Peter Buchignani is an American finance professional born September 21, 1986, in Bloomington, Illinois. He works in securitized products sales at Amherst Pierpont Securities and is married to Fox News anchor Carley Shimkus. They wed in 2015 and have one son, Brock, born in January 2023. His estimated net worth is $500,000–$1 million.
Most people discover Peter Buchignani through his wife, Fox News anchor Carley Shimkus. But here’s what they miss: he’s built a solid finance career spanning 15+ years, played Division I football at Princeton, and maintains one of the most private profiles among celebrity spouses.
You’re about to learn who Peter really is—from his Illinois roots to his Wall Street journey, his decade-long marriage, and why he deliberately stays out of the spotlight despite being married to a national TV personality.
Quick Profile: Peter Buchignani at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Buchignani |
| Date of Birth | September 21, 1986 |
| Age (2026) | 39 years old |
| Birthplace | Bloomington, Illinois |
| Education | Princeton University (B.A. Political Science, 2009) |
| Career | Securitized Products Sales, Business Development |
| Current Employer | Amherst Pierpont Securities |
| Spouse | Carley Shimkus (m. August 8, 2015) |
| Children | One son, Brock (born January 2023) |
| Net Worth | $500,000–$1 million |
| Height | Approximately 5’11” |
Growing Up in the Midwest: Early Life in Bloomington
Peter was born in Bloomington, Illinois—a town where hard work matters more than headlines. His father, Leo Buchignani, practiced law with a focus on commercial real estate finance after graduating from Harvard Law School. His mother, Mary Edna, created a stable home environment.
The Buchignani household valued three things: education, integrity, and keeping your word. Peter grew up with two siblings—his brother Leo Jr. and sister Lainey. Football dominated his weekends. Books filled his evenings.
This wasn’t a flashy childhood. It was deliberate. The values stuck—every decision Peter makes today traces back to those Bloomington years.
Princeton Years: Football, Politics, and Finding His Path
Getting into Princeton University isn’t luck. It’s years of 4.0 grades, leadership roles, and standing out among thousands of applicants. Peter made it happen.
From 2005 to 2009, he studied Political Science while playing defensive end for the Princeton Tigers. His best season came in 2007—34 tackles, consistent pressure on quarterbacks, and an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention for two consecutive years.
Here’s what matters: Playing Division I football while maintaining academic standards teaches you time management most people never master. You wake up at 5:30 AM for conditioning. Study until midnight. Repeat.
Peter learned to perform under pressure—a skill that would define his finance career. He graduated in 2009 right into the worst job market since the Great Depression. That timing would test everything he’d learned.
Building a Finance Career: From Entry-Level to Expertise
2009–2011: Barclays Capital Peter’s first role was Sales Analyst at Barclays Capital in New York. The financial crisis had just hit. Banks were cutting staff. He was the new guy trying to prove his worth while the world questioned if finance had a future.
He learned market analysis, client relations, and how to explain complex products in plain English. More importantly, he learned to stay calm when everyone else panicked.
2011–2015: Deutsche Bank. His move to Deutsche Bank came with more responsibility—MBS (mortgage-backed securities) sales. These are the same products that nearly crashed the economy in 2008. By 2011, the market was rebuilding. Peter specialized in helping clients understand risk, structure deals, and make informed decisions.
2015–Present: Amherst Pierpont Securities.s Since March 2015, Peter has worked in securitized products sales at Amherst Pierpont Securities. His job? Help institutional investors buy and sell securities backed by mortgages, auto loans, and other assets.
The work isn’t glamorous. It requires deep market knowledge, relationship management, and the ability to explain why a bond backed by 50,000 car loans makes sense for a pension fund’s portfolio.
Peter’s approach: steady, informed, low-key. He’s not chasing headlines or bonuses. He’s building long-term client relationships—the same way he builds everything else in his life.
Meeting Carley: A Birthday Party That Changed Everything
November 2009. Carley Shimkus turned 23. Friends threw her a birthday party. Peter showed up through mutual Princeton connections.
They talked. Exchanged numbers. Stayed in touch. But here’s the thing—they didn’t start dating. Not for four more years.
By 2013, both had established careers. Carley was climbing at Fox News. Peter was deep into finance. They reconnected. This time, it stuck.
Their relationship was long-distance from the start. Carley worked in New York. Peter eventually moved to Chicago for work. Most couples would have called it off. They made it work through phone calls, weekend visits, and shared values that mattered more than geography.
The Wedding: August 8, 2015
They married at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in New Jersey on August 8, 2015. The ceremony was private—close family and friends only. No media circus. No sponsored content. Just two people committing to each other.
The wedding reflected who they are: intentional, private, focused on what matters. While Carley’s face appeared on TV screens across America every morning, Peter stood beside her as the steady, grounded partner who preferred boardrooms to broadcast studios.
Who Is Carley Shimkus? Understanding Peter’s Wife
Carley Shimkus co-hosts Fox & Friends First, the 5 AM show that kicks off Fox News’ daily programming. Born November 7, 1986, she studied Broadcast Journalism at Quinnipiac University and started at Fox as a production assistant in 2009.
She’s now one of Fox News’ most recognizable faces—sharp reporting, quick wit, and the ability to make complex news digestible at 5 AM. Her Instagram has nearly 200,000 followers. She wakes up at 1:15 AM every weekday to prepare for the show.
