All About Penelope Scott Kernen—Wife of CNBC Co-Host Joe Kernen

Joe Kernen, the co-host of CNBC’s money news show “Squawk Box,” is married to Penelope Scott Kernen. The two met at CNBC in 1996 and got married in 1998. Penelope Kernen is a former commodities trader. 

Joe Kernen holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and earned a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He worked as a stockbroker, training at Merrill Lynch and then serving as vice-president at both EF Hutton and Smith Barney.  

Joe Kernen co-anchors Squawk Box every weekday morning on CNBC with fellow anchors Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. In May of 2020, Sorkin and Kernen clashed on the air over the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Kernen felt Sorkin was overly panicked, while Sorkin said Kernen was downplaying the severity of the virus and its effects.)  

The Kernen's home was featured in Architectural Digest in 2016. Penelope Kernen’s pride in the Short Hills, N.J. home was evident in her interview at that time.  

The couple purchased the Tudor mansion from her mother and then performed major renovations and additions to make it more their own. As the hundred-year-old house had been in Penelope Kernen’s family for 45 years at that point. She couldn’t bear the idea of another family living in her childhood home.  

Penelope said, “It had been my father’s pride and joy.” This pride and joy needed updates to fit with the Kernens’ family and lifestyle. They had two teenage children and several dogs. AD noted that the Kernens hired a professional team including architect Patrick Burke, builder Brinton Brosius, and interior designer Ashlee Anthony.  

In their quest to maintain the integrity of historical details of the house while offering modern updates, the Kernens used as many original furnishings as they could. The original French doors along and brass doorknobs and hinges were restored and maintained.  

In order to accommodate the family’s needs, they built an addition of 3,500 square feet that included a large family room, something Penelope missed as a child. She said, “Growing up in the house, we didn't have a family room that was comfortable for everybody to spend time in together.”  

Anthony, the interior designer on the project, commented on Penelope Kernen’s interest in art when discussing the built-in shelves for books and collected artwork. She said, “It was immediately apparent to me that Penelope had a unique appreciation for art.” 

Penelope Kernen’s political party isn't necessarily public knowledge. However, one might assume from comments made by Joe Kernen on the CNBC show regarding climate change and other issues that he and his wife are likely Republicans. 

During the May 2020 spat between Sorkin and Kernen on the air, Sorkin accused Kernen of ignoring the damages of the coronavirus in order to “try and help your friend the President.” 

Penelope Kernen's net worth is tied to her husband Joe’s. His net worth has been estimated at $16 million, with approximately a $3 million salary per year, although his exact CNBC salary isn't public knowledge.