Net Worth Ranker
What Is Connie Chung’s Net Worth?
Connie Chung, a prominent Chinese American journalist, boasts a substantial net worth of $80 million. This impressive figure represents the combined financial standing of Connie and her husband, Maury Povich, the well-known talk show host. Their marriage, which began in 1984, has spanned several decades, and they share a family that includes three children, two from Povich’s previous marriage and one adopted son. Chung’s career is marked by her work with major television news networks, including ABC, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, and CBS.
Connie Chung’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Chung’s journey in journalism has been marked by significant roles and memorable interviews. She started her career in the early 1970s, serving as a Washington-based correspondent for “CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite” during the Watergate scandal. Her early work laid the foundation for her future success in the industry. Later, she anchored evening newscasts for KNXT, CBS’s Los Angeles station, and also anchored “CBS Newsbreak,” delivering primetime news updates from Columbia Square in Hollywood. These positions solidified her presence in the broadcasting world.
In 1983, Chung returned to network news as the anchor of NBC’s “NBC News at Sunrise.” She also anchored the Saturday edition of “NBC Nightly News” and often filled in for Tom Brokaw on weeknights. Additionally, she co-hosted the NBC newsmagazines “1986” and “American Almanac” with Roger Mudd. These roles demonstrated her versatility and established her as a leading figure in television news.
Chung’s move to CBS in 1989 brought new opportunities and challenges. She hosted “Saturday Night with Connie Chung,” later renamed “Face to Face with Connie Chung,” for a year. In 1993, she became the co-anchor of “CBS Sunday Evening News,” making her the second woman, after Barbara Walters, to co-anchor a major television network’s national weekday news broadcast. During this time, she also hosted “Eye to Eye with Connie Chung,” which, despite its popularity, faced controversy due to interviews with Newt Gingrich’s mother and a fireman following the Oklahoma City bombing. These controversies contributed to her departure from “CBS Evening News.” Despite the controversies, her time at CBS significantly contributed to her visibility and earning potential.
After leaving CBS, Chung joined ABC News in 1997, where she co-hosted the Monday edition of “20/20” with Charles Gibson. She also made guest appearances on “Good Morning America,” though she chose not to take on a permanent role. In 2001, on “Primetime Thursday,” Chung conducted a notable interview with U.S. Representative Gary Condit, who was linked to the disappearance of intern Chandra Levy. This interview garnered significant attention and added to her reputation for conducting impactful interviews. Her time at ABC further enhanced her financial standing through salary and other benefits.
Connie briefly hosted her own show, “Connie Chung Tonight,” on CNN. Although the show garnered a decent audience, it faced criticism and was eventually suspended in 2003 during the Iraq War. After CNN canceled the show, Chung’s career took her to MSNBC, where she co-hosted “Weekends with Maury and Connie” with her husband in early 2006. However, the show was short-lived, lasting only a few months. While her time at CNN and MSNBC was limited, these roles contributed to her overall career earnings and kept her in the public eye.
Throughout her career, Chung was known for her interview style, which combined gentleness with aggressive inquiry. This approach made her a preferred choice for controversial figures seeking to improve their public image. She interviewed Claus von Bülow, who was convicted of attempting to murder his wife, and was the first journalist to interview Magic Johnson after he disclosed his HIV diagnosis. Her ability to secure high-profile interviews added value to her brand and likely increased her earning potential through higher salaries and other opportunities. The details of her specific contracts with each network are not publicly available. However, it’s plausible that they included clauses related to performance, ratings, and exclusivity, which would have affected her overall compensation.
Real Estate and Personal Life
In 2009, Connie Chung and Maury Povich reportedly made a real estate purchase in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington, D.C. They allegedly signed a contract to buy a $9 million house with 12,500 square feet of living space. The property, built in 1929, features brick-style construction, a pool, koi pond, gazebo, manicured gardens, and a rooftop terrace with city views. While the exact purchase price was not disclosed, it was likely close to the $9 million listing price. This investment in real estate signifies a substantial allocation of their combined wealth. In addition to the D.C. property, Maury and Connie own a ranch in Bigfork, Montana, where they spend several months each year. Details of the ranch’s size, construction, and value are not readily available.
Since marrying in 1984, Chung converted to Judaism and actively participates in her faith. She maintains a kosher lifestyle and attends synagogue with her family. In 1995, she and Povich adopted a son, Matthew. In 2006, Chung took a teaching fellowship at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she wrote a discussion paper titled “The Business of Getting ‘The Get’: Nailing an Exclusive Interview in Prime Time.” This fellowship suggests her commitment to education and continued engagement with the field of journalism. Her personal life, including her religious practices and commitment to family, reflects her values and priorities outside of her professional career.
Connie Chung’s net worth is inextricably linked to her professional accomplishments and strategic financial decisions. Her long-standing career in journalism, punctuated by high-profile interviews and anchoring roles, has contributed significantly to her wealth. In addition, her marriage to Maury Povich, whose career in television has also been lucrative, has combined their financial resources. While specific details about her investment portfolio and other financial ventures are not publicly available, her real estate holdings and the trajectory of her career suggest a well-managed and substantial net worth.