Peter’s life couldn’t be more different. No social media. No public appearances. No interviews. Yet their marriage works because they respect each other’s choices—she thrives in the spotlight, he thrives outside it.
Parenthood: Welcome to the World, Brock
January 2023 brought their biggest life change: Brock Edward Buchignani. Carley announced his birth on Fox News and Instagram with pure joy—blonde curls, big eyes, their “little MVP” (Peter’s words, a nod to his football days).
Peter took fatherhood seriously. Despite his finance career demanding 60+ hour weeks, he’s hands-on. Diaper changes. Late-night bottles. Weekend park visits. The same discipline that got him through Princeton and Wall Street now applies to raising his son.
Carley’s Instagram shows glimpses: Brock apple-picking at Hacklebarney Farm, his first visit to Rockefeller Center, crying on Santa’s lap. Normal family moments—except one parent wakes up at 1:15 AM and the other analyzes securities markets.
They’re figuring it out. That’s what matters.
Why Peter Stays Private: A Deliberate Choice
Peter Buchignani has zero public social media accounts. No Twitter. No Instagram. No LinkedIn posts about “excited to announce.” Nothing.
This isn’t accidental. It’s strategic. Here’s why it works:
- He protects his family. When your wife is on national TV, privacy becomes valuable. Peter controls what the public knows about his son, his home life, and his daily routine.
- He focuses on work. Finance careers are built on trust and discretion. Clients don’t want their investment banker posting breakfast photos.
- He values substance over image. Peter lets his work speak. His relationships matter more than his follower count.
In an era where everyone shares everything, Peter’s privacy feels almost radical. It’s also refreshing.
Net Worth and Financial Reality: The Numbers
Peter’s estimated net worth sits between $500,000 and $1 million. Combined with Carley’s earnings (approximately $56,000 annually from Fox News plus additional income from Fox Business Network), they live comfortably but not extravagantly.
His wealth comes from 15+ years in finance—steady accumulation, not lottery wins or inheritance. He’s built financial security the old-fashioned way: show up, do good work, get paid, invest wisely, repeat.
They don’t flash wealth. No mansion photos. No luxury car posts. They prioritize family time, financial stability, and long-term planning over showing off.
The Challenge of Long-Distance Marriage
Here’s what most articles skip: Peter works in Chicago. Carley works in New York. Their marriage has been partially long-distance for years.
How do they make it work?
- Communication. Daily calls. Video chats. Staying connected despite time zones and schedules.
- Planned time together. When they’re together, they’re fully present. No half-hearted weekends.
- Shared values. They both value family, privacy, and building something lasting. Geography matters less when your foundation is solid.
- Mutual respect for careers. Carley doesn’t ask Peter to quit Chicago. Peter doesn’t ask Carley to leave Fox. They support each other’s professional growth.
Most marriages crack under less pressure. Theirs hasn’t because they chose each other knowing exactly what they were signing up for.
Family Values: The Leo Buchignani Influence
Peter’s father, Leo, graduated from Harvard Law School in 1948 and built a successful commercial real estate finance practice in Memphis. His professionalism, ethics, and dedication to clients left a mark on Peter.
Leo showed him that success comes from doing good work consistently, treating people with respect, and keeping your word. Those lessons shaped how Peter approaches everything—from client relationships to marriage to fatherhood.
His mother, Mary Edna, taught different lessons: the importance of a stable home, emotional intelligence, and showing up for the people who matter. Peter applies both parents’ lessons daily.
What Makes Peter Different
Finance is full of people chasing the next big bonus, the corner office, the media profile. Peter isn’t one of them.
He’s built a career on steady performance, not flashy deals. He’s been married for 10+ years, when many high-profile couples don’t make it past five. He’s raising his son away from the public eye when he could easily trade on his wife’s fame.
Peter represents something increasingly rare: someone who defines success on his own terms, works hard without needing recognition, and values privacy in a world that monetizes attention.
That’s not accidental. That’s deliberate.
FAQs
How old is Peter Buchignani?
He was born on September 21, 1986, making him 39 years old in 2026.
Where did Peter go to college?
Princeton University, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science in 2009 while playing football.
What does Peter Buchignani do for work?
He works in securitized products sales at Amherst Pierpont Securities, focusing on business development.
How did Peter meet Carley Shimkus?
They met in 2009 at Carley’s 23rd birthday party through mutual Princeton connections, started dating in 2013, and married in 2015.
Do Peter and Carley have children?
Yes, one son named Brock Edward Buchignani was born in January 2023.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Living Quietly
Peter Buchignani won’t appear on magazine covers. He won’t give interviews about “work-life balance secrets.” He won’t build a personal brand.
He’ll keep showing up at Amherst Pierpont Securities, analyzing markets, serving clients. He’ll keep supporting Carley’s career while protecting their family’s privacy. He’ll keep being the father who changes diapers and the husband who makes a long-distance marriage work.
In a world obsessed with attention, Peter proves success doesn’t require a spotlight. Sometimes the most impressive thing you can do is build a good life, do meaningful work, and keep it to yourself.
That’s Peter Buchignani—Princeton graduate, finance professional, devoted husband, protective father, and one of the most deliberately private people connected to American media.