His net worth sits between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026, a figure built on four decades of honest forecasting. He wakes up before dawn each day to keep KING 5 viewers safe from storms and heatwaves.
His calm voice and sharp analysis have made him a household name across the Pacific Northwest. This article reveals everything about his life, career, and the quiet battle he fights off-screen.
Rich Marriott Biography and Wiki
He is an American meteorologist who has worked at KING 5 News in Seattle for over thirty-five years. Before television, he co-founded the Northwest Avalanche Center and served as a forest service meteorologist.
His expertise covers mountain weather, avalanche safety, and climate science. Viewers trust him because he explains complex weather patterns in simple, clear language. He has won an Emmy award for his outstanding weather reporting on climate change.
Rich Marriott Education
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also earned a master’s degree in Meteorology from the same university. After that, he completed another degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington.
This strong educational background gives him the scientific foundation to forecast accurately. His training includes advanced forecasting techniques from NOAA and a broadcast meteorology certificate from Mississippi State University.
Rich Marriott Age | how old is he ?
He was born on August 19, 1955, which makes him 70 years old as of 2026. His birthday falls in late summer, a time when Seattle enjoys some of its warmest and driest weather.
Despite his age, he continues to work the early morning shift without slowing down. He brings decades of experience to every single forecast he delivers. His energy and passion for weather remain as strong as ever.
Rich Marriott Family
He grew up in Long Beach, California, where his love for weather first took root. His parents were educators who encouraged his scientific curiosity from a young age.
He later moved to Washington state for university and never left the Pacific Northwest. His family now includes his wife, children, and grandchildren who support his demanding career. He keeps his family life private, but they remain his biggest source of strength.
Rich Marriott First Wife and Divorce
He was married once before finding lasting love with his current wife. The identity of his first wife remains out of the public spotlight. The couple separated and divorced many years ago, but the reasons stay private.
He rarely discusses this chapter of his life in interviews or on air. That relationship ended quietly before he became a well-known television personality.
Rich Marriott Second Wife
He married his second wife, Sarah, after meeting her during a storm chasing expedition in 1988. Their shared passion for weather and outdoor adventures brought them close very quickly.
Sarah has stayed away from the media, preferring to support her husband from behind the scenes. The couple has now been married for over thirty-five years. Their relationship proves that love can grow even in the middle of a thunderstorm.
Rich Marriott Children
He is a proud father of three children, including two adult children from his earlier marriage. He also has a younger son who still lives at home with him and Sarah.
His children have inherited his love for science and the outdoors. He often involves them in his weather projects and educational programs. Being a father clearly brings him as much joy as delivering a perfect forecast.
Rich Marriott Height
He stands approximately five feet and eleven inches tall, which is about 1.8 meters. His height gives him a confident and approachable presence on the television screen.
Rich Marriott career journey : The Rise of a Weather Guru
He started his career at the Northwest Avalanche Center, where he worked for fifteen years. His job required him to provide detailed mountain weather and avalanche forecasts to government agencies.
He also installed some of the first remotely telemetered mountain weather stations in the Northwest. This hands-on experience taught him how weather behaves in rugged, unpredictable environments. Eventually, local TV weathercasters noticed his talent and encouraged him to try broadcasting.
Breakthrough Moments
In 1980, he helped provide avalanche hazard information to scientists working on Mount St. Helens. That eruption became a defining moment in his early career as a forecaster.
Later, he launched the SchoolNet program in 1989, connecting local schools to live weather stations. He also pioneered the use of 3D weather graphics in local television forecasting during the 1990s. Each breakthrough made Seattle’s weather coverage smarter, clearer, and more engaging.
Joining KING 5: A Turning Point
He joined KING 5 in 1985, initially working weekend evening newscasts while still at NWAC. After three years, the station offered him a full-time position doing weekday morning forecasts.
That move completely changed his professional life and brought him into thousands of Seattle homes. He brought a fresh, conversational approach to weather reporting that viewers loved immediately. Joining KING 5 turned him from a behind-the-scenes scientist into a trusted public figure.
KING 5 Legacy
His thirty-five plus years at KING 5 have made him the longest-serving meteorologist in Seattle television history. He has covered everything from the 2001 Nisqually earthquake to major snowstorms and heatwaves. His annual Snow Watch specials have become a winter tradition for families across Washington state.
Beyond broadcasting, he pioneered online weather blogging and integrated social media into his forecasts. His legacy is one of accuracy, warmth, and a genuine commitment to public safety.
Rich Marriott Net Worth 2026
His net worth currently falls between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026. He earns an annual salary ranging from $108,545 to $167,435 for his work at KING 5.
This income reflects his four decades of experience and his status as an Emmy-winning meteorologist. His wealth also comes from speaking engagements and consulting work in avalanche safety. Despite his success, he lives a relatively modest life focused on family and service.
Looking to the Future
He shows no signs of retiring anytime soon, despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 & He continues to mentor young meteorologists and expand KING 5’s weather education initiatives. He plans to adapt to new forecasting technologies like artificial intelligence and improved radar systems.
His goal remains to keep Seattle viewers informed and safe as the climate continues to change. The future holds new challenges, but he faces them with the same steady confidence.
Rich Marriottnbvcfl Lasting Legacy
He has inspired countless young people to pursue careers in meteorology and climate science & he has improved public understanding of how local weather works and why it matters.
He has set a gold standard for honest, clear, and caring weather reporting on local television. His work has saved lives by warning communities about dangerous storms and avalanche risks. He will be remembered as more than a weatherman; he is a true public servant.
Case Study: The SchoolNet Program
He launched SchoolNet in 1989 to connect local schools with real-time weather data stations. He installed weather stations at fifty area schools and developed science curriculum for K-12 students.
Teachers reported a thirty-five percent increase in student engagement with STEM subjects after joining the program. Students learned to read weather patterns and understand their local environment in a hands-on way. This program has since been replicated in other cities across the United States.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Weatherman
Rich Marriott is not just a man who tells you if it will rain tomorrow. He is a scientist, an educator, a father, and a survivor who keeps showing up every single day.
His net worth may sit at a few million dollars, but his real value to Seattle is beyond measure. He has faced Parkinson’s disease with courage while continuing to serve his community faithfully. Next time you see him on KING 5, remember that you are watching a true legend at work.
FAQs
1. Does Rich Marriott have Parkinson disease?
Yes, he publicly shared his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 but continues working as KING 5’s morning meteorologist.
2. Is Rich Marriott retiring from KING 5 News?
No, he has not announced any retirement plans and still delivers weather forecasts regularly.
3. What is Rich Marriott net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026.
4. Who is Rich Marriott wife?
He is married toSarah, whom he met during a storm chasing expedition in 1988.
5. How old is Rich Marriott?
He was born on August 19, 1955, making him 70 years old as of 2026.
