Net Worth Ranker
What Is Brian Kilmeade’s Net Worth?
Brian Kilmeade, a prominent American television and radio political commentator and host known for his work on Fox News, has accumulated a significant net worth throughout his career. As of 2025, Brian Kilmeade’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his long-standing career in broadcasting, authorship, and various media engagements. His annual salary from Fox News contributes substantially to his financial standing, amounting to $4 million per year.
Early Career and Fox News Success
Born on May 7, 1964, in New York City, Brian Kilmeade’s career trajectory began with Channel One News, where he served as a correspondent, delivering daily news to high school students across the nation. He then took a position at KHSL-TV in Chico, California, where he honed his skills as a host and anchor. Kilmeade also ventured into sports radio and television, co-hosting “The Jim Brown Show” on KLSD, an all-sports radio network. His involvement with Jim Brown extended to providing commentary on early Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, starting in 1993. He conducted post-fight interviews and later became a play-by-play announcer for UFC 2 and UFC 3 in 1994. In 1997, Kilmeade moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he freelanced as a sports anchor for WVIT, an NBC affiliate, covering Major League Soccer games involving the MetroStars. Before joining Fox News, he anchored “NewSport Journal” and “Scoreboard Central” for NewSport.
Brian Kilmeade’s breakthrough came in 1998 when he joined Fox News Channel as a host of the morning program “Fox & Friends.” Alongside Steve Doocy, Kilmeade has been a mainstay on the show, contributing to its success and longevity. His role as a co-host has solidified his position in the media landscape and played a crucial role in accumulating his net worth. In April 2006, Kilmeade filled in for Tony Snow on his Fox News Radio program, leading to his own radio show, “The Brian Kilmeade Show.” In 2022, he started hosting “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade” on Fox News weekend. This expansion into radio and weekend television has further increased his income streams, augmenting his $4 million annual salary from Fox News.
Authorship and Intellectual Property
Beyond his broadcasting career, Brian Kilmeade has also made a name for himself as an author. His literary works have added to his net worth and established him as a recognized writer. In 2004, he released “The Games Do Count: America’s Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports,” marking his debut as an author. In 2007, he followed up with “It’s How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America’s Finest.” These early works showcased his understanding of sports and their impact on American culture.
Kilmeade’s transition to historical narratives proved to be a successful venture. In 2013, he penned “George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution,” a historical novel focusing on the Culper Ring spies during the American Revolution. This book was well-received, contributing significantly to his net worth through sales and royalties. He continued exploring historical figures with books on Thomas Jefferson in 2015 and Andrew Jackson in 2017. In 2019, he released a book on Sam Houston and the Alamo, further cementing his reputation as a historical author. In 2021, Kilmeade published “The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America’s Soul.” The revenue generated from these books, along with potential audiobook adaptations and other intellectual property rights, contributes to Brian Kilmeade’s net worth.
Salary Details and Income Streams
Brian Kilmeade’s $4 million annual salary from Fox News forms a significant portion of his income. This salary is a result of his long tenure and prominent role as a co-host of “Fox & Friends,” one of the network’s most popular morning shows. Contract details, though not publicly disclosed, likely include provisions for salary increases, performance bonuses, and other benefits. His additional hosting duties, such as “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade,” and his radio program, “The Brian Kilmeade Show,” contribute additional income. These roles likely have separate contracts or addendums that specify compensation for these additional responsibilities. Revenue from book sales, including royalties and potential advances, further enhances his annual earnings. While specific figures for book sales revenue are not available, it’s reasonable to assume that his successful historical narratives have generated substantial income over the years.
Real Estate and Personal Assets
While specific details about Brian Kilmeade’s real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is common for individuals with a net worth of $12 million to own multiple properties. These could include a primary residence in the New York City area, where he is based for his work at Fox News, as well as vacation homes or investment properties in other locations. Given his Irish and Italian heritage, it is possible that he also has real estate investments in Europe. The value of these properties would contribute to his overall net worth. Information regarding Kilmeade’s personal assets, such as investments in stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments, is not publicly accessible. However, it is likely that he has a diversified investment portfolio to manage and grow his wealth. Other assets might include collectibles, art, or other valuable items. These assets, combined with his income from Fox News and book sales, contribute to Brian Kilmeade’s overall financial picture and net worth.
Controversies and Impact on Career
Brian Kilmeade’s career with Fox News has not been without controversy. Several remarks he has made on the air have drawn criticism and public attention. In July 2009, he made comments about Americans marrying “other species and other ethnics,” suggesting that people in Sweden and Finland had “pure genes” because they typically married within their own ethnic background. These remarks were widely condemned, and Kilmeade later apologized. In 2010, he stated that “not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims,” a comment for which he also apologized, clarifying that he was referring to specific attacks by terrorists who had targeted Americans.
Kilmeade’s strong support for Donald Trump during his presidency also generated both praise and criticism. He often defended Trump’s policies and actions, and acted as an informal advisor. In 2018, in reference to the family separation policy at the US-Mexican border, he remarked that the children separated at the border were “not our kids,” which was viewed as insensitive by many. He also defended Trump’s views on climate change and race relations. Following the events of January 6th at the U.S. Capitol, Kilmeade became more critical of Trump, urging him to publicly condemn the actions of his supporters. In January 2022, he stated that Trump should “learn to lose” and that there was no evidence of election tampering, urging the Republican party to move on from questioning the election results. While these controversies have undoubtedly had an impact on his public image, they do not appear to have significantly affected his career trajectory or his net worth. His continued presence on Fox News and his success as an author suggest that he has been able to navigate these challenges and maintain his position in the media landscape.
Personal Life and Habits
Brian Kilmeade married his wife, Dawn, in 1993. Together, they have three children: Brian, Kirstyn, and Kaitlyn. While he pursued a career in television hosting and commentary, he also enjoyed doing stand-up comedy in his free time. However, details about his daily routine, personal habits, and specific lifestyle choices are not publicly available. Information about his charitable donations and philanthropic activities is also not readily accessible. These aspects of his personal life, while not directly contributing to his net worth, provide a more complete picture of his overall character and values.
