Greg Gutfeld, one of the most controversial yet beloved figures on Fox News, has made a comeback to the network after an unexpected and heartfelt paternity leave. At 60 years old, Gutfeld is no stranger to the spotlight, but his latest venture into fatherhood has brought a different side of him to light, and it’s left fans and critics alike wondering: What really happened behind the scenes?

In early December 2024, Gutfeld and his wife, Elena Moussa, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Mira. The announcement came during a segment on The Five, where co-host Dana Perino joyfully shared the news with the audience. As the world tuned in to the heartwarming moment, fans couldn’t help but be curious about what had transpired behind the scenes. Why did Gutfeld leave Fox News for paternity leave, and how did fatherhood impact him at 60?

Gutfeld himself opened up about his unexpected departure when he returned to his show Gutfeld! on Monday night. His comedy monologue, while brimming with the sharp wit and disdain for liberalism that fans have come to expect, also included a few sentimental moments about his new role as a father. He humorously remarked, “When my wife told me she was pregnant, mine was the first diaper she had to change.”

The Real Lesson: Moving Beyond Selfishness

Known for his biting humor and sometimes controversial opinions, Gutfeld has spent much of his career as a self-proclaimed master of selfishness. His unapologetic attitude and satirical remarks have made him a fan favorite on Gutfeld!—Fox News’ late-night show—and a central figure on The Five, the network’s highest-rated program. However, the birth of his daughter has changed everything.

In his return to the airwaves, Gutfeld confessed that his time away from the desk allowed him to reflect deeply on life and fatherhood. “It’s not easy, but it’s not earth-shattering either,” he joked, before getting serious. “The lesson I learned is how much I gotta unlearn, meaning throughout my life I’ve mastered the art of being selfish.”

Gutfeld acknowledged that while selfishness had played a crucial role in his career success, becoming a father had forced him to confront something he had avoided for much of his life—thinking about someone else. The decision to start a family at 60, when most people are winding down their parenting years, has been a transformative experience for the late-night host.

The couple, who married in 2004, had kept their pregnancy under wraps for a while before the big reveal. Elena Moussa, a Russian-born fashion stylist whom Gutfeld met in Portugal, had already shared her joy on social media, but it wasn’t until Dana Perino made the announcement on The Five that the world truly knew about the arrival of baby Mira.

In the statement read by Perino, Gutfeld’s humor was apparent even as he shared the joy of becoming a parent. He joked about Mira’s “rock-hard abs” and her curiosity about Fox News colleague Jesse Watters, even speculating whether he wore a toupee. The humor, though lighthearted, reflected Gutfeld’s undeniable bond with his new family and the joy Mira brought to their lives.

But beyond the jokes, it’s clear that Gutfeld is grappling with the complexity of fatherhood at an age when many people are thinking about retirement rather than changing diapers. While the birth of Mira is undeniably a joyous occasion, it has also forced him to reevaluate his life’s priorities.

The Gutfeld Brand: Balancing Fatherhood and His Career

Greg Gutfeld’s return to Fox News wasn’t just about making his big comeback to television. It was about finding a balance between the career that has made him a household name and the family that has brought a new sense of purpose to his life.

As the host of Gutfeld!, Gutfeld’s razor-sharp commentary often pushes boundaries, tackling controversial topics with the same irreverence that has earned him both fans and critics. His time away, however, has softened his edge in ways that viewers may not expect. In his monologue, he admitted that his new role as a father has made him more reflective, and the lessons he has learned from fatherhood are already starting to shape his views on life and the world around him.

For Gutfeld, parenthood has introduced new responsibilities, but it’s also provided a newfound sense of humility that wasn’t there before. While many fans eagerly awaited his return, some were left wondering whether the father of a newborn would approach his sharp political commentary differently moving forward.

At the heart of Gutfeld’s transformation is his relationship with Elena Moussa. The couple, who have been together for over two decades, have managed to keep their personal life relatively private despite Gutfeld’s public persona. Elena, a successful fashion stylist, has been a steady presence in his life, and her support has been evident as they navigated the challenges of becoming parents at an older age.

While Gutfeld’s career has often been at the forefront of public discussions, it’s clear that his relationship with Elena and their daughter Mira is what truly drives him today. In the past, Gutfeld might have prioritized his career over family, but now, as a father, his perspective has shifted. The birth of Mira has prompted him to find a new way to balance his demanding schedule with the demands of parenthood.

Greg Gutfeld’s return to Fox News is more than just a career move; it’s a personal journey that has forced him to reexamine his priorities. At 60, with a newborn daughter and a wife by his side, Gutfeld is navigating the challenges of fatherhood and how it intersects with his highly visible career. While his brand of humor remains as sharp as ever, the lessons he’s learned along the way are beginning to shape a new chapter in his life.

As Gutfeld continues to balance fatherhood with his career, fans will no doubt watch closely to see how this personal transformation impacts his work. Will the same irreverent host continue to dominate late-night TV, or will the lessons of fatherhood and his newfound sense of selflessness influence his future commentary? One thing is for certain—Greg Gutfeld’s journey is far from over, and fans can’t wait to see what happens next.