After nine years as the public affairs talk show’s host, Meet the Press host and moderator Chuck Todd revealed on Sunday that he will retire this year. He will be succeeded by Kristen Welker, co-chief White House correspondent for NBC News. Welker is married to her husband John Hughes since 2017.

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Who is John Hughes?

John Hughes is married to Kristen Welker. Hughes is a Philadelphia-based marketing director at Merck. He is four years younger than her. Before meeting Hughes, Welker admitted to the newspaper that she had “just about given up on the idea of finding someone.” Welker added, “I’m 40 years old. I say that to give hope to other women who maybe haven’t found The One in their 20s.”

In October 2014, Welker and Hughes started dating. Mutual friends arranged for them to go on a blind date, and they got married on March 4, 2017, three years later. The Hyatt at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia is reportedly where the couple got married. The Times noted that the crossword puzzle Hughes had created for Welker on their second date was included in their wedding program. They performed their first dance to Etta James’ “At Last” song.

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Hughes may have previously had a supervisory position in Merck’s “Pricing and Reimbursement Strategy” division, according to an analysis of internet records. Hughes’ LinkedIn account has either been deleted or disabled.

But according to Hughes’ wife, he now has the necessary experience if he ever wanted to work in news production. Welker claimed that Hughes was a huge assistance when she was broadcasting from their home during the coronavirus outbreak. She jokingly said of Hughes that he “runs a mean teleprompter.” “We joke that he’ll be joining the union soon,” she continued, “because he knows how to use all of the equipment.”

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Initially, Hughes announced that she had infertility issues and hence could not be pregnant. However, on Saturday, June 12, the 44-year-old had her first child via surrogate, a daughter called Margot Lane Welker Hughes. “Being matched with a surrogate is one of the most extraordinary experiences I have ever had,” Welker said as Hughes matched her feelings.

In a touching letter to her unborn child, Welker also shared details of her and her husband’s path toward becoming parents. “My sweet baby girl, your daddy and I haven’t met you yet, but we have loved you forever,” she admitted.