The “Money Honey” Nickname: Maria Bartiromo’s Complicated Legacy
Maria Bartiromo, a trailblazing financial journalist, has been a prominent figure in broadcast media for decades. Known for her groundbreaking work as the first reporter to broadcast live from the New York Stock Exchange floor in 1995, Bartiromo carved out a reputation as a sharp, charismatic anchor at CNBC before moving to Fox Business Network in 2013. However, one aspect of her career that has followed her persistently—and not always welcome—is the nickname “Money Honey.” This moniker, coined in the 1990s, encapsulates both her early success and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, as well as sparking recent controversy when Fox News colleague Jesse Watters invoked it in 2025. This article explores the origins, impact, and ongoing debate surrounding the “Money Honey” nickname.
Origins of the Nickname
The “Money Honey” nickname emerged during Bartiromo’s tenure at CNBC, where she spent 20 years covering financial markets. As a young reporter, she broke barriers by reporting live from the frenetic NYSE trading floor, a space historically dominated by men. Her poise, knowledge, and on-screen presence caught the attention of viewers and the media alike. New York tabloids, recognizing her appeal and her role as a financial reporter, dubbed her “Money Honey” in the 1990s, a term that highlighted her charisma but also emphasized her appearance over her journalistic credentials. Bartiromo herself briefly trademarked the nickname, reflecting an initial acceptance of its marketability, but she later abandoned the trademark, signaling discomfort with its implications.
The nickname was not without cultural impact. In 2000, Joey Ramone of The Ramones wrote a song titled “Maria Bartiromo,” inspired by her CNBC broadcasts, with lyrics like, “I watch you on the TV every single day.” The punk rock tribute underscored her influence, but the “Money Honey” label—used in media and even referenced by figures like Roger Ailes—often overshadowed her professional achievements, reducing her to a catchy, gendered moniker.
Bartiromo’s Reaction and Industry Context
While Bartiromo publicly played off the nickname gracefully, reports suggest she privately bristled at its use, feeling it undermined her credibility as a journalist. The term, laden with connotations of charm and femininity, clashed with her identity as a pioneering reporter who earned respect through her market insights and tenacity. In a 2010 Gawker article, it was noted that Bartiromo had dropped her trademark on “Money Honey,” suggesting a desire to distance herself from it as Wall Street’s image evolved. This tension reflects a broader challenge for women in media, where appearance-based nicknames can overshadow substantive contributions, a phenomenon less common for male counterparts.
The nickname’s persistence highlights the double standards Bartiromo faced. As the first woman to report live from the NYSE floor, she navigated a high-pressure environment where traders physically jostled her, yet her professional milestones were often framed through a lens of gendered appeal. The “Money Honey” label, while initially boosting her visibility, became a double-edged sword, complicating her efforts to be seen solely as a serious journalist.
Jesse Watters Mentioning the Nickname in 2025
The “Money Honey” nickname resurfaced in a controversial moment on September 1, 2025, during a segment on Fox News’ The Five. Host Jesse Watters, reflecting on his early career as an intern at the New York Stock Exchange, recounted seeing Bartiromo there and referred to her as “Money Honey.” He proudly noted, “I actually work with Money Honey. And I’ve been working with Money Honey for all these years,” seemingly unaware of or indifferent to her discomfort with the term. According to reports from Yahoo and News Minimalist, co-host Lisa Kennedy pointed out that Bartiromo was “not terribly pleased” when Watters used the nickname at an event, to which Watters responded with surprise, asking, “Does she not like that name?” Greg Gutfeld confirmed, “Not at all.”
Watters’ defense of his use of the nickname was particularly striking. He justified it by invoking the political climate, stating, “We can say it—Trump is in office!” This comment, as reported by MSN and Yahoo, suggested that Watters believed the nickname’s use was permissible under a less “politically correct” administration, a stance that drew criticism for its insensitivity. The incident sparked discussions about workplace respect and the persistence of outdated gendered language, with outlets like dnyuz.com noting Watters’ apparent cluelessness about the term’s impact on his colleague.
Bartiromo did not publicly comment on the incident, consistent with her approach to downplaying the nickname’s significance in public. However, the moment underscored the ongoing challenge of shaking off a label that she has long sought to move beyond, even as she continues to thrive at Fox Business, where she hosts Mornings with Maria and contributes to Jesse Watters Primetime.
