Net Worth Ranker
What Is Melissa Francis’ Net Worth?
Melissa Francis, an accomplished American actress and television journalist, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $8 million. This financial standing reflects her diverse career spanning acting, journalism, and authorship. Her roles at CNBC, CNET, and Fox, combined with her entrepreneurial endeavors, have significantly contributed to her overall net worth. This includes her earnings as a co-host on “Outnumbered,” and “After the Bell.”
Melissa Francis’ Early Career and Acting Ventures
Melissa Francis embarked on her acting career at a very young age, appearing in a Johnson & Johnson shampoo commercial when she was just six months old. In 1979, at the age of seven, she appeared in two television films – “Champions: A Love Story” and “Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love.” From 1979 to 1980, she had a main role in the series “Joe’s World.” These early roles marked the beginning of a sustained presence in the entertainment industry. Between 1981 and 1982, Francis secured a notable role as Cassandra Cooper Ingalls on “Little House on the Prairie.” Additionally, she appeared in episodes of popular shows like “Mork & Mindy,” “Galactica 1980,” and “When the Whistle Blows” in 1980. These appearances, while contributing to her early income, also laid the foundation for her future career in media.
In 1984, she appeared in the television film “Something About Amelia.” The following year, she appeared in episodes of “Hotel,” “CBS Schoolbreak Special,” and “St. Elsewhere.” In 1986, she booked a main role in the show “Morningstar/Eveningstar.” In 1988, she appeared in an episode of “A Year in the Life,” followed by an episode of “ALF” in 1989. In 1990, she appeared in “Hardball.”
Her acting career, which spanned over a decade, provided her with initial financial stability and industry experience, contributing to her early net worth accumulation. Throughout her acting career, she also appeared in nearly 100 commercials. These appearances provided supplemental income and further exposure, which undoubtedly assisted in building her financial foundation.
Transition to Journalism and Fox News Career
After graduating from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1995, Francis transitioned to a career in television journalism. Her early positions included roles at WCSH-TV in Portland, Maine, and WFSB-TV in Hartford, Connecticut. She also worked as a general assignment reporter in Providence, Rhode Island, and Manchester, New Hampshire. These roles allowed her to hone her skills in reporting and broadcasting. She then began working as a correspondent for CNET. There, she covered stories related to consumer products, finance, and technology. During this time, she was also often featured on CNBC, where she provided reports on those topics. Francis was later hired as an energy and financial reporter for CNBC in 2003.
Francis joined the Fox Business Network in 2012, marking a significant milestone in her journalism career. During her time at Fox, she served as a panelist on “America Live” from 2012 to 2013 and frequently appeared on “Cavuto on Business” and “Your World with Neil Cavuto.” From 2012 to 2015, she hosted “Money with Melissa Francis.”
In 2014, Francis became a co-host of “Outnumbered,” and in 2015, she began co-hosting “After the Bell.” During her time at Fox, Francis’ salary was reportedly close to $1 million per year. However, she discovered that she was being paid significantly less than her male co-anchors. This led to a salary dispute, which ultimately resulted in her departure from Fox in October 2020. In June 2022, Melissa was reportedly awarded a $15 million settlement from Fox.
Salary Dispute and Settlement Details
In 2017, when Melissa Francis was promoted to co-host “Outnumbered,” she requested a salary increase, noting the disparity between her compensation and that of her male counterparts. Despite receiving a modest raise, the gap persisted, leading Francis to compile a spreadsheet documenting the salary discrepancies at Fox. This data revealed a consistent pattern of male anchors earning significantly more than their female colleagues. The dispute escalated to arbitration, culminating in Francis’s departure from Fox in October 2020. Subsequently, in June 2022, Francis reportedly secured a $15 million settlement from Fox, addressing the prior salary inequalities and contributing significantly to her current net worth.
Authorship and Literary Contributions
In addition to her television career, Melissa Francis has also made contributions as an author. In November 2012, she published “Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter: A Memoir,” which details her experiences with her mother. Five years later, she released “Lessons from the Prairie,” inspired by her childhood acting experience on “Little House on the Prairie.” These books not only provided additional income but also added to her public profile, further enhancing her brand and potential earnings.
Personal Life and Investments
Melissa Francis has been married to Wray Thorn since 1997. The couple met in Boston, as Thorn also attended Harvard University. They have had three children together – Greyson, Thompson, and Gemma. The family lives in New York City. While specific details about her personal investments are not publicly available, it can be assumed that she has made investments in stocks, bonds, real estate, or other financial instruments, which contribute to her overall net worth. It is common for individuals with substantial earnings to diversify their income through various investments to secure their financial future.
Assets and Real Estate
While specific details of Melissa Francis’ real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is known that she resides in New York City with her family. Real estate investments, particularly in a high-value market like New York City, can significantly contribute to an individual’s net worth. It is common for high-net-worth individuals to own property, either as a primary residence or as investment properties. It can be assumed that she owns or has owned properties that have appreciated in value over time, further enhancing her financial portfolio. Details about other assets, such as vehicles or luxury goods, are not publicly available.
