Overview

Judy Carline Woodruff is an American broadcast journalist who has been a prominent figure in television news since 1970. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1946, she grew up as an ‘army brat’, moving frequently during her childhood. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in political science and began her career at a CBS affiliate in Atlanta, later becoming a White House correspondent for NBC News. Woodruff’s career includes significant roles at CNN, where she anchored ‘Inside Politics’ for 12 years, and PBS, where she was the chief Washington correspondent for ‘The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour’. Most notably, she served as the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour until the end of 2022. Woodruff has covered every presidential election and convention since 1976, interviewed numerous heads of state, and moderated U.S. presidential debates. She is a founding co-chair of the International Women’s Media Foundation and has served on various boards, including the Freedom Forum and the Duke Endowment. Judy Woodruff has also authored the book ‘This Is Judy Woodruff at the White House’.

PBS NewsHour

Anchor and Managing Editor

What Is Judy Woodruff Net Worth’ Net Worth?

As of 2025, Judy Woodruff’s net worth is estimated to be $8 million. She has accumulated this wealth through her extensive career as a television news anchor, writer, and journalist. Judy is best known for her role as the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour. Her work with major networks like NBC and CNN has significantly contributed to her financial success.

Sources of Judy Woodruff’s Net Worth

Judy Woodruff’s wealth primarily stems from her decades-long career in journalism. Her roles at PBS NewsHour, NBC, and CNN have provided a substantial income. In addition to her salary, Judy has also earned income as an author. She wrote “This Is Judy Woodruff at the White House,” which has added to her financial portfolio. While the exact figures for her PBS salary are not publicly available, it is understood that her position as anchor and managing editor commands a high salary, placing her among the top earners in the media industry. Estimates suggest her annual earnings range from $500,000 to $1 million.

Judy Woodruff’s career began at a CBS affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia, where she worked as a news anchor from 1970 to 1975. In 1975, she joined NBC News and covered the 1976 U.S. presidential campaign. From 1977 to 1982, Judy was the chief White House correspondent for NBC News, also covering Washington for NBC’s “The Today Show”. In 1993, she joined CNN and hosted “Inside Politics” for 12 years. Since 2006, she has anchored the monthly series “Conversations With Judy Woodruff” for Bloomberg Television. In 2013, she became the co-anchor, with Gwen Ifill, of the Friday and weekend version of PBS NewsHour. After Ifill’s death in 2016, Judy became the sole anchor. In May 2022, Judy announced that she would step down as the NewsHour’s anchor at the end of the year, with her final day as anchor being December 30, 2022.

Judy Woodruff’s Salary and Earnings

While the precise salary Judy Woodruff earns from PBS is not publicly disclosed, industry estimates suggest that her annual earnings range between $500,000 to $1 million. In 2022, it was estimated that Judy made approximately $1.5 million, with a monthly salary of around $120,000. These figures reflect her position as a leading journalist and managing editor.

Factors that influence her salary include her tenure, position, and additional sources of revenue such as writing and speaking engagements. As anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, she holds a critical role in the network, respected for its in-depth and impartial news coverage. High-profile media roles, like her work with CNN and the Bloomberg documentary series “Conversations With Judy Woodruff,” likely contributed significantly to her wealth.

Her work in political journalism has been extensive, covering every election and race since Jimmy Carter was elected. She has also moderated many presidential debates. Judy has been a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a board member for the International Women’s Media Foundation. In 1996, as a CNN Anchor and Correspondent, Judy earned $7,500 for lecture circuit fees.

Judy Woodruff’s Career Milestones

Judy Woodruff’s career milestones include her role as chief White House correspondent for NBC News from 1977 to 1982, her ten years as chief Washington correspondent for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour starting in 1983, and her 12 years hosting “Inside Politics” on CNN beginning in 1993. In 2013, she became co-anchor of PBS NewsHour, and in 2016, she became the sole anchor. She has also authored books, including “This Is Judy Woodruff at the White House.”

Her career began in local television news in Atlanta after graduating from Duke University in 1968. She was hired as a secretary at the news department of the ABC affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia (WQXI-TV), and began working after she graduated in 1968. Besides being a secretary, she presented the weather forecast on Sundays in her last six months at the station. Judy left the affiliate after a year and a half to move to the local CBS affiliate WAGA-TV in 1970, working as a reporter. She covered the Georgia State Legislature, and anchored the noon and evening news. In 1975, she moved to NBC, where she served as a general-assignment reporter based in Atlanta.

Throughout her career, Judy has covered every presidential election and convention since 1976, interviewed numerous heads of state, and moderated U.S. presidential debates. She revealed in 2022 that she would leave her current position at the end of the calendar year and confirmed that she would be switching to lengthier reports, projects, and features for WETA-TV. Her last day anchoring the program was December 30, 2022.

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