Bari Weiss is an American journalist, author, and media entrepreneur best known as the founder of The Free Press, a subscription-based publication focused on culture, politics, and free expression. She gained national prominence as an opinion writer at The New York Times before leaving legacy media to build one of the most successful independent journalism platforms in the United States.
Quick Bio:
- Full Name: Bari Weiss
- Date of Birth: March 25, 1984
- Age: 41 (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Nationality: American
- Religion / Cultural Identity: Jewish
- Sexual Orientation: Lesbian
- Profession: Journalist, Author, Media Founder
- Years Active: 2010s–present
- Known For: Founder of The Free Press
- Net Worth: $15 to $20 Million
Early Life
- Raised in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh
- Grew up in a close-knit Jewish household
- Early exposure to civic debate and cultural identity shaped her worldview
Family Background
- Father: Lou Weiss
- Mother: Amy Weiss
- Siblings: Three sisters
- Notable Sibling: Suzy Weiss (journalist)
Education
- University: Columbia University
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Field of Study: History
- Active in campus journalism and student publications
Early Journalism Career
- Writer and editor at Tablet Magazine
- Covered antisemitism, culture, religion, and politics
- Later joined The Wall Street Journal as a book review editor
The New York Times (2017–2020)
- Opinion writer and editor
- Focused on free speech, cancel culture, and political extremism
- Resigned in July 2020
- Her resignation letter sparked nationwide media debate
The Free Press
- Founded: 2021
- Business Model: Subscription-based journalism
- Subscribers: 300,000+ paying readers
- Publishes essays, investigations, interviews, and commentary
Media Influence
- One of the most prominent independent media founders in the U.S.
- Frequently cited in debates on media trust and free expression
- Regular guest at public forums and speaking events
Personal Life
- Spouse: Nellie Bowles (journalist)
- Marriage: 2023
- Residence: United States
Children
- Total Children: Two
- Daughter: Born in 2022
- Son: Born in 2024
- Names: Not publicly released
Social Media
- X (Twitter): @bariweiss
- Instagram: @bariweiss
- Publishing Platform: thefp.com
Annual Income & Salary
- Estimated Annual Income: $6 million – $9 million
- Founder / Executive Compensation: $750,000 – $1.2 million
- Subscription Revenue Share: $4 million – $6 million
- Speaking Fees: $30,000 – $75,000 per event
- Book Royalties (Annual Avg.): $250,000 – $500,000
Net Worth
- Estimated Net Worth: $15 million – $25 million
- Derived from media ownership, publishing, and speaking
Books
- How to Fight Anti-Semitism (2019)
Trivia
- Hosted the podcast Honestly with Bari Weiss
- Left legacy media to build a reader-funded outlet
- Her resignation letter is studied in journalism programs
FAQs
- Who is Bari Weiss? An American journalist and media founder.
- Is she married? Yes, to Nellie Bowles.
- How many children does she have? Two.
- What is she best known for? Founding The Free Press.
Sources
- Public biographical records
- Major U.S. newspaper profiles
- University alumni information
- Publishing and media interviews
