Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bill O’Reilly’s Net Worth?
Bill O’Reilly, a prominent figure in American media, has amassed a considerable net worth of $85 million. This financial standing is largely attributed to his successful career as a television host, author, and political commentator. His tenure at Fox News, particularly his role as the host of “The O’Reilly Factor,” played a significant role in building his wealth.
O’Reilly’s Career and Financial Milestones
O’Reilly’s career began with reporting and anchoring positions at various television stations, including WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he even occasionally reported the weather. He also worked at WFAA-TV in Dallas, KMGH-TV in Denver, KATU in Portland, WFSB in Hartford, WNEV-TV (now WHDH-TV) in Boston, and WCBS-TV in New York. During this early phase, he won two local Emmy Awards for his news coverage, one in Denver for coverage of a skyjacking and another in New York for an investigation into corrupt city marshals. He also worked as a correspondent for CBS News in 1982.
His move to “Inside Edition” in 1989 marked a significant step in his career, quickly becoming the program’s anchor just three weeks after joining. However, it was his role at Fox News that catapulted him to national prominence. In October 1996, he was hired to anchor “The O’Reilly Report,” later renamed “The O’Reilly Factor.”
At the peak of his career with Fox News, Bill O’Reilly earned an annual salary of $25 million. This substantial income solidified his position as one of the highest-paid personalities in cable news. “The O’Reilly Factor” became one of the network’s most popular shows, drawing a large audience and generating significant revenue for Fox News. The show is credited with starting the trend of opinion-oriented prime-time cable news programming. O’Reilly also hosted “The Radio Factor” from 2002 to 2009 and returned to radio in 2019 with the “The O’Reilly Update,” a 15-minute daily series.
However, O’Reilly’s tenure at Fox News came to an abrupt end in April 2017 following a report by The New York Times detailing settlements totaling $50 million paid to settle sexual harassment lawsuits against him. These allegations and the subsequent controversy led to his firing from the network. Some reports suggest O’Reilly received a $25 million settlement from Fox News upon his dismissal, equivalent to one year’s salary. The New York Times released a report that detailed how Bill O’Reilly and Fox paid $50 million to settle various sexual harassment lawsuits brought against the anchor. One settlement alone was for $9 million. A few months after his dismissal, an additional report revealed yet another settlement in the amount of $32 million, allegedly paid to one woman. That’s a total of $82 million in alleged payoffs.
Following his departure from Fox News, O’Reilly ventured into podcasting, launching “No Spin News” in April 2017. While the specific revenue generated from his podcasting endeavors is not publicly disclosed, it represents a continued effort to engage with his audience and maintain a presence in the media landscape.
O’Reilly’s Literary Success and Other Ventures
Beyond his broadcasting career, O’Reilly is a prolific author. Since 1998, he has written over 15 books, many of which have topped “The New York Times” bestseller list. His 2006 book “Culture Warrior” sold one million print copies in its first three months. He is particularly known for his “Killing” series, co-authored with Martin Dugard, which explores the deaths of historical figures. The commercial success of these books has contributed significantly to his overall net worth.
Specific details about O’Reilly’s investments and real estate holdings are not publicly available. Given his substantial income over the years, it is likely that he has diversified his assets across various investment vehicles and properties. He resides in the upscale neighborhood of Manhasset, New York, on Long Island.
Early Life and Education
William James O’Reilly Jr. was born on September 10, 1949, in Manhattan, New York. He was raised in Fort Lee, New Jersey, and Levittown on Long Island. He has a sister, Janet. Bill attended Chaminade High School in Mineola, a private Catholic boys high school, graduating in 1967. He then proceeded to attend Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, also spending a year studying abroad in England at Queen Mary College at the University of London.
Following his college graduation in 1971, O’Reilly landed a job teaching English and history at Monsignor Pace High School in Miami. Returning to school in 1973, he earned a master of arts degree from Boston University in broadcast journalism. Later on, he also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he received a master of public administration degree in 1996.
Personal Life
Bill O’Reilly was married to PR executive Maureen McPhilmy from 1996 until their separation in 2010. Their divorce was finalized in 2011. They have a daughter and a son together, and each still resides in the upscale neighborhood of Manhasset, New York, on Long Island. In May 2016, O’Reilly sued McPhilmy for $10 million, claiming she “made false representations and material omissions of existing fact … for the sole purpose of inducing Plaintiff to agree to a consensual divorce and to obtain money and real property to finance an existing extra-marital relationship.” McPhilmy is now married to a police officer named Jeffrey Gross. She reportedly bragged about cheating on Bill with Jeffrey throughout their marriage.
Bill O’Reilly’s Net Worth Details
To summarize, Bill O’Reilly’s net worth of $85 million is primarily derived from his successful career in television, radio, and publishing. His annual salary of $25 million at Fox News was a significant contributor to his wealth. While the controversies surrounding his departure from Fox News and the associated settlements have undoubtedly had an impact, O’Reilly has continued to engage with his audience through podcasting and writing, maintaining his presence in the media landscape. His career showcases the potential for significant financial success in the media industry, as well as the challenges and controversies that can arise.
Additional details on O’Reilly’s specific investments, real estate holdings, or other assets are not publicly available. As with many high-profile individuals, financial information is often kept private, making it difficult to provide a complete picture of his financial portfolio. However, based on his known income and career trajectory, it is reasonable to assume that he has made prudent investments and diversified his assets to secure his financial future.
The specific details regarding O’Reilly’s book royalties and sales figures beyond the initial figures for “Culture Warrior” are not publicly available. However, given the number of books he has authored and their consistent presence on bestseller lists, it is likely that his book sales have generated a substantial amount of income over the years.
While the exact financial terms of his podcasting venture “No Spin News” are not disclosed, it is a source of revenue that contributes to his overall financial standing. Podcasting has become an increasingly popular medium for content creators, and O’Reilly’s established audience likely provides a solid base for his podcast.
In conclusion, Bill O’Reilly’s net worth of $85 million is a testament to his successful career in the media industry. His work as a television host, author, and political commentator has allowed him to amass considerable wealth. Despite the controversies and challenges he has faced, O’Reilly has remained a prominent figure in the media landscape, and his financial success reflects his enduring influence.
