Net Worth Ranker
What Is Megyn Kelly’s Net Worth?
Megyn Kelly, a well-known television host and political commentator, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $45 million. This financial standing is primarily attributed to her successful career in journalism, marked by significant roles at Fox News and NBC News, as well as her ventures into media production and podcasting.
Megyn Kelly’s Salary and Contract Details
During her time at Fox News, Megyn Kelly’s salary peaked at $8 million per year, positioning her among the network’s highest-paid personalities, comparable to figures like Tucker Carlson. This substantial income reflected her prominent role and the popularity of her shows, such as “America Live” and “The Kelly File.” However, her transition to NBC News marked a significant leap in her earnings.
In 2017, Kelly signed a three-year contract with NBC News worth $69 million. This equated to an annual salary of approximately $23 million. However, there were reports suggesting the actual annual payout was in the range of $15 million to $20 million. Regardless, this contract represented a substantial increase compared to her Fox News compensation.
Kelly’s tenure at NBC was cut short due to controversial comments made in 2018. Following her dismissal, there was considerable speculation about the terms of her contract payout. Initial reports indicated that NBC was prepared to offer the full $69 million to avoid a prolonged legal dispute and ensure her silence. There was even a reported request from Kelly for an additional $10 million for a confidentiality agreement. Later accounts suggested that the final severance package was closer to $30 million. While the exact figure remains somewhat uncertain, it is clear that Kelly received a significant sum upon her departure from NBC.
The situation surrounding Kelly’s departure from NBC and the resulting payout sparked controversy within the journalism community. Critics argued that she received a substantial amount of money despite a relatively short and controversial stint at the network, especially when compared to the earnings of other journalists over their entire careers. In addition to the financial settlement, Kelly also managed to negotiate the removal of a clause in her contract that would have prevented her from accepting offers from competing networks. This allowed her to pursue new opportunities in media without restrictions.
Early Life and Education
Megyn Marie Kelly was born on November 18, 1970, in Champaign, Illinois. She was raised in a Catholic household in Syracuse before relocating to Albany, New York, with her family at the age of nine. Her father was a professor at the State University of New York at Albany, who passed away from a heart attack when Megyn was 15 years old. She attended high school locally.
Kelly pursued higher education at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where she obtained an undergraduate degree in political science. She then enrolled at Albany Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1995. Following her graduation, Kelly began her career as an associate at a major law firm in Chicago and later worked for the international law firm Jones Day for nine years. While the specific details of her earnings during her legal career are not publicly available, it is reasonable to assume that she earned a competitive salary commensurate with her experience and expertise.
Career in Journalism
Megyn Kelly’s transition to journalism began in 2003 when she joined an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C. Her coverage included the 2004 presidential election. A year later, she was hired by Fox News, where she initially appeared on shows like “Special Report with Brit Hume.” Her legal background made her a valuable asset to the news team, and she hosted her own segment called “Kelly’s Court.”
Initially, Kelly served as a substitute anchor and frequently appeared as a guest panelist on shows such as “The O’Reilly Factor” and “On the Record.” In 2010, she began hosting her own show, “America Live.” After taking maternity leave, Kelly returned in 2013 and started hosting “The Kelly File.” This show became one of Fox’s most popular programs, consistently achieving high ratings. It’s important to reiterate, that during her tenure at Fox News, Megyn Kelly’s salary peaked at $8 million per year. This salary made her one of the highest-earning employees at the network, right on par with people like Tucker Carlson.
In 2017, Kelly moved to NBC News after her contract with Fox expired. She gained recognition for interviewing figures such as Vladimir Putin. She worked at NBC in a “triple role,” which included acting as a correspondent, hosting her own talk show called “Megyn Kelly Today,” and hosting a special Sunday night program called “Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly.” However, her time at NBC was short-lived, as she was forced to resign in 2018 after making controversial statements. As mentioned earlier, Kelly’s three-year contract was worth $69 million, which was the equivalent of $23 million per year – although some reports state that she was actually being paid between $15 million and $20 million per year at NBC. NBC released Kelly only one year after joining, but Kelly walked away with at least $30 million.
Controversies and Media Ventures
Throughout her career, Megyn Kelly has faced several controversies. Early in her Fox News career, she drew criticism for referring to Santa and Jesus as unequivocally “white” on “The Kelly File.” During the 2016 presidential elections, Kelly gained attention for her exchanges with Donald Trump, including moderating a debate and questioning his temperament to be president. In one episode of “Megyn Kelly Today,” she argued that it was acceptable to wear blackface as part of a Halloween costume, which resulted in her dismissal from NBC.
In 2016, Megyn Kelly released her autobiography, “Settle for More,” through HarperCollins after signing a deal worth more than $10 million. While specific sales figures for the book are not readily available, the advance itself contributed significantly to her income. After leaving NBC, Kelly launched her own media company and podcast, “The Megyn Kelly Show,” where she discusses current events and politics. The financial details of her media company and podcast are not publicly disclosed, but these ventures contribute to her overall income and net worth.
Personal Life
Megyn Kelly’s first marriage was to anesthesiologist Daniel Kendall in 2001. They divorced in 2006. In 2008, she married Douglas Brunt, president and CEO of cybersecurity firm Authentium. Over the course of their marriage, the couple has had three children. Although Megyn Kelly has expressed strong political views over the years, she doesn’t support the Democrat Party or the Republican Party. Instead, she identifies as an Independent and has admitted to voting for both Democrat and Republican presidents in the past. In addition, Megyn Kelly identifies as a Catholic and has followed this faith for her entire life.
