Emily Compagno has learned to lean on faith. While chatting with fellow Fox host Dana Perino, Compagno shared what keeps her going: “Faith, gratitude and inherent joy. And a large battery pack attached to my side.”
When Perino asked how she deals with life’s highs and lows, Emily responded,
“Always walk by faith. All things work for the good of those who love the Lord, and He has ordered all our steps! On the earthly side, follow your dreams, listen to your heart and never give up. You are always enough!”
And if you look at where she is today, those words feel like more than just a personal mantra. Born on November 9, 1979, in Oakland, California, Emily has faced both career pressures and personal shifts, but she’s learning to embrace it all with a sense of calm.
She’s currently enjoying life on her own, after quietly going through a divorce.
Who Is Emily Compagno’s Husband, Peter?
Emily was previously married to Peter Riley. The two first met when they were teenagers, but went their separate ways after high school. Years later, in 2014, they crossed paths again on a Seattle sidewalk. That unexpected moment turned into something more, and in 2017, they got married in a private ceremony at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, Italy.
Emily’s ex-husband, Peter, born in 1979, is originally from Portland, Oregon. He works as a real estate broker for Berkshire Hathaway in the Northwest region. Before stepping into real estate, he earned a degree in Geology, Computer Applications, and Data Analysis at Portland State University and also worked as a data analyst for several years.
Her Life Alone Isn’t Quiet
If Emily Compagno has any regrets about going solo, she doesn’t show it. In fact, she seems more dialed in than ever. Her social media offers a glimpse into a life that’s full—candid selfies, outdoor adventures, and a passion for firearms, something that often surprises people who only know her from television.
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Her interest in guns might seem like a personal quirk, but it makes a lot more sense when you look at where she comes from. Emily grew up in a family with deep military ties. Her father, John Compagno, served as a Commander in the U.S. Navy, and her great-grandfather, William Harry Bertsch, was a World War II veteran who received a Silver Star for his service.
Even her name has meaning. Emily Rose was named after her great-great-grandmother, a Gold Star mother who stood alongside 350 others in 1930 to honor the sons they lost.
From the Sidelines to the Studio
She studied political science at the University of Washington, then went on to earn her law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
While still in school, she joined the Oakland Raiders’ cheerleading squad, eventually serving as captain of the Raiderettes. Her time there opened unexpected doors: the NFL selected her as an ambassador to represent the league in Beijing and Shanghai. She was also chosen by the USO as one of five cheerleaders to visit American troops in Iraq and Kuwait.
After finishing law school, Emily began working as a criminal defense attorney in San Francisco. Later, she served as a federal attorney with the Social Security Administration.
Today, she co-hosts Outnumbered on Fox News and leads The FOX True Crime Podcast.
