Fox Business host Larry Kudlow has opened up about his decades-long battle with cocaine and alcohol addiction that nearly destroyed his career and marriage during his time on Wall Street. The 78-year-old former Trump economic adviser detailed his struggle in a recent interview on Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One” podcast, revealing how he became caught up in the drug culture of 1980s and 1990s Wall Street.
Kudlow worked as chief economist at Bear Stearns during the height of his addiction, acknowledging that he got swept up in the zeitgeist of New York City’s financial district. He noted that while some colleagues at Bear Stearns and Goldman Sachs faced similar pressures without developing substance abuse problems, he took personal responsibility for his addiction. The television personality indicated that some people simply got hooked on alcohol, cocaine, or other drugs while others remained unaffected by the same workplace stresses.
The Fox Business star’s substance abuse escalated to what his wife Judith described in court documents as a “steady cocaine binge” by 1994. Judith Pond Kudlow, whom he met in the early 1980s while she worked for the Reagan administration, filed for divorce approximately one year before intervening in his addiction. The court papers, cited by The Daily Beast, stated that the then-47-year-old Kudlow was desperate for money to fuel his drug habit.
Judith sought to prevent her husband from accessing his retirement funds during this period, recognizing the severity of his addiction. However, she ultimately never followed through with the divorce proceedings. Instead, she took decisive action by sending Kudlow to a residential treatment program in 1995, one year after he was forced to resign from his position at Bear Stearns.
The five-month residential drug treatment program marked a turning point in Kudlow’s life. He credited the rehabilitation program with not only leading him to sobriety but also inspiring a spiritual transformation. Born into a Jewish family, Kudlow converted to Catholicism in 1997, two years after completing treatment.
Kudlow expressed his belief that religion breeds better behavior and promotes personal individual responsibility. He reflected on receiving a second chance in life, acknowledging that his crash and burn experience was particularly severe. The Fox Business host indicated he continues attending four or five Twelve-step program meetings regularly, maintaining his commitment to sobriety decades after his initial treatment.
The former Trump administration official revealed he has discussed his substance abuse history briefly with the former president. Trump, who abstains from alcohol and drugs, was personally affected by addiction when his older brother Fred Trump Jr. died from alcoholism in 1981 at age 42. Kudlow noted that the topic remains very personal to both men, creating a shared understanding of addiction’s devastating impact on families.
During his tenure as director of the National Economic Council in Trump’s first term, Kudlow had considered returning to a White House role. However, he decided against rejoining the administration, citing his busy schedule at Fox Business. He praised Trump’s capabilities, suggesting the former president was better prepared than during his initial presidential term.
Kudlow’s marriage to Judith survived his addiction crisis, and the couple remains married today. He expressed gratitude for her intervention and continued support throughout his recovery journey. The longtime television personality acknowledged that his wife’s decisive action in 1995 ultimately saved both his life and their relationship.
The Fox Business host’s candid discussion of his addiction struggle comes at a time when substance abuse issues continue to affect professionals across various industries. Kudlow emphasized taking personal responsibility for his choices while recognizing that addiction can impact individuals differently, even when facing similar environmental pressures and workplace stress.
His story illustrates both the destructive potential of addiction and the possibility of recovery through professional treatment and ongoing support systems. Kudlow’s continued participation in Twelve-step meetings demonstrates his long-term commitment to maintaining sobriety and helping others who face similar challenges.
