Fox News host Greg Gutfeld is back in the spotlight—this time, with a new role: father.

After stepping away for an unexpected paternity leave, Gutfeld returned to his late-night show Monday, delivering a comedic monologue infused with a touch of sentimentality about his latest adventure—parenting.

Gutfeld, 60, and his wife, fashion stylist Elena Moussa, 42, welcomed their daughter, Mira, in early December. His colleagues at Fox News first announced the birth during a segment on The Five on Dec. 10.

“When my wife told me she was pregnant, mine was the first diaper she had to change,” Gutfeld quipped, staying true to his sharp, often sarcastic style. “It’s not easy, but it’s not earth-shattering either,” he added. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is how much I need to unlearn—after years of perfecting selfishness, I now have to think about someone else.”

For years, Gutfeld has made a name for himself with his biting humor and irreverent commentary. As the host of Gutfeld! and a panelist on The Five—Fox News’ highest-rated show—he’s never shied away from controversy. But fatherhood, it seems, has prompted a rare moment of introspection.

His time off-air in December initially raised questions, as no immediate explanation was given. Eventually, The Five co-host Dana Perino revealed the news, reading a statement from Gutfeld himself.

“It is with great joy that my wife Elena and I have welcomed a baby girl into the world,” Perino read aloud. “Mira is healthy, with a real set of lungs. She has Elena’s beautiful eyes and my rock-hard abs. We are hard at work teaching her three languages and putting her through rigorous workout routines. She is already very observant and has asked if Jesse Waters wears a toupee. I told her that he definitely wears a wig.”

Gutfeld and Moussa, originally from Russia, tied the knot in 2004 after meeting in Portugal. Mira is the couple’s first child.

It all came to a head during a critical moment in 2024. Gutfeld was set to host a major special for Fox News, one that was supposed to mark the peak of his career. But due to the strain of fatherhood and the pressure he was facing, he arrived on set exhausted, mentally drained, and barely able to focus. His performance, which was typically sharp and charismatic, fell flat. He struggled to find his rhythm during the broadcast, and his usual quick-witted remarks were few and far between.

A source within the network, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Gutfeld’s performance during the special raised serious concerns among executives. “We were all worried,” the source said. “Greg was always the guy who could handle anything, but it was clear something was going on. He wasn’t himself. It was like he was somewhere else, mentally.”

The fallout was immediate. Discussions were had about whether Gutfeld’s show would continue, and whether he was too distracted by his new role as a father to handle the pressure of hosting a major program. It wasn’t just about the ratings anymore; it was about his well-being and ability to keep up with the demands of both his job and fatherhood.

A Turning Point

But as Gutfeld continued to battle through the pressures of parenthood, something shifted within him. He realized that he couldn’t let his career define him entirely. He needed balance, a new sense of purpose. Instead of allowing his exhaustion and doubt to overtake him, he leaned into his role as a father. Slowly, things began to change.

“I started taking things one step at a time,” Gutfeld admitted. “I realized that my career wasn’t everything. My daughter, my family, that’s what mattered now. I wasn’t going to let my age or my career dictate how I lived the rest of my life.”

Gutfeld took a short break from his show to focus on his family, and when he returned, he did so with a new outlook. His shows became more heartfelt, more real, and more vulnerable. His humor took on a deeper tone, reflecting the changes in his life, and viewers responded to the authenticity. Ratings surged, and Fox News executives recognized that Greg Gutfeld wasn’t just a late-night host anymore—he was a symbol of perseverance and personal growth.

The Legacy of a Father

Today, Greg Gutfeld is still one of the biggest stars at Fox News. His career is as strong as ever, but it’s clear that he has evolved into a different person since becoming a father at 60. His daughter is now a toddler, and Gutfeld often shares moments of joy with her on social media, showing a softer side that fans rarely saw before.

“I never thought I’d be the dad posting pictures of my daughter, but here I am,” he laughs. “It wasn’t easy, and it almost cost me everything, but it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Greg Gutfeld’s journey to fatherhood was anything but simple, but in the end, it reshaped his life in ways that made him even more relatable to his audience. It’s a reminder that no matter how old we are, life is full of surprises—and sometimes, those surprises lead us to discover parts of ourselves we never thought existed.

Now back behind the desk—and in the armchair—Gutfeld seems ready to juggle both his on-air duties and his new life as a dad. And if his first night back is any indication, he’s handling it all with his signature mix of wit and self-deprecation.