Fox Business host and former Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow has opened up about his decades-long battle with cocaine and alcohol addiction that nearly destroyed his career and marriage in the 1990s. The 78-year-old financial commentator shared candid details about his substance abuse struggles during a Wednesday, September 10, 2025, interview on Miranda Devine’s podcast “Pod Force One.”
Kudlow described becoming caught up in the culture of 1980s and 1990s Wall Street while serving as chief economist at Bear Stearns. He acknowledged that while many colleagues faced similar high-pressure environments, not everyone developed addiction problems like he did.
The financial expert indicated he has always taken personal responsibility for his addiction, recognizing that others at major firms like Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs handled the same stresses without turning to substances. His addiction escalated to dangerous levels by the mid-1990s, leading to his forced resignation from Bear Stearns in 1994.
The crisis reached its peak when Kudlow’s wife, Judith “Judy” Pond Kudlow, filed for divorce in 1995. Court documents from The Daily Beast revealed that she sought to prevent her 47-year-old husband from accessing his retirement funds, stating in legal papers that ” He has been on a steady cocaine binge and is desperate for money.”
However, rather than proceeding with the divorce, Judith made a pivotal decision that would change her husband’s life trajectory. She arranged for him to enter a residential drug treatment program for five months in 1995, a year after his departure from Bear Stearns.
The rehabilitation program marked Kudlow’s turning point toward sobriety and spiritual transformation. Born into a Jewish family, he converted to Catholicism in 1997, crediting his newfound faith with promoting better behavior and personal responsibility.
Judith, whom Kudlow met in the early 1980s while she worked for the Reagan administration, ultimately never finalized the divorce proceedings. The couple remains married today, with Kudlow expressing deep gratitude for receiving a second chance after what he described as a devastating crash and burn experience.
The Fox Business host continues his recovery efforts by attending four to five 12-step program meetings regularly. He reflected on his experience, acknowledging the severity of his situation and expressing appreciation for the intervention that saved his life and marriage.
Kudlow revealed he has discussed his substance abuse history briefly with former President Donald Trump, noting the personal significance addiction holds for both men. Trump famously abstains from alcohol and drugs, influenced by his brother Fred Trump Jr.’s death from alcoholism in 1981 at age 42. Kudlow characterized the topic as very personal for both himself and the former president.
During his recent podcast appearance, Kudlow also addressed speculation about a potential return to government service. While he indicated that he had discussed the possibility of rejoining the Trump administration, he decided against it, citing his busy schedule with his responsibilities at Fox Business.
The financial commentator’s public discussion of his addiction struggles represents a rare moment of vulnerability from a prominent television personality. His story highlights the pervasive nature of substance abuse in high-pressure professional environments and the critical role of family intervention in recovery.
Kudlow’s journey from addiction to recovery spans nearly three decades, during which he rebuilt his career and maintained his sobriety through consistent participation in support programs. His willingness to share these personal details provides insight into the challenges faced by individuals in demanding financial careers and the possibility of redemption through treatment and family support.
The revelation comes as Kudlow continues his role as a prominent voice in financial media, hosting his show on Fox Business and providing economic commentary.
