Rikki Rose Schlott is a renowned American journalist, author, and political commentator. She is widely recognized as a columnist for the New York Post and co-author of the bestselling book “The Canceling of the American Mind.” The free speech activist has become one of Generation Z’s most prominent voices on issues related to cancel culture, campus free speech, and civil liberties. Her fearless commentary and advocacy work have made her a sought-after media personality across major news networks and publications.
Rikki Schlott Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Rikki Rose Schlott |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | June 10, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years old (as of December 2025) |
| Place of birth | Bernardsville, New Jersey, USA |
| Current residence | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 120 lbs (54 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Marital status | Single |
| Alma mater | The Lawrenceville School, New York University (withdrew), Columbia University (School of General Studies) |
| Profession | Journalist, columnist, author, political commentator, podcast host |
| Net worth | $1.2 million – $1.5 million (estimated) |
Who is Rikki Schlott?
Rikki Schlott is an American journalist and political commentator who has established herself as a leading voice on free speech issues. She serves as a columnist for the New York Post and is the co-author of “The Canceling of the American Mind,” which became one of 2023’s most influential books on cancel culture. The Generation Z activist has built her career challenging ideological conformity and defending civil liberties.
Schlott’s work extends beyond traditional journalism. She is a research fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and hosts podcasts focused on controversial cultural and political topics. Her media presence includes regular appearances on Fox News, Fox Business, BBC, and HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, where she became the youngest-ever panelist in 2022.
How old is Rikki Schlott? Age and birthday
Rikki Schlott is 25 years old as of December 2025. She was born on June 10, 2000, in Bernardsville, New Jersey, United States. Her zodiac sign is Gemini, which is associated with communication and intellectual curiosity.
What is Rikki Schlott’s education background?
Schlott’s educational journey reflects both academic excellence and unconventional choices. She graduated cum laude from The Lawrenceville School in 2018, one of America’s most prestigious preparatory academies. The elite New Jersey institution sends approximately one-third of its graduates to Ivy League universities annually.
After high school, Schlott enrolled at New York University to study history, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. However, she took a leave of absence during the COVID-19 pandemic due to challenges with online learning and concerns about campus free speech restrictions. Rather than returning to NYU, she made the bold decision to withdraw entirely to pursue journalism full-time.
Schlott later enrolled in Columbia University’s School of General Studies as a part-time student, taking night classes while working professionally. She continued her history studies at Columbia, once again maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Her decision to prioritize practical career experience over traditional full-time college attendance has become a recurring theme in her writing about higher education.
What is Rikki Schlott’s career journey?
Early journalism career
Rikki Schlott’s journalism career began while she was still a student at NYU. She started writing opinion pieces about campus culture, free speech, and Generation Z issues. Her firsthand experiences with what she perceived as ideological conformity on campus fueled her passion for defending free expression.
In 2021, she joined the New York Post as a columnist, quickly becoming one of the newspaper’s youngest regular contributors. Her columns tackled controversial topics including cancel culture, political correctness, and the challenges facing young Americans. Schlott’s writing resonated with readers across the political spectrum who valued her willingness to challenge prevailing narratives.
Fellowship at FIRE
Schlott completed a research fellowship with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending First Amendment rights. During her fellowship, she conducted research on campus free speech issues and contributed to FIRE’s advocacy efforts. This experience deepened her expertise on constitutional rights and provided data-driven insights that inform her journalism.
Bestselling author
In 2023, Schlott achieved a major career milestone by co-authoring “The Canceling of the American Mind” with Greg Lukianoff, FIRE’s president and CEO. The book explores the origins and effects of cancel culture, offering concrete solutions for reclaiming free speech in American society. Published by Simon & Schuster, the book received critical acclaim from prominent intellectuals including Steven Pinker and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
The book was named among the Wall Street Journal’s Best Books of 2023, the New York Post’s 30 Best Books of the Year, and The Free Press’s Favorite Titles from 2023. The Economist praised it as “bold, timely and buttressed with data.” The success of the book established Schlott as a leading authority on cancel culture and free speech debates.
Media appearances and podcast hosting
Schlott has become a regular fixture on television news networks and podcasts. She has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business, BBC, NewsNation, OAN, Newsmax, and other networks to discuss cultural and political issues. In August 2022, she made history by becoming the youngest-ever panelist on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher at age 22.
She previously co-hosted “The Lost Debate” podcast and launched “We Never Had This Conversation” in October 2024 through Bill Maher’s Club Random Studios network. The podcast features candid conversations with diverse guests on controversial topics. However, Club Random Studios ceased operations in May 2025, though Schlott continues her journalism work.
Contributing writer
Beyond the New York Post, Schlott contributes to numerous prestigious publications. She has written for Reason Magazine, Newsweek, National Review, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Spectator, Quillette, The Free Press, and The Daily Wire. Her work covers topics ranging from higher education and campus culture to feminism, social media, and generational differences.
What is Rikki Schlott’s net worth and salary?
