There are certain television personalities, be it news anchors, presenters, or journalists, who have been on our screens for years now, taking us through each exciting, dramatic, devastating, or uplifting event that has happened, for some of us, since we can remember ourselves! Here is a quick look at some of our most loved and most successful journalists and broadcasters; where they began and where they are today, and where they might be going in the near future.
Wolf Blitzer (In his early 30’s)
Wolf Blitzer
The 72-year-old German American journalist Wolf Blitzer is the host of The Situation Room airing on CNN. Wolf began his career after graduating from Buffalo University, moving to Israel where he worked for Routers and The Jerusalem Post. During his time in Israel, he covered the story of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, who provided highly classified information to the Israeli government. Today Blitzer is earning a respectful $5 Million a year for his daily show on CNN.
Diane Sawyer (In her early 40’s)
Next on our list is journalist and television broadcaster anchoring ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America 20/20, and Primetime newsmagazine on ABC News. Sawyer also hosted CBS Morning on CBS News and became the first female correspondent on 60 Minutes. With an annual salary of $9 million, Diane’s net worth is estimated at $80 million. Sawyer was once in a relationship with the former President Richard Nixon aide, Frank Gannon. She has appeared on Forbes magazine’s List of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women several times.
Diane Sawyer
Sean Hannity (In his early 30’s)
Although never graduating from any university, the next news reporter and broadcaster Sean Hannity is the host of his own TV show “The Hannity Show” on Fox News. The 59-year-old reporter made a name for himself as a very opinionated persona. With a $40 million salary from Fox News, you may say his opinion counts. Hannity has been accused of putting forward factually inaccurate views and opinions in the past, particularly by The Washington Post.
Sean Hannity
Oprah Winfrey (In her 30’s)
Oprah Winfrey hardly needs an introduction as one of the most successful women in the entertainment industry. The Mississippi girl who was born into poverty today has a net worth of $2.6 billion. She is the chairwoman and CEO of Harpo Productions, Chairwoman, CEO and CCO of the Oprah Winfrey Network, and a well-known philanthropist. Winfrey has continued to go from strength to strength in her phenomenal and illustrious career, having interviewed every kind of celebrity and person in general.
Chris Wallace (In his early 30’s)
The winner of many journalism awards, this political reporter used to appear on our screen on Fox News until he retired last year. Wallace was born in Chicago in 1947 and attended Harvard University before becoming a Fox News reporter, making $4 million a year. While Wallace was born into journalism pedigree thanks to his father’s place, Mike Wallace, it was Bill Leonard, his stepfather, who was the true inspiration behind his incredible and lengthy career.
Chris Wallace
Shepard Smith (In his early 30’s)
Other than being an anchor on Fox News, Shepard has his own show The Shepard Smith Reporting. Until his soon retirement from television, the 56 years old Holly Springs, Mississippi born is currently making $10 million a year from the network. Shephard Smith came out of the closet in 2017, saying that he had for many years been dating an unnamed partner. As you can see, Smith has aged like a fine wine over the years.
Shepard Smith
Lester Holt (In his early 40’s)
The esteemed journalist who we see regularly on NBC News was born in 1959 in California, where he attended California State University. Holts appeared on Nightly News and moved to NYC where he lives today thanks to a $4 million salary from the network. Max Robinson of ABC News is considered to be his predecessor, who he co-anchored with, becoming the initial African-American anchor to lead a nightly newscast as a steady appearance. A truly notable career!
Lester Holt
Bill Hemmer (In his early 30’s)
The Cincinnati-born Hemmer started his way on Fox News network as a reporter and moved all the way up until scoring his own show Bill Hemmer Reports. The 55 years old journalist is a Miami University grad who enjoys a 9 digits salary. Hemmer was born to a Cincinnati, Ohio family, whose father was an executive at a mattress-producing business. He has many siblings, and went to school at Our Lady of Victory, a Catholic institution.
