Susan Waren: Joe Scarborough’s Ex-Wife and Her Private Life

Editorial TeamBiographyNovember 20, 2025

Susan Waren became publicly known through her marriage to Joe Scarborough, but her career in politics and public service began years before. She worked as an aide to Florida Governor Jeb Bush and served on congressional committees during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her decision to maintain privacy, even while married to a prominent media figure, sets her apart from typical celebrity spouses.

Susan Waren is an American philanthropist and former political aide who worked for Florida Governor Jeb Bush before marrying MSNBC host Joe Scarborough in 2001. They divorced in 2013 after 12 years of marriage and share two children: Katherine Clark and Jack Scarborough.

Early Career and Background

Susan Waren built her career in Florida politics before meeting Joe Scarborough. She worked as an aide to Governor Jeb Bush, though specific dates and responsibilities remain private. Congressional records show she also held a position as a professional staff member for the House Government Reform Committee’s Civil Service and Agency Organization Subcommittee around 2001.

Her educational background has never been publicly confirmed. Most sources estimate she attended college and possibly studied communications or political science, but no institution or degree has been verified. Born in 1969 or 1970 (sources differ), she would have been in her early 30s when she married Scarborough.

Marriage to Joe Scarborough

Susan married Joe Scarborough in October 2001, right as his career shifted from Congress to television. Scarborough had resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives earlier that year and was transitioning into his role as an MSNBC host. The wedding was a private affair with close family and friends.

Joe Scarborough served as a Republican congressman for Florida’s 1st district from 1995 to 2001. He left politics to launch “Scarborough Country” on MSNBC, which later became “Morning Joe” in 2007. Susan supported him through this career change while staying completely out of the public eye.

Their marriage lasted 12 years. Joe filed for divorce in September 2012, and it was finalized in January 2013. The couple kept the proceedings quiet—most media outlets didn’t report the split until late 2013.

Children and Family

Susan and Joe have two children together. Their daughter, Katherine Clark Scarborough, was born on August 8, 2003. She occasionally appears with her father at public events. Their son, Jack Scarborough, was born in May 2008 and maintains an even lower profile.

Susan also became stepmother to Joe’s two sons from his first marriage to Melanie Hinton: Andrew and Joey Scarborough. Andrew has spoken publicly about living with Asperger’s syndrome and Type 1 diabetes. Managing a blended family of four children required coordination and discretion.

The Divorce Settlement

The divorce agreement included specific financial terms reported by TMZ and other outlets. Joe paid Susan a lump sum of $150,000 at the time of separation. He also agreed to monthly alimony payments of $30,000 for five years, followed by $25,000 per month for an additional two years.

Joe retained his MSNBC salary, which was approximately $99,000 per week at the time. Susan received the couple’s home in Connecticut, and Joe committed to covering their children’s educational expenses. They share joint legal custody of both Katherine and Jack.

Unusual Living Arrangement

Court documents revealed an uncommon detail: for a period after the divorce, both parents continued living in the Connecticut home with their children. The agreement included strict boundaries. Neither could enter the other’s bedroom except in emergencies. They couldn’t visit each other’s side of the house after 7 p.m. This arrangement allowed the children stability while their parents separated.

In the divorce papers, Susan acknowledged that Joe had been a “faithful, devoted, and committed” husband and father. The split appeared amicable with no public disputes.

Professional and Philanthropic Work

Susan’s charitable work has been mentioned in multiple sources, but details are often confused. Some articles claim she worked with the Sherwood Foundation (formerly the Susan A. Buffett Foundation) in Nebraska. Other sources state she was involved with the Florida Governor’s Mansion Foundation, focusing on historic preservation.

The Florida connection appears more credible given her work history with Governor Bush. Historic preservation projects would align with her background in government and public service. However, neither organization has publicly confirmed her involvement or role.

Susan also wrote a blog called SouthXNortheast, which explored her experiences living in different parts of the United States. The blog hasn’t been updated since 2015 and provides little insight into her current activities.

Life After Divorce

Since 2013, Susan has maintained complete privacy. She has no verified social media accounts. No interviews or public statements have emerged. She hasn’t been linked to any romantic relationships in the years following her divorce.

Reports suggest she lives somewhere in Florida or the southeastern United States, likely focusing on raising her children. Both Katherine and Jack are now young adults—Katherine in her early 20s and Jack in his late teens.

Susan’s net worth is estimated between $300,000 and $1 million, depending on the source. This includes her divorce settlement, any career earnings, and possible investments. The figures are speculative since she doesn’t discuss finances publicly.

Joe Scarborough’s Other Marriages

Joe Scarborough has been married three times. His first marriage was to Melanie Hinton in 1986. They met at the University of Alabama and divorced in 1999 after having two sons together.

After divorcing Susan in 2013, Joe began a relationship with his “Morning Joe” co-host, Mika Brzezinski. They announced their engagement in May 2018 while vacationing in France. The couple married in November 2018 in a ceremony officiated by Rep. Elijah Cummings at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Timeline Context

Joe’s three marriages span nearly four decades. His first marriage lasted 13 years (1986-1999). His marriage to Susan lasted 12 years (2001-2013). He married Mika five years after his divorce from Susan was finalized. All six of his children—two from each marriage and Mika’s two daughters from her previous marriage—attended his wedding to Mika.

Why Susan Waren Matters

Susan Waren represents something uncommon in modern media culture. She was married to a prominent television personality during the height of his career, yet she managed to avoid becoming a public figure herself. She never leveraged her connection for fame, book deals, or media appearances.

Her commitment to privacy has protected her children from unnecessary scrutiny. In an era where reality TV and social media blur all boundaries, Susan chose a different path. She worked in politics and public service on her own terms before her marriage, and she continues to live privately after it.

The limited information available about Susan comes almost entirely from legal documents and third-party sources. She hasn’t spoken publicly about her marriage, divorce, or current life. That choice deserves respect.

Most articles about Susan repeat the same basic facts because there’s simply not much public information to share. This article acknowledges reality rather than speculating about unknowns. What we know is that Susan Waren worked in Florida politics, married a congressman-turned-TV host, raised four children in a blended family, and has chosen privacy ever since.

That’s her story as far as the public record shows. Anything beyond that remains her business.