the sacrifices she made for her children.

His father has also been an important figure in his life. Melvin has spoken publicly about his father's struggle with alcohol addiction and his eventual recovery.

What Happened to Craig Melvin's Mother?

Craig Melvin's mother, Betty Jo Melvin, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2025.

The diagnosis was particularly difficult for the family because they had already experienced the loss of Melvin's brother to cancer.

In August 2026, Melvin became emotional on Today while watching a video about a grandmother ringing the bell after completing cancer treatment.

He revealed that his own mother had completed her final round of chemotherapy and rang the bell nearly a year after her diagnosis.

Melvin said his mother remains in treatment and has been described as being in remission.

Did Craig Melvin Have an Illness?

There is no reliable evidence that Craig Melvin himself has been diagnosed with a major illness.

The most significant health stories surrounding him involve:

●      His mother's breast-cancer diagnosis

●      His half-brother Lawrence Meadows' death from colon cancer

●      Melvin's advocacy for cancer screening

Melvin has become particularly vocal about colorectal cancer awareness following his brother's death.

What Happened to Craig Melvin's Brother?

Craig Melvin's older half-brother, Lawrence Meadows, died from colon cancer on December 9, 2020, at the age of 43.

His brother's death had a profound effect on Melvin.

Melvin has since become an advocate for colon-cancer awareness and screening.

He also hosts the Blue Hope Bash, an annual fundraiser for the Colon Cancer Foundation, in honor of Lawrence.

Melvin has repeatedly encouraged people not to ignore colorectal-cancer screening, particularly because his brother was diagnosed relatively young.

Does Craig Melvin Have Siblings?

Yes.

Craig Melvin has a younger brother named Ryan Melvin and an older half-brother, Lawrence Meadows, who died in 2020.

His family appeared alongside him during his first broadcast as the new co-anchor of Today in January 2025.

His mother and younger brother have also been featured in stories about Melvin's personal life and career.

What Is Craig Melvin's Ethnicity?

Craig Melvin is African American.

He has spoken extensively about his Black heritage, his upbringing in South Carolina, and his family's experiences.

His career has also included reporting on issues involving race and civil rights.

Where Did Craig Melvin Go to College?

Craig Melvin attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

He graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. IMDb confirms his Wofford education and degree.

While at Wofford, Melvin became involved in broadcasting and communications, which eventually led him toward a professional journalism career.

How Did Craig Melvin Start His Journalism Career?

Melvin's television career began in local news in South Carolina.

He worked for WIS-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina.

His early work included reporting and anchoring before he moved to Washington, D.C.

He later joined WRC-TV, where he worked as a news anchor and reporter.

His work at WRC eventually helped him move into the national NBC News operation.

When Did Craig Melvin Join NBC News?

Craig Melvin joined NBC News in 2011 and subsequently became a national correspondent and anchor.

He also worked with MSNBC.

His national reporting included coverage of major breaking-news events, politics and significant national stories.

By 2018, he had become a regular presence on Today.

When Did Craig Melvin Join Today?

Craig Melvin became a news anchor on Today in August 2018.

He joined the show's third hour as a co-host later that year and became a permanent host in January 2019.

His role expanded again in January 2025, when he became a co-anchor of the first and second hours of Today.

That made him one of the principal faces of NBC's flagship morning program.

What Is Craig Melvin's Current Role at Today?

As of 2026, Craig Melvin is a co-anchor of the first two hours of NBC's Today.

He works alongside other leading Today personalities and continues to report and interview guests for NBC News.

He also serves as a fill-in anchor for NBC Nightly News.

His promotion to the main Today anchor desk in 2025 represented a significant milestone in his career.

What Is Craig Melvin's Net Worth?

Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates Craig Melvin and his wife Lindsay Czarniak's combined net worth at approximately $14 million.

This is an important distinction.

The $14 million figure is not necessarily Craig Melvin's individual net worth. Celebrity Net Worth specifically describes it as a combined figure for Melvin and Czarniak.

What Is Craig Melvin's Salary?

Celebrity Net Worth reports an estimated annual salary of $6 million for his NBC work.

The Newstimes similarly reported that sources for Us Weekly put his new salary in the range of $5 million to $6 million following his promotion to the main Today anchor role.

What Are Craig Melvin's Main Sources of Income?

Melvin's professional income comes primarily from broadcasting.

His career includes:

●      NBC Today

●      NBC News

●      MSNBC

●      NBC Nightly News

●      Television appearances

●      Speaking engagements

●      Book publishing

●      Other media projects

His wife, Lindsay Czarniak, also has an established career in sports broadcasting, which is why some net-worth estimates combine their finances.

Did Craig Melvin Write a Book?

