Who is Chris Hayes’ law professor wife, Kate Shaw? The MSNBC host met his partner – an ABC News contributor and co-host for Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny – when they were at Brown University

MSNBC host Chris Hayes and his wife Kate Shaw. Photo: @kateashaw/Instagram

MSNBC host Chris Hayes is offering an ‘antidote’ to those who have been feeling overwhelmed by the actions of president Donald Trump during his second presidency – so who is his wife, Kate Shaw?

MSNBC host Chris Hayes is offering an “antidote” to those who have been feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the “debased assault on our country”.

The American commentator appears to be referencing the actions of president Donald Trump so far during his second presidential term.

“Can’t emphasise this enough: if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the debased assault on our country, the antidote is connecting with other people in the flesh who are feeling the same way,” Hayes, 46, wrote on BlueSky over the weekend. “There are millions of us.”

American political commentator Chris Hayes and his wife are a power couple. Photo: @chrislhayes/Instagram

Hayes’ post was met with plenty of support and gratitude from netizens who have been sharing the same shared frustrations around the state of politics in the US right now.

But what’s Chris Hayes like in his personal life? Let’s meet his long-time wife, Kate Shaw.

What is Kate Shaw’s background?

Kate Shaw is a Chicago native, per Podcast Magazine. She was born to Andy Shaw, a well-known journalist who covered news, politics and business for media outlets from NBC 5 to ABC 7, writes The Chicago Tribune.

Considering her incredible achievements, it’s hardly surprising to hear that her dad is super proud of her. “We enjoyed watching our oldest daughter, lawyer and ABC contributor Kate Shaw, analyse the Mueller report and Barr news [conference] during the network’s wall-to-wall coverage today,” he wrote on X in April 2019. “It’s nice to have daughters who are smarter than us and still happy to share their kids with the geezers.”

Chris Hayes and his family. Photo: @kateashaw/Instagram

She previously studied at Brown University, before returning to Illinois to enrol at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law from 2003 to 2006.

What does Kate Shaw do for work?

Shaw is a woman of many hats. She is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, a contributor at ABC News, and co-host for the Supreme Court podcast, Strict Scrutiny, states her author bio on The New York Times website.

Her writing has appeared in The NYT, The Atlantic, The Washington Post and more. She has written opinion pieces on political figures from Donald Trump to Elon Musk.

She used to work in the Obama White House Counsel’s Office and was a law clerk to US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens and the Honorable Richard Posner of the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, per the Penn Carey Law website.

How did Kate Shaw meet Chris Hayes?

Kate Shaw’s dad is a well-known journalist. Photo: @kateashaw/Instagram

Shaw and Hayes met when they were in their first year at Brown University, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite the fame and lifestyle changes the couple has been through over the years, Shaw says Hayes has remained “remarkably intact and largely unchanged” as a person, per the publication. “He’s basically the same person I met 22 years ago,” she added.

When did Chris Hayes and Kate Shaw get married?

The lovebirds have been married since July 2007, per People magazine. They’ve never been shy when it comes to celebrating their adoration for each other.

In July 2022, Hayes shared a sweet post for their milestone anniversary. “On your 15th anniversary, there is nothing you can do that’s more romantic that a big successful run to the dump,” he wrote, alongside a pic of them kissing.

“Love you, @kateashaw. You’re my everything. Will sort bottles and cardboard with you anytime, anywhere.”

How many kids do Chris Hayes and Kate Shaw have?

Kate Shaw studied at Brown University. Photo: @kateashaw/Instagram

The duo are proud parents to three children – they have two daughters, Ryan and Anya, and one son, David, notes People magazine. They regularly share family snaps together on social media.

Last year, the family enjoyed an epic holiday to Iceland, as seen in pics shared by Shaw on Instagram. “Sun finally came out for our last full day in Iceland, on Heimaey, in the Westman Islands,” she wrote, with a carousel of pics from their trip. “Puffins did not disappoint.”