EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Rachel Maddow Opens Up About Her Shocking Exit from MSNBC—The Real Reason She’s Leaving and What’s Coming Next Will Leave You Speechless!

After nearly two decades as a television icon, Rachel Maddow has made a significant shift in her career, stepping back from her nightly role on MSNBC. In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, Maddow discusses the reasons behind her departure, her future plans, and the personal life she has kept hidden in Western Massachusetts.

In early 2022, Rachel Maddow announced she would be reducing her schedule to one night a week, hosting “The Rachel Maddow Show” on Mondays. This decision came after a multimillion-dollar contract with NBCUniversal, allowing her to focus on other projects. During this period, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki took over the 9 p.m. time slot with her show, “The Briefing.” Maddow expressed confidence in Psaki’s ability to offer a fresh perspective rooted in her extensive government experience .

The Real Reason for the Shift

Maddow revealed that the decision to step back was not due to a desire to leave the network but rather to pursue other creative endeavors. She emphasized that she would continue her association with MSNBC, stating, “I’ll be there every Monday night on MSNBC and whenever the bat phone rings, whenever they need me to come in and do special coverage, I’ll do it” .

Outside of her television career, Maddow leads a private life in Western Massachusetts with her partner, artist Susan Mikula. The couple resides in a pre-Civil War farmhouse in Cummington, a rural town known for its natural beauty. Maddow describes her initial move to the area in 1998 as a temporary measure to focus on her dissertation, but she soon fell in love with the landscape and Mikula. The property spans 12 acres and includes a duck pond, swimming hole, and a beautifully tended garden .

Future Projects

Looking ahead, Maddow is focusing on long-form projects, including podcasts, documentaries, and books. She has established a production company, Surprise Inside, to manage these endeavors. One of her upcoming projects is a historical-narrative nonfiction podcast set in World War II-era America, which she hopes to debut this fall .

Rachel Maddow’s decision to step back from her nightly role on MSNBC marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career. While she remains committed to her work at the network, she is also exploring new creative avenues that will allow her to continue informing and engaging her audience in innovative ways. Her life in Western Massachusetts reflects her desire for privacy and connection to nature, providing a balance to her high-profile career. As she embarks on these new projects, Maddow’s influence in the media landscape is set to continue, albeit in a different form.