As of 2025, Rikki Schlott’s net worth is estimated between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. She has built her wealth through multiple income streams. Her primary income comes from her position as a New York Post columnist and news features reporter. Columnists at major metropolitan newspapers typically earn between $50,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience and prominence.
Schlott’s income is supplemented by speaking engagements, where she commands fees as a sought-after speaker at universities and conferences. Her book “The Canceling of the American Mind” generated substantial earnings through advance payments and ongoing royalties from its bestseller status. She also earns income from media appearances, podcast production, and contributions to various publications.
Her fellowship work with FIRE and other professional activities contribute additional revenue. At just 25 years old, Schlott has achieved financial success relatively early in her career, positioning herself for continued growth as her influence expands.
Is Rikki Schlott married? Husband, relationship status, and personal life
Rikki Schlott is not married and is currently single as of December 2025. She maintains a relatively private personal life, focusing public attention on her professional work rather than romantic relationships. Schlott has not publicly disclosed any current or past relationships, and there is no confirmed information about a boyfriend or partner.
In social media posts and interviews, Schlott has discussed her intentionality about maintaining work-life balance and prioritizing meaningful relationships with family and friends. She has mentioned being selective about how she spends her limited free time, ensuring her non-work relationships receive proper attention.
Who are Rikki Schlott’s parents and family?
Rikki Schlott comes from what she describes as a conservative family in New Jersey. Her father, Dick Schlott, was born in 1937 and grew up on a farm in Waldwick, New Jersey. The significant age gap between Rikki and her father has been a recurring theme in her writing. In a 2021 New York Post article, she discussed how her 84-year-old father’s perspective helped her understand generational differences and the value of traditional wisdom.
Schlott has written movingly about discovering through DNA testing that her father was secretly adopted, a revelation that led her to explore her biological family history. She documented this journey in personal essays, discussing the emotional complexity of uncovering hidden family secrets. Through genealogical research, she discovered connections to a family of psychics in Lily Dale, New York, which she explored in a 2022 article.
While Schlott has shared stories about her father and extended family discoveries, she has kept information about her mother and siblings largely private. She grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, in a household that valued intellectual discourse and free expression.
What is Rikki Schlott’s height and weight?
Rikki Schlott stands 5 feet 5 inches tall (165 centimeters) and weighs approximately 120 pounds (54 kilograms). She has blonde hair and blue eyes, contributing to her recognizable presence in media appearances.
Fast Facts about Rikki Schlott
- Youngest Real Time panelist: Schlott made history in 2022 by becoming the youngest-ever panelist on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher at age 22.
- College dropout advocate: Despite attending prestigious institutions, she dropped out of NYU to pursue journalism full-time, later becoming an advocate for alternative education paths.
- Perfect GPA: Schlott maintained a 4.0 GPA at both NYU and Columbia University’s School of General Studies.
- Generational perspective: Born in 2000, she brings authentic Generation Z insights to discussions about young Americans’ views and challenges.
- Right-leaning libertarian: Schlott identifies as a “right-leaning libertarian,” describing herself as fiscally conservative and socially liberal.
- Social media presence: She has over 36,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) and maintains an active presence on Instagram.
- Prep school background: She graduated cum laude from The Lawrenceville School, one of America’s most elite prep schools with annual tuition exceeding $80,000.
- Multi-platform contributor: Beyond the New York Post, she has written for at least ten major publications including The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.
- Podcast pioneer: She has hosted or co-hosted multiple podcasts, including “The Lost Debate” and “We Never Had This Conversation.”
- Free speech researcher: Her fellowship at FIRE involved conducting academic research on campus free speech issues, combining activism with scholarly work.
Read more: Tara-Leigh Cobble: Wikipedia, net worth, age, height, career, husband, books
Wrapping up
Rikki Schlott has emerged as one of Generation Z’s most influential voices on free speech and cultural issues. At just 25 years old, the journalist, author, and political commentator has achieved remarkable professional success through her New York Post columns, bestselling book, and media appearances. Her advocacy for civil liberties and willingness to challenge prevailing narratives continue to shape important conversations about freedom of expression in America. As she continues her career, Schlott remains committed to defending the principles of open dialogue and intellectual diversity.
References
- Rikki Schlott official website. “Journalist & Author.”
- BioNewsly. “Rikki Schlott: The Trailblazing Journalist Championing Free Speech and Civil Liberties.” October 2025.
- APB Speakers. “Book Rikki Schlott for Speaking, Events and Appearances.”
- New York Post. “Rikki Schlott – Columnist.” Author profile.
- Page Six. “Hot new podcast ‘We Never Had This Conversation’ hosted by The Post’s Rikki Schlott launching on Bill Maher’s network.” October 29, 2024.
- LinkedIn. “Rikki Schlott – New York Post Columnist | Author of ‘The Canceling of the American Mind’.”
- Simon & Schuster. “Rikki Schlott | Official Publisher Page.”
- The Free Press. “Rikki Schlott.” Author profile.
- New York Post. “How my 84-year-old dad helped me see the folly of Gen Z.” November 27, 2021.
- Semafor. “Bill Maher’s heterodox podcast studio shuts down.” May 18, 2025.
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