Net Worth Ranker
What Is Paula Zahn’s Net Worth?
Paula Zahn, a prominent figure in American journalism and newscasting, has accumulated a net worth of $18 million over her extensive career. This financial standing reflects her decades of work across various major television networks and her endeavors in television production.
Paula Zahn’s Career and Earnings
Zahn’s journey in television began after graduating from Stephens College in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She spent a decade honing her skills at local stations across the United States, including KFMB-TV in San Diego, KCBS-TV in Los Angeles, and WFAA-TV in Dallas. Her early career involved reporting and anchoring roles, providing her with foundational experience before transitioning to national news.
In 1987, Zahn joined ABC News, marking her entry into national news broadcasting. Initially, she anchored “The Health Show,” a weekend program focused on health and medicine. Within months, her role expanded to co-anchoring “World News This Morning” and providing news segments for “Good Morning America.” These positions elevated her profile and exposed her to a broader audience.
In 1990, Zahn transitioned to CBS News, where she co-anchored “CBS This Morning” alongside Harry Smith. During her tenure, she covered significant events such as the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. She also reported on the Waco siege in 1993. Zahn’s departure from “CBS This Morning” in 1996 led to her anchoring the Saturday edition of “CBS Evening News” and contributing to programs like “48 Hours” and “Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel.”
In 1999, Zahn moved to Fox News, where she anchored the nightly newscast “Fox Report” and launched her own primetime show, “The Edge with Paula Zahn.” Her time at Fox News was marked by a salary of $600,000 per year. However, her tenure was cut short when Fox News discovered she had received an offer from CNN at a significantly higher salary.
In September 2001, Zahn joined CNN, coinciding with the September 11 terrorist attacks, where she co-anchored coverage with Aaron Brown. The following day, she began co-anchoring “American Morning” with Anderson Cooper. By 2003, she returned to primetime as the host of “Live from the Headlines,” covering major events like the Iraq War. Later, she hosted her show “Paula Zahn Now.” Zahn’s move to CNN came with a salary of $2.1 million per year, a substantial increase from her earnings at Fox News. Her contract negotiations sparked legal contention, with Fox News threatening to sue CNN, Zahn, and her agent over an alleged breach of contract.
After resigning from CNN in 2007, Zahn returned to local broadcasting in 2008, co-hosting “SundayArts” on New York City’s PBS stations WNET and WLIW. In 2009, she began producing and hosting the true crime documentary series “On the Case with Paula Zahn” on the Investigation Discovery channel. This program has become a significant part of her career, focusing on crime mysteries and featuring interviews with individuals connected to the cases.
Throughout her career, Paula Zahn has demonstrated versatility and adaptability, transitioning between morning news, primetime shows, and documentary series. Her consistent presence on television and her ability to cover a wide range of topics have contributed to her financial success and net worth.
Additional Ventures and Recognitions
Beyond her work as a journalist and newscaster, Paula Zahn has engaged in other television appearances, including hosting the annual “From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration” special on PBS on New Year’s Day in 2011. These additional ventures, while not as prominent as her news anchoring roles, have added to her overall income and visibility.
Zahn’s contributions to journalism and her advocacy for various causes have earned her recognition and honors. She was named an honorary board member of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, reflecting her commitment to breast cancer awareness and cancer research in general. In 2003, she received an honorary doctoral degree from Dowling College, acknowledging her achievements in the field of journalism.
Zahn’s net worth is not solely derived from her salaries at various news networks. While specific details of her investments, endorsements, or business ventures are not publicly available, it is common for high-profile media personalities to diversify their income streams through investments, public speaking engagements, and other opportunities. These additional sources of revenue likely contribute to her overall financial standing.
The combination of her sustained career in television news, her ability to secure high-paying contracts, and her involvement in various television projects have solidified Paula Zahn’s financial success and established her net worth at $18 million.
