Kristen Welker and her husband, John Hughes, have another baby on the way! The Meet the Press host and Hughes have been married since 2017. In 2021, the couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Margot, and in May 2024, they announced they were expecting their second child.

Welker and Hughes tried for three years to conceive their first child, ultimately electing to use a surrogate after years of failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

“That really is my message to other families who are going through infertility: when you feel alone, when you feel hopeless, do not give up, keep pushing forward because it is so worth it in the end,” Welker told PEOPLE in April 2023.

Who is Kristen Welker’s Husband, John Hughes?

John Hughes is a marketing executive at a pharmaceutical company. At the time of their wedding in 2017, Hughes was a marketing director at Merck, a pharmaceutical company based in Philadelphia, according to The New York Times.

While he has since stayed off LinkedIn, his support for Kristen during the COVID-19 pandemic was evident. Welker joked to PEOPLE in August 2020 that Hughes could pursue a career as a producer, having learned how to run a teleprompter while helping her film NBC segments.

“He’s just so supportive and just jumps right in,” she said. “We joke that he’ll be joining the union soon because he knows how to use all of the equipment.”

How Kristen Welker and John Hughes Met

Before meeting Hughes in October 2014, Welker had accepted that marriage might not happen for her as she was in her late 30s.

However, a mutual friend set them up on a date, and everything changed. Welker was impressed by Hughes’s plan to win her over, which included making her laugh.

Their first date in Philadelphia left a strong impression on Hughes, who admired how put-together Welker was. Despite almost missing their second date due to breaking news, Hughes’s thoughtful gift—a crossword puzzle of presidential trivia—won Welker over.

“That’s the moment he got me,” she said. “As a White House correspondent, it was so touching, and it marked him different than anyone else I ever dated.”

Overcoming Long-Distance Challenges

Six months into their relationship, Welker and Hughes faced the challenge of long-distance as she covered the presidential campaign.

Hughes demonstrated his commitment by flying out to see her, even overcoming obstacles like snowstorms by taking an Amtrak train to Boston and renting a car to meet her.

“We were head over heels for each other,” he said. “But it was tough. We never knew where she was going to be.”

A Memorable Proposal at the Lincoln Memorial

Hughes planned a special proposal for Welker in Washington D.C., taking advantage of a brief 24-hour window between her campaign stops.

After attending a real estate open house, Hughes directed their cab to the Lincoln Memorial. He wanted the proposal to occur in a memorable location where they could later tell their children the story.

“I wanted to ask her outside in a place you could walk by years later and tell your kids that this was the spot we got engaged,” Hughes told NYT. Welker enthusiastically accepted his proposal before he could finish asking.

Their Wedding and Family Life

Kristen Welker and John Hughes got married on March 4, 2017, at The Hyatt at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia.

The couple celebrated their wedding with family and friends, and Welker wore a stunning Vera Wang dress while Hughes opted for a Michael Kors tuxedo. Their first dance was to Etta James’ “At Last.”

Welcoming Their Daughter, Margot

The couple faced challenges in conceiving their first child, eventually turning to a surrogate after three years of trying.

Welker consulted with multiple doctors and faced the heartbreaking news that she might not be able to carry a child. In 2019, they matched with a surrogate, and their daughter, Margot Lane, was born on June 12, 2021.

“I was the first person to catch her and to hold her. I felt the most incredible bond with her, and that maternal instinct kicked in immediately,” Welker told PEOPLE. Welker emphasized the importance of sharing her journey to help others facing similar struggles, providing support and hope to those dealing with infertility.

Expecting Their Second Child

In May 2024, Welker announced that she and Hughes were expecting their second child, a baby boy due in June, also via surrogate. Welker expressed excitement about Margot becoming a big sister, noting that Margot had been proudly telling her classmates about the upcoming addition to their family.

Welker admitted she was initially nervous about bonding with her first child, but her fears were alleviated after Margot’s birth. This time, she has been able to enjoy the surrogacy journey more, with fewer worries.

Conclusion

Kristen Welker and John Hughes’s love story is one of perseverance, support, and unwavering commitment. From their first date to overcoming infertility challenges, they have built a life filled with love and resilience.

As they prepare to welcome their second child, their journey continues to inspire and offer hope to others facing similar struggles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How did Kristen Welker and John Hughes meet?
Kristen Welker and John Hughes were set up on a date by a mutual friend in October 2014. They hit it off immediately, and Hughes’s thoughtful gestures quickly won Welker over.

2. What does John Hughes do for a living?
John Hughes is a marketing executive at a pharmaceutical company. At the time of their wedding in 2017, he was a marketing director at Merck.

3. How many children do Kristen Welker and John Hughes have?
Kristen Welker and John Hughes have one daughter, Margot Lane, born in June 2021, and they are expecting their second child, a baby boy, in June 2024.

4. How did the couple handle long-distance challenges?
During the early stages of their relationship, Welker traveled extensively for work. Hughes often flew out to meet her, overcoming various obstacles to spend time together.

5. Where did John Hughes propose to Kristen Welker?
John Hughes proposed to Kristen Welker at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., creating a memorable moment in a significant location.