For CNN’s Poppy Harlow, knowledge is power. After years of working in front of the camera, enduring public criticism, and keeping up with an ever-accelerating news cycle, Harlow doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
Born in 1982, the 37-year-old commands a reported $2 million annual salary. And with a net worth of $6 million, the married mother of two has learned to take it all in stride.
“It takes a lot to stress me out these days” says Harlow.
While the rest of us endure proverbial whiplash from the blistering speed of cable news, Poppy Harlow manages to stay on top of it all. “I read…and read…and read,” she says.
“The news moves fast– especially lately– and it is my responsibility to be on top of it all for our viewers. There’s no need to feel helpless. Get involved in the conversation. Knowledge is power.”
This month, Harlow is being honored in Good Housekeepings Awesome Women Awards— a platform featuring women creators, visionaries, helpers, and trailblazers.
We caught up with Harlow to learn about her life on and off the camera.
Meet Poppy Harlow
How do you balance work and your family life?
Work/life balance is a made-up concept, in my opinion. If you’re achieving it– bravo! For me the word is “juggle.” There’s always a ball in the air. Sometimes work wins most of my brain space for the day and sometimes family does.
“There’s no question it is family first– but in all reality that doesn’t always mean I am home as much as I want to be. I force myself to correct when I get too off course.”
What’s the most difficult part of being on the air?
“Time. I never feel like there is enough time to get through all the questions I want to ask in an interview.”
If you could go back in time, what’s would you tell your 30-year-old self?
“Relax. Seriously. Enjoy the ride.”
When you visit Washington, DC what’s your favorite place to go/ thing to do?
“Running the monuments at sunset.”
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career thus far?
“Easily it is those moments when you see your reporting actually matters. When I hear from the people who have let us into their lives to tell their personal stories. Whether it is the recovering heroin addicts we profiled in Ohio and families who lose children to the addiction or the mother supporting four children on food stamps in Bridgeport, CT; the families in Jacmel, Haiti who welcomed us in to our home for a special report five years after the tragic earthquake there; or the people of Flint, Michigan. When they tell us our reporting made a difference, that is everything to me.”
Where can people find you on your days off?
“Running around Brooklyn with my husband and chasing after our daughter Sienna and son Luca. Then collapsing on the couch by 7 pm when she goes to sleep.”
How do you deal with high-level criticism?
“It used to get to me – but after having our daughter it honestly doesn’t. I guess it is a function of not having time to think about it. For me it is work, work, work and then run home and family, family, family.”
Photography courtesy of CNN | Want to be featured in CAPITOL STANDARD? Fill out our form here.
