Over the course of their more than 20 years of marriage, Amy Baier and Fox News anchor Bret Baier have established a solid family and a strong commitment to charitable giving.
What started out as a friendship in the early 2000s swiftly developed into a long-term collaboration.
The Early Life and Career of Amy Baier: From Chicago to New York
Amy was raised in a vibrant family with three brothers, including her twin brother Danny, just outside of Chicago. Amy loved sports and had a natural competitive spirit. As a young girl, she was a great tennis player.
She went to Southern Methodist University in Texas after graduating high school and graduated with a degree in communication. Her career path first led her to New York City, where she worked as a media planner for Calvin Klein and pursued a career in fashion.
However, the terrible events of 9/11 signaled a sea change. After her lease ended, Amy made the decision to go back to Chicago and work in the medical field, which has a strong family connection. She agreed to work for Eli Lilly in the neuroscience retail division.
A Story of Long-Distance Love
Following a blind date arranged by their mutual friends at a Rolling Stone show in October 2002, Amy and Bret’s romance blossomed. Bret was regularly traveling for work at the time, going to places like Afghanistan and Iraq on assignments.
The couple managed to make it work despite their distance from one another—Amy lives in Chicago, and Brett works in Washington, D.C. On weekends, Bret would frequently fly in to see her.
Their relationship grew rapidly. Bret asked her to marry him over Thanksgiving weekend in 2003, just a year after they first met. After planning a family meal, he proposed to Amy later that night. Two years to the day after their first date, the couple got married in Chicago on October 9, 2004.
Family Life and an Emotional Journey
Named after Amy’s father, Paul Francis Baier, the couple’s first son, was born on June 29, 2007. But their happiness soon gave way to worry.
Five congenital heart defects were found by doctors within twenty-four hours of his birth. In addition to receiving ongoing treatment for congenital heart disease, Paul had major heart surgery as a newborn.
The Baier family was greatly affected by Paul’s health journey. Bret describes how their son’s strength changed their perspective on life in his book Special Heart. Amy has also discussed the importance of perspective, telling PEOPLE in 2024 that “in the Baier family, we have a saying that ‘gratitude is the attitude.'” Paul told us that.
Daniel Bret Baier, Bret and Amy’s second son, was born on July 10, 2010, making their family of four.
Amy Baier’s Dedication to Philanthropy
Amy has been actively involved in advocating for children’s healthcare for over 15 years. Her son Paul’s medical care has been greatly aided by the Children’s National Hospital Foundation, of which she has served on the board. She is currently the chair of the foundation’s board and a member of the hospital’s board of directors.
Her commitment is very intimate. Amy told DC Magazine, “Paul’s condition opened our eyes to children’s health.” “Regardless of their financial situation, we think all children should have access to the same healthcare.”
Amy and Bret are fervently committed to ensuring that every child who enters Children’s National receives high-quality care, which is made possible by her continuous fundraising efforts. She underlined that Paul’s life was saved by Children’s National.
In addition to her work in healthcare, Amy is active in a number of cultural and charitable organizations. She is actively involved with the National Museum of Women in the Arts and a member of the Kennedy Center’s National Committee for Performing Arts.
