Rick Santelli is an American trader, commentator, editor, and journalist born in Chicago on January 12, 1953. Rick Santelli’s biography highlights a 27‑year tenure at CNBC and a pivotal 2009 on‑air moment that contributed to the early Tea Party movement.
Demographic Data and Core Attributes of Rick Santelli
Rick Santelli was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan 12, 1953. Rick Santelli attended Willowbrook High School in Villa Park before enrolling at the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign. Rick Santelli graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in economics, providing the academic foundation for a career in futures markets.
Professional Career and Trader History of Rick Santelli
Rick Santelli began a financial career in 1979 as a trader and order‑filler at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Rick Santelli’s early work spanned gold, lumber, Treasury bills, certificates of deposit, foreign currencies, and livestock, establishing broad market expertise. Rick Santelli became a member of both the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, granting direct access to major U.S. derivatives venues.
Rick Santelli served as vice president in charge of interest‑rate futures and options for Drexel Burnham Lambert at the Chicago Board of Trade, a role that deepened experience with fixed‑income products. Rick Santelli’s subsequent position as managing director of the Derivative Products Group at Geldermann expanded responsibilities to overseeing complex derivatives strategies. Rick Santelli later held the vice‑president title for Institutional Futures and Options at Rand Financial Services, further cementing a senior leadership profile in institutional trading.
Rick Santelli’s final pre‑CNBC role was vice president at Sanwa Futures, where Rick Santelli handled institutional trading and hedge‑account activities involving futures‑related products. Rick Santelli’s extensive pit experience formed the practical basis for a transition to television commentary.
Rick Santelli first appeared as a guest on CNBC in 1994 and joined the network full‑time as an on‑air editor in June 1999. Rick Santelli’s reporting focused on live coverage from Chicago’s trading floors, especially the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade. Rick Santelli’s emphasis on interest rates, foreign exchange, Federal Reserve decisions, bond auctions, and major economic releases distinguished the on‑air portfolio.
Rick Santelli contributed regularly to programs such as “Squawk on the Street,” “Squawk Box,” and “Fast Money,” delivering rapid analysis and often challenging prevailing market assumptions. Rick Santelli’s confrontational style produced notable on‑air debates with colleagues including Andrew Ross Sorkin and Becky Quick, reinforcing a reputation for vigorous market commentary.
Rick Santelli’s most widely recognized moment occurred on Feb 19, 2009, when Rick Santelli criticized the Obama administration’s Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan from the Chicago trading floor. Rick Santelli’s on‑air call for a “Chicago Tea Party” and direct question to President Obama amplified national attention and linked the clip to the emerging Tea Party movement.
Rick Santelli announced retirement from a full‑time CNBC role in September 2026, with the final full‑time day scheduled for Oct 2, 2026, coinciding with the monthly federal jobs report-a staple of Rick Santelli’s coverage. Rick Santelli agreed to remain with CNBC as a contributor, allowing occasional appearances after full‑time retirement.
Family, Brand, and Organization Connections of Rick Santelli
Rick Santelli’s family background includes being the grandson of four Italian immigrants who settled in Chicago. Rick Santelli’s early childhood was spent near Chicago’s Taylor Street before the family relocated to Lombard, Illinois, at age six.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rick Santelli
Where did Rick Santelli attend university?
Rick Santelli earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign, graduating in 1979.
What role did Rick Santelli hold at Drexel Burnham Lambert?
Rick Santelli served as vice president in charge of interest‑rate futures and options for Drexel Burnham Lambert at the Chicago Board of Trade.
When did Rick Santelli first appear on CNBC?
Rick Santelli first appeared as a guest on CNBC in 1994 before joining full‑time in June 1999.
How much did Rick Santelli pay for his Wayne, Illinois home?
Rick Santelli paid $730,000 for a roughly 5,500‑square‑foot home in Wayne, Illinois, in 2015.
How old is Rick Santelli?
Rick Santelli is 73 years old.