Yes.

Melvin published the children's book I'm Proud of You in 2024.

The book was inspired by his relationship with his children and his desire to encourage parents to recognize and affirm their children's accomplishments.

His experience as a father is therefore reflected not only in his television work but also in his writing.

People reported that Melvin wrote the book as a tribute to his children, Delano and Sybil.

Has Craig Melvin Won Awards?

Craig Melvin has received recognition during his broadcasting career.

His professional biography notes Emmy recognition, including awards connected to his local-news work.

He began gaining recognition relatively early in his career, before becoming a national television personality.

His reporting has also earned attention for coverage of major national events.

What Major Events Has Craig Melvin Covered?

During his career, Melvin has reported on a wide range of major stories.

His coverage has included:

●      The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting

●      The George Zimmerman trial

●      Major political events

●      Presidential elections

●      The Olympics

●      Natural disasters

●      The Charleston church shooting

●      Major breaking-news events

His work has taken him from local newsrooms to national NBC broadcasts.

What Happened When Craig Melvin Was Attacked at the Today Studio?

In July 2026, an intruder breached security at NBC's New York City studio and confronted Melvin.

According to reports, the man shouted racial slurs and lunged at Melvin before being apprehended.

The incident led NBC to tighten security procedures at the Today studio. Melvin subsequently returned to the program and reassured viewers that he was okay.

This incident should not be confused with a medical illness: there is no indication that Melvin was physically diagnosed with an illness as a result of the incident.

Craig Melvin Career Timeline

Year    Milestone

1979    Born in Columbia, South Carolina

1990s  Developed interest in broadcasting

2001    Graduated from Wofford College

Early 2000s     Worked in South Carolina television

2008    Met Lindsay Czarniak

2011    Married Lindsay Czarniak

2011    Joined NBC News

2014    Son Delano was born

2016    Daughter Sybil was born

2018    Became a Today news anchor

2019    Became permanent third-hour co-host

2020    Brother Lawrence Meadows died from colon cancer

2024    Published I'm Proud of You

2025    Became a main co-anchor of Today

2025    Mother Betty Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer

2026    Continued as a leading Today anchor

2026    Mother completed chemotherapy and rang the bell

Conclusion

Craig Melvin's career has taken him from a local newsroom in Columbia, South Carolina, to one of the most recognizable positions in American morning television.

After graduating from Wofford College in 2001, he worked in local news before joining NBC News in 2011. His career eventually led to Today, where he became a third-hour co-host and later, in January 2025, a co-anchor of the program's first two hours.

His family life has been equally important to his story. Melvin has been married to Lindsay Czarniak since 2011, and they have two children, Delano and Sybil.

Cancer has also profoundly affected his family. His brother Lawrence Meadows died of colon cancer in 2020, while his mother Betty Jo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. In August 2026, Melvin shared the emotional news that his mother had completed chemotherapy and rung the treatment bell.

Today, Melvin remains one of NBC's prominent anchors, combining his work on Today with journalism, children's publishing, and his advocacy for cancer awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What happened to Craig Melvin?

Craig Melvin has not left the Today show. He remains a co-anchor of NBC’s Today. He has taken several temporary breaks in 2026, including a family vacation in July and another short break in August. During one July break, he had just experienced a security incident at the Today studio involving an intruder, but Melvin said afterward that he was safe.

Melvin continues to work alongside Savannah Guthrie on Today.

2. Who is Craig Melvin's first wife?

Lindsay Czarniak is Craig Melvin's only publicly known wife. There is no reliable evidence that Melvin had a previous wife. The couple met in 2008 while both worked at NBC's WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., and married on October 15, 2011.

They have two children together: son Delano and daughter Sybil.

3. Why is Craig Melvin taking a break from the Today Show?

Craig Melvin's recent breaks from Today have generally been temporary time off rather than a departure from the program. In April 2026, he took a spring-break vacation after working consistently, while Hoda Kotb temporarily filled his anchor position.

He also took time off in July for a family vacation, shortly after an intruder entered the Today studio and confronted him. Reports indicated that the vacation was planned and not presented as Melvin leaving the show.

Most recently, in August 2026, Melvin was again away from the anchor desk for family time, with Carson Daly filling in.

4. Do Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin get along?

Yes. There is no credible evidence of a feud between Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin. They work together as co-anchors on Today, and Guthrie has publicly welcomed and supported Melvin in his role.

Their on-air interactions have generally been collegial. For example, Guthrie explained Melvin's July 2026 absence as a family vacation, while Melvin has also covered for Guthrie during her own absences.

In fact, when Guthrie returned from one of her recent breaks in August 2026, Melvin welcomed her back to the program.