Bill Hemmer
Norah O’Donnell (In her late teens)
Norah O’Donnell could easily be one of the most established and recognizable journalists in the United States and her New York home showcases her many awards. Otherwise, the mom of three has managed to balance her successful career and her personal life incredibly well! The journalist and anchor of the CBS evening news is also a correspondent for 60 Minutes. Her long history on our screens has earned her today’s annual salary of $7 million.
Norah O’Donnell
Andrew Napolitano (In his early 50’s)
The accomplished honorable judge who was the youngest Supreme Court judge in the state of New Jersey is a Princeton University grad with a law degree from Notre Dame Law School. From the rough streets of Newark, New Jersey to the TV screen and the respectful Supreme Court sitting, Napolitano’s current salary is $3 million. Napolitano managed to overcome his trying and sometimes dangerous upbringing to become a leading authority in American politics and law.
Andrew Napolitano
Martha Maccallum (In her early 40’s)
Fox News anchor and journalist, Martha Maccallum, was born in Buffalo NY attended St. Lawrence University and become a regular on our TV screen. The 56-year-old host reportedly makes $700,000 a year for her daily TV appearance. It is incredible how so many reporters manage to retain their youthful vigor and good looks. Maccallum has interviewed some of the United States’ most powerful figures, such as John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee for 2008, as well as President Barack Obama.
Martha Maccallum
Brit Hume (In his early 40’s)
The beloved ABC News reporter and host retired in 2016 at the respectful age of 72. Born in Washington DC, Hume attended The University of Virginia – where he lives these days, enjoying the fruits of his long labor. Alexander Britton “Britt” Hume enjoyed a long stretch with ABC News that lasted 23 years. Between 1989 and 1996, Hume was the chief White House correspondent for ABC News. Following a tragic loss in his family, Hume became a devoted and passionate Christian.
Brit Hume
Greta Van Susteren (In her early 40’s)
Not to be confused with the teenage environmental activist with the same first name. This journalist is the former television news anchor for CNN, Fox News, and NBC News. Van Susteren also had her own show on Fox News On the Record With Greta Van Susteren for 14 years before moving to MSNBC to host Record with Greta until she retired in 2017. Her last yearly paycheck from the network was $12 million, which brought her net worth up to $40 million dollars.
Greta Van Susteren
Charles Osgood (In his early 40’s)
The next reporter on our list had the privilege to host the CBS News Sunday Morning for nearly 22 years until he retired in 2016. This New York City journalist attended Fordham University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. His full name is Charles Osgood Wood III, and he also provided the narration for Horton Hears a Who!, the cheerful 2008 animated film that was built on Dr. Seuss’s children’s book.
Charles Osgood
Mo Rocca (In his late 30’s)
The next on our list is a respectful Harvard graduate. Born in Washington DC, the 51 years old host is the son of a Colombian immigrant, who is now a regular on CBS where he is a correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, host of The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation and the host of the Mobituaries with Mo Rocca podcast from CBS News. This busy bee has a net worth of $3 million thanks to over $400,000 in annual salaries.
Mo Rocca
Geraldo Rivera (In his early 30’s)
The successful talk-show host of Geraldo Talk Show between the years 1987-1998 is also a journalist, writer, and attorney. Later on in his career, Rivera hosted the evening news show on CNBC Rivera Live until 2001 when he moved to FOX News as a war correspondent. His current net worth is estimated at $15 million. Rivera is famous for his iconically bristly mustache, which, as you can see from the side-by-side pictures, has remained in full force over the decades.
Geraldo Rivera
Jane Pauley (In her early 40’s)
The beloved American television journalist Jane Pauley started her career in 1972 as a reporter. She held a 12-year position as NBC’s co-host for the show Dateline, a 13 year-long position on NBC’s Today show, until becoming CBS Sunday Morning anchor. Pauley publicly struggled with bipolar disorder and became a member of the Board of Directors for the Children’s Health Fund in New York City. This was a much-needed advocacy for mental health in general from a leading member of the news anchor world.
