If you are a fan of political news and commentary, you may have heard of Mika Brzezinski and Mark Brzezinski. Mika is a popular talk show host and liberal political commentator who co-hosts MSNBC’s weekday morning show Morning Joe. Mark is an American lawyer and diplomat who serves as the United States Ambassador to Poland since 2022. But are they related? And if so, how?
Contents
The Brzezinski Family Legacy
The answer is yes, Mika and Mark are related. They are siblings, in fact. They are the children of Zbigniew Brzezinski, a Polish-born foreign policy expert and former National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter, and Emilie Benes Brzezinski, a Swiss-born sculptor and grandniece of former Czechoslovak president Edvard Beneš
Mika and Mark have another brother, Ian Brzezinski, who is a military expert and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO Policy. They also have a cousin, Matthew Brzezinski, who is an author and journalist
The Brzezinski family has a long and distinguished history of public service, intellectual achievement, and artistic expression. They have been influential in shaping the US foreign policy, especially towards Europe and Asia, as well as promoting democracy and human rights around the world
The Siblings’ Career Paths
Mika and Mark have followed different but equally successful career paths in their respective fields. Mika started her career in journalism as an assistant at ABC’s World News This Morning in 1990. She then worked as a reporter and anchor for various local stations before joining CBS News as their principal “Ground Zero” reporter during the September 11 attacks. In 2007, she joined MSNBC as an occasional anchor and was later chosen as co-host of Morning Joe, alongside Joe Scarborough, whom she married in 2018. She is also the author of three books on her career, women’s empowerment, and food addiction
Mark graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in government, earned a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School, and holds a doctorate in political science from Oxford University. He also received a Fulbright Scholarship to study the Constitutional Tribunal of Poland. He worked as a corporate and securities lawyer before joining the Clinton administration as a director of Russian/Eurasian affairs and Southeast European affairs at the National Security Council. He was a foreign policy advisor to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, who appointed him as Ambassador to Sweden from 2011 to 2015. In 2021, he was nominated by President Joe Biden to be the Ambassador to Poland, a position he assumed in 2022. He has also been awarded several honors by foreign governments for his diplomatic service
The Siblings’ Relationship
Mika and Mark have a close and supportive relationship as siblings. They often appear together on TV shows or podcasts to discuss current events, politics, and their family background. They also share personal stories and anecdotes about their upbringing, their parents, their spouses, and their children. They have expressed admiration and respect for each other’s achievements and perspectives
Mika has described Mark as her “best friend” and her “hero”. She has praised his intelligence, courage, compassion, and humor. She has also credited him for inspiring her to pursue journalism and for helping her overcome her struggles with food addiction
Mark has described Mika as his “big sister” and his “role model”. He has applauded her professionalism, integrity, passion, and resilience. He has also thanked her for being there for him during his divorce and for introducing him to his second wife, Natalia Brzezinski (whom he later divorced).
Conclusion
Mika Brzezinski and Mark Brzezinski are related by blood and by bond. They are siblings who share a remarkable family legacy, impressive career achievements, and a strong mutual affection. They are not only famous personalities in their own right but also proud representatives of the Brzezinski name.
