Jesse Watters Reveals for the First Time Why His Wife Emma Suddenly Quit Her Job After Giving Birth to Their Third Child: “It was a mutual decision, but it wasn’t easy…” 💬🍼
Jesse Watters, the polarizing Fox News host of Jesse Watters Primetime and co-host of The Five, has always been a lightning rod for controversy, but his latest revelation is personal rather than political. In a candid moment on The Five in April 2025, Watters, 46, opened up for the first time about why his wife, Emma DiGiovine, 32, abruptly left her career after the birth of their third child together, a son named Theodore “Teddy” James Watters, in February 2025. “It was a mutual decision, but it wasn’t easy,” Watters said, his usual bravado softened by a rare glimpse of vulnerability. The announcement, coupled with insights from close associates and Emma’s own social media posts, has sparked widespread discussion about family, sacrifice, and the pressures of public life.
A Growing Family and a Tough Choice
Watters and DiGiovine, married since December 2019, have built a bustling family in recent years. Their first child, Jesse Bailey Watters Jr., was born in April 2021, followed by daughter Georgina “Gigi” Post Watters in April 2023. The arrival of Teddy, their third child and second son, marked a joyful milestone but also prompted a significant shift in their household. Emma, a former associate producer at Fox News and a trained ballet dancer, had been juggling part-time producing work and modeling gigs while raising their children. However, shortly after Teddy’s birth, she announced on Instagram that she was stepping away from her professional commitments, posting a photo of herself cradling Teddy with the caption, “New chapter, full-time mom mode. Grateful for my boys and girl.”
Watters elaborated on the decision during a segment on The Five, prompted by co-host Dana Perino asking about his adjustment to a family of five. “Emma and I talked it out,” Watters said. “She’s been killing it as a mom, but also trying to keep one foot in the work world. After Teddy, we realized something had to give. It was a mutual decision, but it wasn’t easy. She’s talented, and stepping back wasn’t her first instinct.” The admission was a departure from Watters’ usual on-air persona, known for provocative comments and conservative humor, offering fans a window into the couple’s private deliberations.
The Backstory: Emma’s Career and Their Scandalous Start
Emma’s decision to leave her career echoes her earlier exit from Fox News in spring 2018, though the circumstances then were markedly different. Emma, who joined Fox in 2015 as a personal assistant to John Stossel, became an associate producer on Watters’ World in 2016. It was there that she and Watters, then married to Noelle Inguagiato, began a relationship that led to a high-profile scandal. Watters admitted the affair to Fox’s HR department in November 2017, after Noelle filed for divorce in October 2017. Emma was transferred to The Ingraham Angle but left the network entirely a few months later, as reported by the New York Daily News.
Since then, Emma has pursued freelance producing and modeling, leveraging her journalism degree from Fairfield University and her experience with MSA Models. Her LinkedIn profile highlights her role as a producer for The Five and Watters’ World post-Fox, indicating she maintained ties to media projects. However, Teddy’s birth appears to have shifted her priorities. A source close to the couple told Page Six in April 2025, “Emma loved her work, but the demands of three kids under five, plus Jesse’s crazy schedule, made it impossible to do both well. She chose family, but it was a gut-wrenching call.”
The Emotional and Practical Realities
Watters’ comments on The Five hinted at the emotional weight of the decision. “Emma’s the backbone of our family,” he said. “She’s been running point on the kids, the house, even our new puppy, Cocoa. But giving up her career, even temporarily, stung. We both know it’s what’s best for now.” The couple’s move to a $2.8 million, 10,296-square-foot mansion in Bernardsville, New Jersey, in 2023 provided ample space for their growing family, but it also underscored the logistical challenges of parenting three young children while maintaining high-profile careers.
Emma’s Instagram posts offer glimpses of their life in the sprawling estate, from Teddy’s nursery decorated with nautical themes to Gigi and Jesse Jr. playing on the 5.6-acre property. A Valentine’s Day 2025 post introducing Cocoa, their new puppy, drew comments from fans and Fox colleagues like Dana Perino, who wrote, “Wow, soooooo cute!” Yet, behind the idyllic images, the decision to step back was fraught. “Emma’s always been driven,” the Page Six source added. “She danced with the New Jersey Ballet Company for over a decade and climbed the ranks at Fox. Walking away felt like letting go of a piece of herself.”
Fan Reactions and Public Scrutiny
The revelation has sparked a mix of support and skepticism among Watters’ fans, particularly given the couple’s controversial history. On X, some praised Emma’s choice, with one user posting, “Props to Emma for putting family first. That’s not easy in today’s world. Jesse’s lucky to have her.” Others referenced their past, with a commenter noting, “Emma left Fox after the affair, now this. Hope she’s finding peace with this decision.” The couple’s scandalous start—Watters admitted to letting the air out of Emma’s tires to offer her a ride, a story he later called a “joke” on The Five in 2022—continues to color public perception.
Watters’ own career remains in high gear, despite his personal life taking center stage. His $50 million contract extension with Fox News, finalized in April 2025, secures his role as host of Jesse Watters Primetime and The Five, with a reported annual salary of $24 million. The success of Primetime, which replaced Tucker Carlson’s 8 p.m. slot in 2023, has made Watters a cornerstone of Fox’s lineup, averaging 2.8 million viewers nightly in 2024. Yet, his on-air controversies, like suggesting in July 2024 that men voting for women “transition into women,” have kept him in the headlines, adding pressure to his home life.
A Family-First Future
For now, Emma’s focus is on her children and their New Jersey mansion, a far cry from the Manhattan condo they rented before 2023. The couple’s decision reflects a broader trend among high-profile families navigating the demands of public life. Watters, who shares twin daughters, Sophie and Ellie, with ex-wife Noelle, has spoken about the challenges of co-parenting across two families, noting on The Five in 2023, “It’s a lot, but the kids make it worth it.” Emma’s close relationship with Sophie and Ellie, often seen in her Instagram posts, suggests she’s embraced her role as a stepmother alongside her biological children.
Fans have speculated about whether Emma’s break is permanent, with some on X wondering if she’ll return to producing once Teddy is older. “Emma’s young and talented,” one user posted. “Bet she’s back in the game when the kids are in school.” Others see her decision as a long-term shift, with a commenter writing, “Three kids and a husband like Jesse? That’s a full-time job itself.” The couple’s history of sharing milestones—like announcing Gigi’s birth on Instagram in 2023 with “We love her so much already!”—suggests they’ll continue to offer glimpses of their journey.
A Mutual Decision with Lasting Impact
Watters’ revelation about Emma’s career pause underscores the sacrifices behind their seemingly charmed life. “It’s not forever,” he said on The Five, “but right now, it’s what we need.” The decision, while mutual, highlights the complexities of balancing ambition and family, especially under the scrutiny of public life. As Watters prepares to return to The Five after a brief absence to support Emma post-birth, his fans are rallying around the couple, with #WattersFamily trending on X in April 2025.
In their Bernardsville mansion, surrounded by Jesse Jr., Gigi, Teddy, and Cocoa, the Watters family is carving out a new normal. Emma’s choice to step back, though difficult, reflects her commitment to her children and her partnership with Watters, whose own reflections reveal a man grappling with the weight of his growing responsibilities. As they navigate this chapter, the couple’s story resonates as a reminder that even the most public figures face private crossroads, where love and family often take precedence over all else.