Jane Pauley
Pat Sajak (In his early 40’s)
The 73-year-old reporter from Chicago is well known to all from The Wheel of Fortune, which he has hosted for 36 years now(!) more than any other entertainer. Sajak is a US Army veteran who served as a DJ during the Vietnam War. Today he earns an annual salary of $15 million as the host of The Wheel of Fortune, which brings his total net worth to $65 million. Sajak has led an incredibly vibrant and exciting life, with many phenomenal personal stories to tell.
Pat Sajak
Amy Robach (In her late teens)
Amy Robach is the next journalist and TV host on our list, who is well-known thanks to her appearances on shows like Today, Good Morning America, and 20/20. Along with her actor husband Andrew Shue, the couple’s net worth is estimated at $10 helped by the $300,000 salary from the network. Robach was one of the first journalists to push for the coverage of Jeffery Epstein, the late convicted human trafficker. Unfortunately, her efforts would be marred by red tape.
Amy Robach
Katie Couric (In her early 30’s)
Couric began her journalism career as an assistant at ABC before joining NBC as a reporter and becoming co-anchor of the “Today” show. Couric was named the first solo female anchor of “CBS Evening News” in 2006, and in 2012 she became the host of the ABC talk show “Katie”. Couric would go on to create her own production company, called Katie Couric Media, which provides a wide selection of multimedia news. She recently became the first female host of Jeopardy!, even if she was just a guest.
Katie Couric
Trevor Noah (In his childhood)
This South African comedian replaced John Stewart on the Daily Show, where he reportedly made around $3 million in 2015. After his renewed contract in 2017, his salary probably went up, bringing his net worth to $28 million. Trevor Noah began his career as a highly popular and adored comedian in South Africa, where his presence and charisma began attracting the positive attention of American producers. His brave and humorous approach to journalism made him a standout addition to the Daily Show.
Trevor Noah
Kelly Ripa (In her early 20’s)
Kelly Ripa’s first appearance on the big screen was on the soap opera All My Children, which earned her a long-acting role on television, lasting 12 years. From the daily soap opera, Kelly became the co-host of Live! with Regis and Kelly, alongside Regis Philbin. Today, she shares the screen with Ryan Seacrest and earns an annual salary of $22 million that brings her net worth to $120 million. Ripa has maintained a glamorous and chic appearance and persona over her long career.
Natalie Morales (In her teens)
Taiwanese-born Natalie Morales is the West Coast’s anchor for The Today Show, with occasional appearances on other NBC programs like Dateline NBC and NBC Nightly News. Morales made it to our list with a $2 million reported annual salary and a net worth of $16 million. Morales’ Brazilian mother, called Penelope, gave birth to her in Taiwan, alongside Morales’ father, called Lieutenant Colonel Mario Morales Jr., who is of Puerto Rican descent. Morales is a proud mother herself of two sons.
Natalie Morales
Michael Strahan (In his childhood)
Strahan is a former professional NFL defensive player for the New York Giants who started his off-court on-screen career in 2008 as Fox NFL Sunday pre-game show host along with others. Ten years later, Strahan hosts the Fox NFL Thursday pre-game show streamed live from NYC. In 2010 he joined Kelly Ripa on Live! And Good Morning America until 2016 then he began hosting Strahan, Sara, and Keke on NBC. Michael’s reported net worth stands on $80 million, with $4 million in annual salary.
Michael Strahan
Nancy O’Dell (In her early 20’s)
The Clemson graduate and former Miss South Carolina began her broadcasting career as a reporter and anchor at WDPE-TV. Working her way through local stations she finally landed a job on Access Hollywood, until 2009. In 2011 she became a special correspondent and co-anchor on Entertainment Tonight, where she earned a salary of about $2 million. In 2019 she announced she will be leaving the channel. O’Dell has a Clemson University Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, a degree that she completed in May 2013.
