Nikki Battiste Biography
Nikki Battiste is an American Emmy Award-winning anchor working at CBS News. As of August 10, 2026, she will be serving as the anchor of the Early Today newscast. In addition, she will still be serving as a contributor on the TODAY newscast.
Nikki Battiste Career
Battiste attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. While she was at the university, she was part of the hockey team and served as the captain. Following her graduation, she joined NBC News, where she served as a production associate of Today for 2 years. Later on, she joined Telepictures, where she served as a producer for 2 years, and in 2007, she left the station.
In addition, Nikki has also worked at ABC News, where she was an editorial producer for the primetime newscast. During her time at ABC News, she reported for Nightline, Good Morning America, 20/20, and ABC World News Tonight. Furthermore, while she was at ABC News, she earned an Emmy and Peabody Award for her outstanding work. Battiste worked at ABC News for a total of 6 years and 3 months.
After her time at ABC News, Nikki joined CBS News in May 2017 as a correspondent. She served as a correspondent for 1 year and 4 months and was later promoted to the national correspondent position. Battiste worked as a national correspondent for 7 and a half years. Later on, she was promoted to being the contributor of a 48-hour newscast, a position she has served in for 6 and a half years. In addition, Nikki has also appeared on CBS Evening News, CBS Sunday Morning, and CBS Mornings. As of August 10, 2026, Battiste will be serving as the anchor of the Early Today newscast.
Nikki Battiste Early Today
In October 2025, CBS News laid off eight of its on-air personalities, including Battiste. Following anchor Frances Rivera retirement, who was early today’s anchor, Battiste returned to the station. Following this, she was assigned the anchor of the Early Today newscast, a role she is set to start as of August 10, 2026.
Nikki Battiste Salary
Battiste earns an annual salary of about $47,000-$120,000.
Nikki Battiste Net Worth
Battiste has an estimated net worth of about $1 Million – $7 Million which she has earned through her career as a journalist.
Nikki Battiste Age
Battiste was born on January 11, 1980, in the United States. She is 46 years old as of 2026, and she celebrates her birthday on the 11th of January every year. Nikki and her husband, Dean, are age mates.
Nikki Battiste Height and Weight
Battiste stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Nikki Battiste Family
Battiste’s mother is known as Judy Battistle, who was a public high school teacher for 40 years. Her mother was born on the 10th of September, while her father was born on the 10th of May. Nikki was brought up alongside her younger brother, Brandon, who was born on October 6th.
Nikki Battiste Husband
Battiste is married to Dean Simpson, whom she met in May of 2012 at the Standard Hotel’s Biergarten in New York City. Dean and Nikki had their wedding on September 5th, 2016, at Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York City. They got married while they were both 36 years old.
Nikki Battiste Infertility
Battiste and husband Dean opened up publicly about their struggle with secondary infertility and IVF. They opened up on a special reporting series on CBS News. She stated that as a result of her age, she had difficulty conceiving. Her gynecologist stated that she had low ovarian reserve, and she even considered IVF treatment.
Nikki Battiste Children
Battiste and her husband have been blessed with two children. They had their son, Beau Nicholas Battiste-Simpson, who was born on May 12, 2020, weighing 8 lbs 6 oz and measuring 20 inches. Later on, they were blessed with a daughter, Vinniana Hope Battiste-Simpson, who was born on July 14, 2023. They named her Vinniana, meaning “alive,” and Hope, because of their infertility journey, as she restored their hope.
Nikki Battiste Social Media Platform
Battiste is very active on her Twitter, and Instagram pages. She has 6.2k followers on Twitter and 1.3k followers on Instagram.