Peter Buchignani has built a career far from television cameras, yet his name often appears beside that of his wife, Fox News anchor Carley Shimkus. A Princeton graduate and former Tigers defensive end, Buchignani moved from Ivy League football into institutional finance, working in mortgage-backed and securitized-products sales. His biography is best understood through those two tracks: a documented college athletic career and a private professional life in capital markets. He and Shimkus married in 2015 and now have two sons. Here is what dependable public records establish about his education, work, football achievements, and family.
Peter Buchignani at a Glance
| Quick fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Peter R. Buchignani |
| Also known as | Pete Buchignani |
| Hometown | Bloomington, Illinois |
| Education | A.B. in Politics, Princeton University, 2009 |
| Profession | Securitized-products sales professional |
| Current organization | Santander US Capital Markets |
| College sport | Princeton Tigers football |
| Position | Defensive end |
| Jersey number | 97 |
| Spouse | Carley Shimkus |
| Children | Two sons, Brock and Harrison |
Who Is Peter Buchignani?
Peter Buchignani is an American finance professional and former college football player. He is also the husband of Carley Shimkus, the co-host of Fox & Friends First.
Official athletic records commonly identify him as “Pete Buchignani,” while professional and family references use Peter. Princeton’s archived roster lists Bloomington, Illinois, as his hometown and University High School as his secondary school. The same record identifies him as a 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end during his freshman season. Those measurements describe his college roster profile, not necessarily his current height or weight.
Unlike his wife, Buchignani does not work in broadcasting. Most substantial records connected to his name come from Princeton University, his professional profile, and interviews in which Shimkus has discussed their family.
Education and Princeton Football Career
Buchignani entered Princeton University in 2005 and completed an A.B. in Politics in 2009. Alongside Princeton’s academic program, he spent four seasons with the Tigers football team.
He played defensive end, a position responsible for pressuring quarterbacks, containing outside running plays, and taking on offensive linemen. Princeton’s official football roster lists him as No. 97.
Buchignani made an early impression. Princeton named him the recipient of its Harland “Pink” Baker ’22 Award in 2005. The honor is given to the first-time starting freshman or sophomore judged to have made the greatest contribution on defense.
His role expanded as he became an established member of the defensive line. Buchignani was part of the Princeton squad that won the 2006 Ivy League championship. The university’s All-Ivy football records show that he received All-Ivy recognition in three consecutive seasons: 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Before his senior season, Princeton described him as a two-time All-Ivy defensive end who had recorded a career-best 34 tackles in 2007. He made at least three tackles in eight of the team’s 10 games that season, according to the university’s 2008 defensive preview.
The program also recognized his durability. Buchignani and quarterback Brian Anderson shared the Dr. Harry Roemer McPhee Award in 2008, an honor for a player who displays fortitude and the ability to withstand the demands of college football.
A Princeton Alumni Weekly profile from his senior year provides a glimpse of his approach. Buchignani described the value of teammates reviewing one another’s game film, showing that the defensive line used direct peer feedback as part of its preparation.
From Princeton to Institutional Finance
After graduating in 2009, Buchignani entered financial services. His professional record shows a steady specialization in fixed-income markets rather than a move into sports or media.
His publicly available LinkedIn profile lists three major stages in that career:
| Period | Organization | Area of work |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–2011 | Barclays Capital | Sales analysis |
| 2012–2015 | Deutsche Bank | Mortgage-backed securities sales |
| 2015–2023 | Amherst Pierpont Securities | Securitized-products sales |
| 2023–present | Santander US Capital Markets | Securitized-products sales |
Securitized products are financial instruments created by combining assets that generate cash flow—such as mortgages, auto loans, or credit-card balances—and issuing securities backed by those payments. Sales professionals in this field generally work with institutional clients, trading teams, and investors evaluating pricing, liquidity, risk, and market conditions.
Some older profiles still identify Amherst Pierpont Securities as Buchignani’s employer. That information no longer reflects the company’s current identity. Santander acquired Amherst Pierpont in 2022, and the business subsequently became part of Santander US Capital Markets. Santander’s corporate history confirms that Amherst Pierpont now operates under the Santander name. Buchignani’s professional profile identifies him with the successor organization.
Marriage to Carley Shimkus
Buchignani met Carley Shimkus when she was celebrating her 23rd birthday. Shimkus later recalled that he was out with one of his roommates and stepped in when the evening became uncomfortable. Their relationship developed before they married in New Jersey in 2015.
Shimkus has described an unusual feature of their early marriage: the couple maintained demanding careers in different cities. Buchignani worked in Chicago, while her television responsibilities kept her in New York.
In a 2020 NJ Starz interview, Shimkus explained that they reunited on Fridays and separated again on Sundays, with Buchignani completing most of the travel. Her account offers direct context for their relationship without relying on assumptions drawn from photographs or social media posts.
Shimkus’s national profile increased after she became co-host of Fox & Friends First. Buchignani, however, continued his finance career and has made few independent media appearances.
Peter Buchignani and Carley Shimkus’s Children
The couple became parents to their first son, Brock, in 2023. In July 2026, they welcomed a second son, Harrison.
The arrival of Harrison was announced during Fox & Friends First. People reported that Harrison joined three-year-old Brock and that both Shimkus and the baby were doing well.
Buchignani occasionally appears in family photographs shared by Shimkus, but the couple does not make their children’s daily lives a regular subject of media coverage.
What Is Peter Buchignani’s Net Worth?
There is no authoritative public record of Buchignani’s salary, investments, assets, or net worth. Figures published by celebrity-finance websites are unsupported estimates and should not be presented as established facts. His documented professional history confirms a long career in institutional finance, but it does not reveal his personal wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Peter Buchignani do for a living?
He works in securitized-products sales at Santander US Capital Markets. His earlier positions included sales roles at Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank, and Amherst Pierpont Securities.
Did Peter Buchignani play football at Princeton?
Yes. He played defensive end for the Princeton Tigers, wore No. 97, and earned All-Ivy recognition in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
What did Peter Buchignani study?
He earned an A.B. in Politics from Princeton University in 2009.
Who is Peter Buchignani married to?
He is married to Carley Shimkus, a Fox News anchor and co-host of Fox & Friends First. They married in New Jersey in 2015.
How many children do Peter Buchignani and Carley Shimkus have?
They have two sons. Brock was born in 2023, and Harrison joined the family in July 2026.
Is Peter Buchignani still employed by Amherst Pierpont?
His professional profile now lists Santander US Capital Markets. Santander acquired Amherst Pierpont and incorporated it into the capital-markets business that operates under the Santander name.
Conclusion
Peter Buchignani’s documented story extends beyond his marriage to a television anchor. He was a three-time All-Ivy honoree and award-winning defensive end at Princeton before developing a specialized career in mortgage-backed and securitized-products sales. His current professional association with Santander follows the bank’s acquisition of Amherst Pierpont, where he worked for eight years. Buchignani and Carley Shimkus have been married since 2015 and are raising two sons, while he continues to keep his professional and family life largely separate from television.
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