Nancy O’Dell
Robin Roberts (In her early 20’s)
Alabama-born Robin Roberts is the anchor for ABC’s Good Morning America after she began her way as a sports anchor and sportscaster for ESPN 15 years ago. Her reported annual salary is about $18 million per year, which brings her net worth to $35 million. Despite Tuskegee, Alabama being her birthplace, Roberts’ family would move to Pass Christian, Mississippi shortly after Robin’s birth, where she was raised. Roberts soon proved herself as a capable and multi-talented athlete.
Robin Roberts
Bret Baier (In his early 20’s)
The 49-year-old New Jersey-born Bret Baier has been the host of Special Report with Bret Baier on FOX News since 2008, replacing Brit Hume. Baier began his reporting career on local stations before joining CBS and later NBC until he entered FOX News in 1998. Before replacing Hume, Bret was FOX’s chief White House Correspondent and Pentagon Correspondent. With an impressive career behind him and a bright future ahead of him, he is now making $7 million per year, bringing his net worth to $20 million.
Bret Baier
Hoda Kotb (In her childhood)
Oklahoma-born Hoda Kotb started her broadcasting career on the small screen in 1998 as she joined NBC’s Dateline as a correspondent. In 2008 she then joined the Today Show panel as a co-host and in 2017 became the co-anchor of Today. With an annual salary of $7 million, her reported net worth is approximately $30 million. Korb is of Egyptian descent, born to a fossil energy specialist called Abdel Kader Kotb, who sadly passed in 1986 at the relatively young age of 51.
Hoda Kotb
Bill O’Reilly (In his late 20’s)
The next journalist on our list is also an author and a former television host. O’Reilly started his career as a reporter for a local station until he joined CBS News then ABC News. He became the Inside Edition anchor in 1989 then received his own TV Show – The O’Reilly Factor – that ran for 21 seasons on FOX News. With an $85 million net worth, he is amongst the highest-paid journalists on our list.
Bill OReilly
Anderson Cooper (In his early 20’s)
The 1967 New York City-born Anderson Cooper is the son of writer Wyatt Emory Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt, artist, fashion designer, and writer herself. The Vanderbilt family were millionaires in their own right but instead of using his family name and status, he made his own name thanks to hard work and dedication. After graduating from Yale University, Cooper begins his career as a reporter in Myanmar and slowly made his way up, creating a reputation for himself as a dedicated news reporter. Today he is the host of Anderson Cooper 360, scoring $11 Million a year.
Anderson Cooper
Laura Ingraham (In her 20’s)
If you are a fan of Fox, you are surely a fan of Laura Ingraham. The presenter and radio host is also now the editor-in-chief of LifeZette magazine and the host of her very own TV show The Ingraham Angle which brought her a $2 million in annual salary. During the 1980s, Ingraham worked as a speechwriter for the Reagan administration. In more recent times, Ingraham has been widely criticized for her nationalist agendas, not shying away from making controversial comments on homosexuality, immigration, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Laura Ingraham
Megyn Kelly (In her late 20’s)
The 47-year-old Syracuse University grad is the previous NBC News anchor, presenter for NBC’s Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly, and daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today. Kelly started her career on local news channels before her appearance on Fox News where she contributed to the legal segment on Special Report with Brit Hume. Megyn’s salaries from the different networks as reported were $20 million and $23 million a year! Which brought her net worth to a very respectful $45 million.
Megyn Kelly
Rachel Maddow (In her early 20’s)
Rachel Maddow found fame and fortune when she hosted The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. This Cali girl is a proud alumna of both University of Oxford and Stanford University! With a $7 million annual salary from the network, Maddow has an estimated net worth of $20 million. As opposed to our previously discussed journalist, Maddow is a passionate liberal. Her 2019 book, Blowout, earned her a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album during the 2021 ceremony.
