You may know Alissa Mahler as the wife of controversial podcaster and political commentator Michael Knowles.
But let me tell you, she’s much more than just a tag-along spouse. With her achievements and charms, Alissa shines in her own right.
Here’s everything I uncovered about Alissa Mahler and what makes her an empowered woman!
Who Is Alissa Mahler?
I don’t have the full scoop on Alissa Mahler’s early life, except that she’s from Nashville, Tennessee.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and history at the University of Maryland, then took her master’s in social ecology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).
Alissa stayed at UCI to pursue a doctorate in developmental psychology, publishing a study on the future of adolescent first-time offenders.
Professional Career
Alissa Mahler is a graduate student assistant at the UCI Center for Psychology and Law. She arranges speaking events, sets up networking opportunities, and connects students with practitioners to put their research into real-world action.
Alissa also works as a graduate student researcher. That means she trains, oversees research assistants, and even presents studies at national conferences.
Before that, she was a research fellow at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Dating Michael Knowles
Alissa Mahler and Michael Knowles started dating in 2006. They made their relationship public on September 2, 2012, with a sweet Instagram post from Michael.
Michael affectionately refers to Alissa as SLA, short for Sweet Little Alissa, on his Instagram. And if you tune in to his podcasts, you’ll notice he loves talking about her, too.
He proudly introduced her as his American girl, with a snapshot of himself and Alissa at the American Legion Chris Kyle Post 388. Since then, Michael has been open about sharing snippets of their journey from sweethearts to spouses.
Michael took the giant leap in 2017 and popped the question just days after Valentine’s Day. He shared a cute photo of them at Crystal Cove State Beach in California, with Alissa showing off her engagement ring. The caption read, “She said maybe!!”
Marriage and Family Life
Alissa Mahler and Michael Knowles tied the knot at the Church of St. Michael in Manhattan, New York. Michael shared a heartwarming photo of them walking down the aisle, accompanied by a beautiful Bible verse from Song of Songs 8:6–7.
After their wedding, the pair flew to Waikiki, Hawaii, for their honeymoon.
Alissa and Michael are proud parents to two sons, born one year apart between 2021 and 2022. Michael often shares glimpses of their vacations, date nights, and outings at public events.
In October 2022, the couple attended an event hosted by the Gary Sinise Foundation to show their support for the military and first responders.
Their most recent public appearance was at the 2023 premiere of the sports comedy movie Lady Ballers, where Michael had a cameo appearance.
Who Is Alissa Mahler’s Husband?
Michael Knowles had a short stint as an actor, appearing in a few TV programs, web series, and a comedy film. He then joined The Daily Wire as a cultural correspondent for The Andrew Klavan Show podcast.
Michael is no stranger to controversies because of his conservative beliefs. Being a devout Catholic, he’s been pretty vocal about his opposition to same-sex marriage.
He was bullied and assaulted while giving his “Men Are Not Women” speech at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
He also faced a lot of backlash after calling climate activist Greta Thunberg a “mentally ill Swedish child” on Fox News. The network vowed they wouldn’t have him back, but guess what? They invited him again as a segment guest with host Tucker Carlson shortly after.
In 2020, US Senator Ted Cruz launched the Verdict with Ted Cruz podcast with Michael. Later, he went on to host his radio talk show on WHLD.
In 2023, Michael once again found himself in hot water for his stance against transgender people.
Love him or hate him, Michael Knowles is one of the most prominent voices in conservative media today. Whether stirring the pot or dropping truth bombs on his podcast, he’s always got something interesting to say.
How Much Is Alissa Mahler’s Net Worth?
Based on industry averages, Alissa Mahler’s annual salary as a graduate student researcher could be around $113,000. She could bring in another $40,000 a year as a graduate student assistant.
Combining both roles, Alissa’s yearly income could easily exceed $150,000. Considering she’s been at UCI for over a decade, she must have a little nest egg tucked away.
On the other hand, online sources estimate her husband to be worth around $3 million to $5 million from his podcast and TV appearances.
Though Michael Knowles is the one hogging all the attention right now, I’m keeping tabs on whatever career moves Alissa might make down the road.
Is Alissa Mahler Active on Social Media?
Even though she’s married to a prominent figure, Alissa Mahler keeps a low profile. While she has an Instagram account, it is private and has only 128 followers.
I also found no trace of Alissa on X (Twitter). She’s intentionally staying off social media, maybe to dodge unnecessary online interactions.
On her husband’s Instagram, Alissa isn’t immune to the occasional nasty comments about her appearance.
I find it unfair that because of Michael’s work, Alissa bears the brunt of undeserved hate and criticism. But honestly, she’s a gorgeous woman with a lovely smile.
Final Thoughts
Alissa Mahler is a private person who chooses to stay out of the spotlight cast by her famous husband.
Despite vile remarks hurled their way, Alissa’s quiet strength and grace make her an inspiration. She consistently avoids engagement, denying critics and trolls the satisfaction of a response.
Her education and training likely equipped her with the skills to navigate life alongside a public figure.
As we wait for her future career moves, one thing’s for sure: Alissa’s story is far from over!