Bret Baier Opens Up About His Son’s Heart Journey: “This Was Our Something”

Washington, D.C. – On screen, Bret Baier is known as a steady, composed anchor of Special Report on Fox News. But off camera, he’s a father who’s weathered more than a few storms — especially when it comes to his 17-year-old son, Paul.

As this year’s Father’s Day approached, Bret shared a deeply personal update about his son’s fifth open-heart surgery, an unexpected and life-threatening event that unfolded in 2024. The story, while emotional, offers a powerful reminder of the strength of family, the progress of medical science, and the resilience of the human spirit.

A Long Road From the Start

Paul was born on June 29, 2007, with five congenital heart defects — a condition that Bret and his wife Amy had no idea about before his birth. From day one, Paul’s heart wasn’t pumping properly. Just days after entering the world, he underwent his first open-heart surgery.

It wouldn’t be his last.

Over the next several years, Paul had three more major heart surgeries: one at 10 months, another at age six, and a fourth at 13. After that, the Baier family believed the most difficult days were behind them. Doctors had projected that Paul wouldn’t need further surgery until well into adulthood.

But in 2024, life threw them another curveball.

A Cold That Changed Everything

It began innocently enough — Paul came down with a common cold. Out of caution, Amy took him to the doctor. An X-ray was ordered. Then an MRI.

What followed was a moment Bret now recalls as one of the most terrifying of his life.

“They sat me down and said, ‘This is a really big deal,’” Bret remembers. “It was an aneurysm the size of a golf ball off his heart. If it burst, it could have been fatal in minutes.”

Everything moved fast. Within 12 hours, Paul was back in the operating room — this time for the fifth and most urgent heart surgery of his young life.

An Unexpected Battle

Unlike the previous surgeries, this one came with no time to mentally prepare. Bret describes it as “exponentially more stressful.” The suddenness of the diagnosis, the gravity of the situation, and the fear of what could happen made the entire ordeal overwhelming.

But once again, Paul made it through.

“The recovery was awesome,” Bret says now, a year later. “The doctors and nurses at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., were incredible. And Paul — he just pushes through. He’s strong.”

For now, it looks like Paul may not need another open-heart operation. While smaller procedures like angioplasties might be necessary down the road, the hope is that the most serious surgeries are behind him.

Returning to Normal Life

Despite missing a significant portion of school during his recovery, Paul finished his junior year of high school and is now looking ahead to college. He’s also a dedicated athlete — a golfer who plays on his high school team — and recently joined the family for a trip to the Masters, a tradition they all enjoy.

“We want him to be a normal kid,” Bret says. “Seventeen years ago, after his first surgery as a baby, we never thought we’d get here. But here we are.”

That desire for normalcy is central to how Bret and Amy now approach parenting. While they’re aware of Paul’s medical history and what he’s endured, they try to give him the same freedoms any teen would want — hanging out with friends, driving, being active, and yes, even annoying his younger brother Daniel.

“Once we got over that last hurdle last year, it’s back to normal,” Bret says, smiling. “He’s still beating up his little brother and doing all the usual stuff.”

A Father’s Perspective

Through all the challenges, Bret says the experience has profoundly changed how he views both life and work.

“Everyone has something they’re dealing with in their family,” he reflects. “This was our something.”

As a prominent journalist who often interviews world leaders and tackles major political issues, Baier says that when he gets a moment to unplug, he fully immerses himself in family time. The challenges with Paul have helped him draw clear lines between work and what really matters.

“It gives me perspective,” he says. “I put the phone down, spend time with my family, and just appreciate where we are. We’ve been through a lot to get here.”

Balancing Work and Family

Despite the personal challenges, Bret’s professional life has remained remarkably full. In early 2025, he interviewed former President Donald Trump and later met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a tense White House meeting. He’s currently working on securing an interview with Chinese President Xi Jinping — a long-time goal.

He’s also preparing for the release of his latest historical book, To Rescue the American Spirit: Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower, due out October 21. It’s the newest installment in his bestselling presidential biography series.

Still, even with the demanding nature of his job, Bret says his family keeps him grounded. No matter how big the interview or how packed the schedule, nothing compares to the emotional weight of watching your child face life-threatening surgeries — and come out the other side.

Looking Ahead

As Paul enters his senior year of high school, the Baiers are hopeful. They know there may still be hurdles ahead, but they also know how far they’ve come.

“It’s been a journey,” Bret says. “And we’re trying to enjoy it now.”

That outlook — one of gratitude, caution, and celebration — is what Bret hopes to carry forward. Not just on Father’s Day, but every day.

A Story of Strength, Family, and Hope

In a world where news often focuses on politics, crises, and division, Bret Baier’s personal story offers something different — a glimpse into the quiet, powerful resilience of family.

Paul’s journey, marked by five major surgeries before adulthood, is a reminder of how far medicine has come, how deep a parent’s love can run, and how hope often lives in the most difficult moments.

“This was our something,” Bret said. And by sharing it, he’s reminded many families facing their own battles that strength often comes in the form of simply being there — one day, one challenge, one heartbeat at a time.