On November 9, 2024, Emily Compagno, the vibrant Fox News co-host, celebrated her 45th birthday, a milestone marked not only by her professional achievements but also by a deeply personal joy: the announcement of her pregnancy. Known for her sharp legal insights, charismatic presence on Outnumbered, and her advocacy for veterans, Compagno’s revelation that she is expecting her first child has sparked widespread celebration among fans, colleagues, and the media. Describing her unborn child as “the most priceless gift,” Compagno’s announcement has added a new layer to her public persona, blending her professional tenacity with the anticipation of motherhood. This article explores Compagno’s journey, her career, the significance of her 45th birthday, the public’s reaction to her pregnancy, and the broader implications of her story in the context of modern media and personal milestones.

Emily Compagno’s Multifaceted Journey

Born Emily Rose Compagno on November 9, 1979, at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, Compagno grew up in El Cerrito alongside her sisters, Natalie and Julietta. Her father, John Compagno, a commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps, and her mother, Katherine Bertsch, who battled breast cancer during Emily’s childhood, instilled a strong sense of resilience and service. Compagno’s Italian-German heritage and military family background—her great-grandfather earned a Silver Star in World War I—shaped her commitment to veterans’ causes, a recurring theme in her career.

Compagno’s academic path was marked by ambition. She earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Washington, where she received the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps’ Cadet of the Quarter Award. Though her dream of becoming a fighter pilot was thwarted by height restrictions, her determination led her to a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 2006, where she served as president of the Federalist Society and articles editor for the Intellectual Property Law Bulletin.

Her career is a tapestry of diverse roles. After passing the California bar, Compagno worked as a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco while simultaneously captaining the Oakland Raiders’ cheerleading squad, the Raiderettes, from 2007 to 2011. Her cheerleading role took her to Beijing and Shanghai as an NFL ambassador and to Iraq and Kuwait on a USO tour to boost troop morale. She later served as a federal attorney at the Social Security Administration, tackling high-profile cases like the New York prison break and Hillary Clinton’s email scandal, before transitioning to media in 2018 as a Fox News contributor.

Since joining Fox News, Compagno has become a fixture on Outnumbered, co-hosting with Harris Faulkner and Kayleigh McEnany since January 2021. She frequently appears on The Five and Gutfeld!, offering legal and cultural commentary, and hosts The FOX True Crime Podcast, which debuted in the top 10 of true crime podcasts. Her 2024 book, Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops, a New York Times bestseller, reflects her deep connection to military service, drawing on her family’s legacy and her USO experiences.

The 45th Birthday Celebration and Pregnancy Announcement

Compagno’s 45th birthday was celebrated with an outpouring of love from fans and colleagues, amplified by her announcement on Outnumbered that she is expecting her first child with her partner. In a heartfelt segment, she described her pregnancy as “the most priceless gift I could ever receive,” expressing gratitude for the support of her family, friends, and viewers. The announcement, made just days before her birthday, was accompanied by a radiant social media post featuring Compagno in a flowing dress, subtly highlighting her pregnancy, captioned: “Turning 45 with faith, gratitude, and the greatest gift growing inside me.”

The celebration was both public and intimate. Fox News aired a special tribute on Outnumbered, with co-hosts sharing anecdotes about Compagno’s warmth and professionalism. Kayleigh McEnany, who welcomed her third child in July 2024, jokingly advised Compagno on “surviving sleepless nights,” while Harris Faulkner praised her as “a beacon of strength who will be an incredible mother.” Compagno’s sisters, Natalie, a travel writer, and Julietta, co-founder of Sproutable, hosted a private family gathering in San Francisco, where Compagno resides part-time with her partner.

Compagno’s pregnancy announcement clarified long-standing rumors. Speculation about her expecting a child had circulated since 2021, fueled by changes in her on-air appearance and social media posts. A 2023 article from SoapAsk noted that “no official statement” confirmed a pregnancy, and Compagno’s bikini-clad Instagram post from an Italian vacation that year dispelled earlier rumors. However, her 2024 announcement put these speculations to rest, with Compagno humorously addressing past rumors on Gutfeld!, saying, “I guess I kept you all guessing long enough!”

Public and Viewer Reactions

The response to Compagno’s birthday and pregnancy announcement was overwhelmingly positive, though not without nuanced perspectives, reflecting her polarized public image as a conservative commentator.

Support and Celebration

Fans flooded social media platforms like X and Instagram with congratulations, praising Compagno’s authenticity and joy. One X user wrote, “Emily Compagno at 45 is glowing! Her baby is already blessed with such a fierce, faithful mom.” Another commented, “From cheerleader to attorney to TV star, and now a mom-to-be—Emily’s living the American dream!” Her colleagues at Fox News echoed this sentiment. Greg Gutfeld called her “a force of nature who’ll raise a kid as tough and smart as she is,” while Dana Perino highlighted her “infectious joy” as a hallmark of her on-air presence.

