Key Takeaways
- Kari and Jeff’s marriage has been strong for over 20 years.
- They have two children, Ruby and Leo.
- Kari’s first marriage was to Tracy Finnegan, an electrical engineer.
Kari Lake, an American politician and former television anchor, has been married to her husband, Jeff Halperin, since September 26, 1998.
Over more than two decades, their marriage has grown stronger and continues to thrive.
The two first met while working in broadcast journalism in Arizona. Kari was a news anchor, and Jeff, a cameraman, worked alongside her at KPNX-TV in the mid-1990s.
Their professional collaboration soon blossomed into a romantic relationship, and they eventually married later that same year.
Together, they have two children: a daughter, Ruby, born on March 30, 2003, and a son, Leo, born on October 10, 2008.
Kari and Jeff maintain a close, supportive bond, and Jeff is often seen by Kari’s side at political events, backing her career with dedication.
The Halperin family resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where they enjoy a quiet, private family life despite Kari’s public profile.
Before marrying Jeff, Kari was previously married to Tracy Finnegan, an electrical engineer.
Although her marriage with Finnegan ended in divorce, she found lasting companionship with Jeff Halperin.
Inside Jeff Halperin’s Professional Background: From NBC to ZenHD
Jeff Halperin was born on September 20, 1967, and is of Colombian descent. He is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish fluently, and has family roots in Colombia.
Jeff graduated from Creighton University with a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and history.
He started his journalism career in the early 1990s at NBC News, working as a news editor and photographer, covering significant events like the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 attacks.
Halperin, a videographer at Phoenix’s KPNX-TV, met his future wife, Lake, while they both worked at the NBC affiliate.
Jeff met Kari Lake while both were working at KPNX-TV, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, where Jeff was a videographer.
In the year 2000, he moved to Albany, New York, to work as a news photographer for WNYT-TV.
Later, Jeff transitioned from local news to work independently as a videographer.
Posted by Jeff Halperin on Friday, August 24, 2012
Leveraging his industry experience, he founded ZenHD, an Arizona production company specializing in video production, including documentaries and broadcast projects.
Jeff provides his skills in various roles, such as Director of Photography (DP), cameraman, and cinematographer.
In 2021, he launched another media company, Awake Media, with Kari Lake listed as the manager.
One of Jeff’s notable projects was his role in the Emmy-nominated ESPN documentary “Enes Kanter: Enemy of the State,” which showcases the activism of Turkish NBA player Enes Kanter.
Jeff prefers to keep a low profile but is actively supportive of Kari’s political career, occasionally appearing in her social media posts.
His life reflects a balanced commitment to career success, business ventures, and family, showing his dedication to both professional achievements and family life, even with public demands.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kari Lake was born in 1969 in Rock Island, Illinois, to parents Larry and Sheila Lake.
- She graduated from North Scott Senior High School in Eldridge, Iowa, before receiving a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and communications from the University of Iowa.
- In October 2023, Republican Kari declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat in Arizona’s 2024 election, winning her party’s nomination in July 2024.
