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Linda Yaccarino Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth24 October 1962

Age60 Years

BirthplaceLong Island, New York, United States

ProfessionMedia Executive, Businesswoman

NationalityAmerican

Marital statusMarried

SpouseClaude Peter Madrazo

FamilySon: Matthew Madrazo; Daughter: Christian Madrazo

Linda Yaccarino Biography

Linda Yaccarino is an American media executive and businesswoman from Long Island who has led major advertising and media operations and was appointed CEO‑

Early life and background

Linda Yaccarino was born on October 24, 1962, and raised on Long Island, New York. She completed her secondary education at Deer Park High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and telecommunications from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Pennsylvania State University. She is of Italian‑American heritage and has an identical twin sister, Lori Yaccarino Armstrong.

Career

Yaccarino built a career in advertising and media that spans several decades. Early in her professional life she worked as an intern at NBC while still in college. She later joined Turner Entertainment Company, where she rose to executive vice president and chief operating officer of ad sales, overseeing advertising, acquisition and marketing initiatives. After nearly two decades at Turner, she left that organization in 2011.

In November 2011 Yaccarino joined NBCUniversal, taking on leadership of cable entertainment and digital advertising sales. She advanced to roles that included oversight of advertising and client partnerships and played a key part in NBCUniversal’s advertising efforts during the launch of Peacock, the company’s streaming service. During her time at NBCUniversal she was known for negotiating major advertising deals and for leadership in building advertising strategy across television and digital platforms. She stepped down from NBCUniversal in May 2023 after more than 11 years with the company.

Outside her corporate roles, Yaccarino has been active in industry and public initiatives. She served on the board of the Ad Council and was appointed chair of its board of directors in January 2021, a position she later vacated in June 2022. She has been involved with the World Economic Forum, including chairing the Future of Work task force and managing global advertising and partnerships for that effort. In 2018 she received an appointment to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

In May 2023 she was named CEO of Twitter and X Corp., making her the first woman to hold that title at the company. Her appointment followed a public exchange and a brief transition from NBCUniversal; she resigned from NBCUniversal just hours before taking on the new role.

Public profile

Yaccarino’s work in media and advertising has been recognized across the industry. Over the years she has appeared on numerous lists and received awards that highlight her influence in television and advertising, including recognition from Adweek, BusinessWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and other industry organizations. She has been profiled for her negotiating style and leadership in ad sales.

She has additionally engaged in public health outreach, collaborating on a coronavirus vaccine campaign that involved leaders including the U.S. president and religious figures. Yaccarino has also appeared in public forums interviewing industry leaders; notable recent appearances include moderating conversations with prominent technology executives.

Personal life

Linda Yaccarino is married to Claude Peter Madrazo, a former Turner Broadcasting executive. The couple have two children: a son, Matthew Madrazo, who played NCAA Division I hockey and has worked in digital video sales, and a daughter, Christian Madrazo, who works in nursing. Her parents are Bob Yaccarino and Isabella Bartolone. She maintains a public profile that includes speaking and philanthropic activities.

Latest updates

In 2023 Yaccarino transitioned from a long tenure at NBCUniversal to lead Twitter and X Corp. She continues to be a visible figure in conversations about advertising, media partnerships and the future of digital platforms, drawing on decades of experience running advertising operations across television and digital products.
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Recent Work

CEO of Twitter and X Corp.

Appointed as the first female CEO of Twitter and X Corp., taking leadership in May 2023 after leaving NBCUniversal.

2023
Chair, Board of Directors - Ad Council

Served as chair of the Ad Council board beginning January 2021; stepped down in June 2022.

2021-2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Executive vice president and COO of ad sales at Turner Entertainment Company
  2. President and later chair of advertising and client partnerships at NBCUniversal Media
  3. Played a leadership role in advertising strategy for Peacock’s launch
  4. Appointed CEO of Twitter and X Corp. in May 2023
  5. Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Work task force
  6. Appointed to the U.S. President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition in 2018
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Linda Yaccarino born?

24 October 1962

What is Linda Yaccarino known for?

Media Executive, Businesswoman

What is Linda Yaccarino’s marital status?

Married

Who is Linda Yaccarino married to?

Claude Peter Madrazo