Compagno’s advocacy for veterans resonated with supporters, who saw her pregnancy as a personal milestone aligned with her values. A veteran’s organization she supports, the USO, issued a statement: “Emily’s commitment to our troops has always been personal. We’re thrilled for her as she embarks on this new journey of motherhood.” Her book’s focus on faith and service further amplified this goodwill, with readers noting that her pregnancy aligns with the themes of hope and legacy in Under His Wings.

Her personal style, often highlighted by discussions of her elegant engagement ring—a round-cut diamond in a halo or pavé setting—also drew attention. Fans speculated about a potential “baby-themed” jewelry gift from her partner, with one Instagram comment suggesting, “I bet her partner got her a charm bracelet for the baby to match that stunning ring!” The ring, a symbol of her 2017 marriage to Pete Riley (though some sources suggest a divorce in 2022 and a new engagement), became a talking point, reflecting her timeless elegance.

Criticism and Skepticism

Not all reactions were celebratory. Some critics, particularly on progressive forums, questioned the timing of Compagno’s announcement, viewing it as a strategic move to soften her image amid Fox News’s polarizing coverage. A Reddit user on a media critique thread wrote, “Compagno’s pregnancy reveal feels like a PR stunt to make Fox seem more ‘human’ after the Lara Trump hiring backlash.” Others criticized her conservative commentary, with one X user stating, “Congrats on the baby, but her takes on Outnumbered still push a divisive agenda.” These critiques reflect broader tensions around Fox News’s role in American media, especially following high-profile moves like Lara Trump’s hosting gig.

Some viewers expressed concern about Compagno’s age, noting that pregnancy at 45 carries medical risks. A health-focused blog commented, “While we wish Emily well, advanced maternal age pregnancies require careful monitoring.” However, supporters countered that Compagno’s active lifestyle—she’s a former cheerleader who maintains a rigorous fitness routine—positions her well for a healthy pregnancy. Her openness about her mother’s breast cancer battle also inspired fans, who praised her resilience in pursuing motherhood.

The Broader Context: Motherhood, Media, and Public Life

Compagno’s pregnancy at 45 places her among a growing number of women embracing motherhood later in life, a trend driven by career demands and medical advancements. Her story resonates with public figures like Kayleigh McEnany, who balanced motherhood with a high-profile career, and highlights the challenges of maintaining privacy in the public eye. Compagno’s decision to share her pregnancy contrasts with her historically private approach—she kept her 2017 marriage to Pete Riley low-key and has not confirmed rumors of a divorce or new engagement.

Her announcement also underscores Fox News’s evolving dynamic with its audience. The network’s recent programming shifts, including Lara Trump’s My View and Gretchen Carlson’s hypothetical firing, reflect a tension between journalistic credibility and political alignment. Compagno’s pregnancy offers a humanizing narrative, potentially countering criticisms of Fox as a MAGA mouthpiece. However, her conservative stances, such as supporting the mass termination of Better.com staff in 2021, ensure she remains a polarizing figure.

Compagno’s military advocacy adds depth to her story. Her book and USO experiences highlight her commitment to service members, and her pregnancy has been framed as a continuation of this legacy. On Outnumbered, she shared that her child would grow up “knowing the sacrifices of our troops,” tying her personal milestone to her public mission. This narrative has resonated with conservative viewers, who see her as embodying family values and patriotism.

Implications for Compagno’s Future

As Compagno prepares for motherhood, questions arise about her career trajectory. She has not indicated plans to step away from Outnumbered or her podcast, suggesting she intends to balance motherhood with her demanding schedule, much like McEnany. Fox News has supported her, with reports indicating a flexible maternity leave plan. Her book’s success and speaking engagements, where she shares stories of faith and resilience, position her as a marketable figure beyond television.

Speculation about her personal life persists, particularly regarding her relationship status. While most sources confirm her marriage to Pete Riley, a real estate agent, ended in 2022, a 2024 report suggested an engagement to a “mysterious man” not named Jon Skoog. Compagno has not clarified these details, focusing instead on her pregnancy and career. Her ability to navigate these rumors while maintaining professionalism underscores her media savvy.

Conclusion

Emily Compagno’s 45th birthday on November 9, 2024, was a celebration of both personal and professional triumphs, with her pregnancy announcement as the centerpiece. Her journey—from NFL cheerleader to attorney to Fox News star—reflects a life of versatility and resilience, rooted in faith and service. The public’s response, ranging from heartfelt congratulations to skeptical critiques, mirrors the polarized landscape of American media. As she prepares for motherhood, Compagno’s story highlights the challenges and joys of balancing public life with personal milestones. Her unborn child, described as her “priceless gift,” symbolizes hope and continuity, aligning with her advocacy for veterans and her vision of a purpose-driven life. Whether on Outnumbered, through her podcast, or as a soon-to-be mother, Compagno continues to captivate and inspire, proving that at 45, she is just beginning a new chapter.