Mike Barnicle net worth, biography, children, family, wife

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<a href="/biography/mike-barnicle">Michael Barnicle</a> was born on October 13, 1943, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a prominent American print and <a href="/biography/mike-barnicle">broadcast journalist</a>, as well as a seasoned social and political commentator. He currently serves as a senior contributor on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

<h2>Early Life and Political Awakening</h2>

Barnicle grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and graduated from Boston University in 1965. His formative years were influenced heavily by his early exposure to politics and social issues. In 1968, he volunteered for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy">Robert F. Kennedy</a>’s presidential campaign—not only in Massachusetts, but in other states as well. The experience offered him a compelling glimpse into the mechanics of governance and political movements.

The assassination of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy">Robert F. Kennedy</a> profoundly affected Barnicle. He saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy">Kennedy</a> as a principled leader who championed social justice and equality. Barnicle's relationship with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy">Kennedy</a> family was close enough that he was invited to attend <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_F._Kennedy">Robert F. Kennedy</a>’s funeral, including the Requiem Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the funeral train to Arlington National Cemetery. This tragic event strengthened his resolve to use journalism as a tool for civic engagement and justice.

<h2>Rise in Journalism and Broadcasting</h2>

Barnicle's journalism career gained momentum in the early 1970s. Through a connection with <a href="/biography/robert-redford">actor</a> <a href="/biography/robert-redford">Robert Redford</a> during the filming of The Candidate, Barnicle was offered the opportunity to write a column for The Boston Globe. He held that role from 1973 to 1998, writing extensively about the socio-political landscape of Boston. His coverage of the court-ordered school desegregation in the 1970s garnered significant attention for its depth and candidness.

Over his career, Barnicle has penned more than 4,000 columns for major publications including The Boston Globe, New York Daily News, and The Boston Herald. His articles often focused on the lives and struggles of Boston's working-class residents. His compelling storytelling caught the eye of national outlets such as Time Magazine, Esquire, ESPN The Magazine, The Daily Beast, and The Huffington Post.

In broadcasting, Barnicle has been a regular <a href="/biography/mike-barnicle">contributor</a> since 1986 to Chronicle on Boston’s WCVB-TV. He also appeared on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews and NBC’s Today Show, delivering news and feature commentary. His television career includes appearances on PBS’s <a href="/biography/charlie-rose">Charlie Rose</a>, the PBS NewsHour, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and sports networks like ESPN and HBO.

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<h2>Advocacy and Social Commentary</h2>

Barnicle is known for his strong voice on issues of social change and policy. Although the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Common Ground: A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families was written by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Anthony_Lukas">J. Anthony Lukas</a>—not Barnicle—it covers themes similar to those expressed in Barnicle's own columns: the challenges and disparities exposed during Boston's school desegregation era.

Barnicle's writing often critiques systemic government failures while giving voice to individuals coping with economic and social hardships. His commentary blends analytical insight with human interest to make complex issues accessible to the broader public, earning him recognition as a significant New England journalist.

In a Chronicle WCVB-TV special program commemorating <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy">John F. Kennedy</a>’s 100th birthday, Barnicle expressed concern over the nation’s shifting historical consciousness. He lamented that modern generations are more attuned to pop culture than to pivotal historical figures like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy">JFK</a>. This sentiment extended to his critical view of recent political developments, where he expressed a sense of decline from idealistic statesmanship to media-driven populism. His opinions have sparked both admiration and debate, particularly regarding civic responsibility and historical literacy.

<h2>Passion for Baseball and Boston Identity</h2>

A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, Barnicle has often written about the team's cultural significance to the city. In an interview with MSNBC, he reflected on the emotional ties Bostonians have with Fenway Park, noting, “It’s about permanence in a world that’s constantly changing.” His reflections reveal a longing for continuity in settings that define personal and regional identity. He contrasts modern societal shifts—such as increasing divorce rates and transient lifestyles—with the enduring constancy of beloved landmarks like Fenway.

<h2>Personal Life</h2>

Mike Barnicle is married to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Finucane">Anne Finucane</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Finucane">vice chair</a> of Bank of America and a prominent figure in the financial industry. The couple resides in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and together they have four children. Their partnership exemplifies a balance between public service, journalism, and corporate leadership, underscoring Barnicle’s grounding in family and community values.

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