Tin Swe Thant is the loving and supportive mother of American journalist Alex Wagner. She immigrated to the United States from Myanmar and became a naturalized citizen before attending Swarthmore College.
Tin Swe Thant met and married Carl Wagner, and together they raised Alex to embrace her mixed heritage.
Read on to learn more about Tin Swe Thant’s background, family, ethnicity and her accomplished daughter.
Who is Tin Swe Thant?
Tin Swe Thant was born in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma). She immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen before attending Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. At Swarthmore, she met her future husband Carl Wagner.
Carl was originally from Lansing, Iowa and was of Luxembourger and Irish descent. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and went on to become a prominent Democratic Party political consultant. He co-chaired Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign.
After marrying, Tin Swe Thant and Carl Wagner settled in Washington D.C. where they raised their daughter Alex Wagner.
Tin Swe Thant’s Ethnicity and Heritage
Tin Swe Thant comes from an Asian background, having immigrated from Myanmar to the United States. Her husband Carl Wagner was a Caucasian American with Irish and German roots.
Growing up with parents from diverse backgrounds, Alex Wagner has described herself as a “generic American,” not confined to either her mother’s Asian heritage or her father’s Caucasian roots.
Her parents instilled in her a sense of pride in having a dual cultural heritage.
Tin Swe Thant’s Relationship with Her Daughter Alex Wagner
As a mother, Tin Swe Thant has always been loving and supportive towards her daughter Alex.
On Mother’s Day 2021, Alex posted on social media: “Growing up, my mom was always saying, ‘Alex, I’m not your friend, I’m your MOTHER.’ But now that I’m an adult, the joke’s on you, mom — cause it turns out we’re friends! God, my mom is the best, craziest, [and] most paranoid about ticks, lightning storms, and jellyfish.”
This affectionate tribute shows the close bond between Tin Swe Thant and her accomplished daughter.
While Tin Swe Thant emphasized her role as a mother when Alex was young, they developed a friendship as Alex grew into an independent adult.
About Alex Wagner – Tin Swe Thant’s Daughter
Alex Wagner was born in Washington D.C. and raised primarily in the area. She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor’s degree in History. She also holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Chicago.
Wagner began her journalism career as a cultural correspondent for the Center for American Progress. She has worked as a reporter and editor for various publications including The Fader, Washington City Paper and the Chicago Tribune.
She also built a career as a political commentator and analyst, covering major events like the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections for MSNBC. From 2011-2015, she hosted her own MSNBC show called “Now with Alex Wagner.”
In 2016, Wagner left MSNBC and became a CBS News correspondent. She has covered stories across the U.S. and internationally, embedded with the U.S. Navy in Asia and reporting from the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe.
Most recently, Wagner has hosted “Alex Wagner Tonight” on MSNBC and taken on hosting duties for Netflix’s revival of the reality show “The Mole.”
Alex Wagner’s Personal Life
In her personal life, Alex Wagner married Sam Kass in 2014. Kass is a former White House senior policy advisor on nutrition and the executive director of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign.
Together Wagner and Kass have two sons: Cy Kass Wagner and Micah Kass Wagner. They split their time between New York City and the Hudson River Valley area.
Tin Swe Thant’s Legacy as Alex Wagner’s Mother
As the mother of Alex Wagner, Tin Swe Thant provided a nurturing, supportive home environment that allowed Alex to grow into an accomplished journalist. She instilled Alex with open-mindedness about her diverse cultural background.
Tin Swe Thant immigrated from Myanmar and became a U.S. citizen through her own hard work and determination before attending college. Her perseverance paved the way for her daughter’s success.
Today, Tin Swe Thant can take pride in Alex Wagner’s achievements as a prominent television host, political analyst, author and reporter. Alex speaks fondly of her mother, calling her the “best” and acknowledging the close friendship they now share as adults.
Tin Swe Thant’s journey from immigrant to loving American mother is an inspiration. Her guidance empowered Alex Wagner to embrace her dual heritage and forge her own path as a respected voice in journalism.
