Net Worth Ranker
What Is Tom Brokaw’s Net Worth?
Tom Brokaw, a celebrated American television journalist and author, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $85 million. This financial standing reflects his decades-long career in broadcast journalism, marked by his prominent role as an anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” from 1982 to 2004, and subsequent contributions to NBC News as a special correspondent.
Tom Brokaw’s Career and Earnings
Brokaw’s journey with NBC News began in 1966, anchoring and reporting for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles before becoming the network’s White House correspondent during the Watergate scandal. His tenure at “NBC Nightly News” saw him report on major historical events, including the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. His interviews with world leaders such as Mikhail Gorbachev and the Dalai Lama further solidified his reputation. Brokaw also coined the term “The Greatest Generation,” further adding to his legacy.
A significant aspect of Tom Brokaw’s net worth stems from his various contracts with NBC. In 1997, he signed a five-year contract worth $7 million, equating to approximately $11.4 million in today’s dollars. This was followed by a three-year extension to continue his role at “NBC Nightly News” until 2004. After this contract ended, Brokaw secured a 10-year extension, which involved producing documentaries and other series for the network. While the specific terms of subsequent extensions remain undisclosed, annual salary amounts are believed to be around $5 million, significantly contributing to Tom Brokaw’s net worth.
After stepping down from “Nightly News,” Brokaw continued as a special correspondent for NBC News, contributing to coverage of major events and producing documentaries. In 2014, President Barack Obama presented Brokaw with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting his contribution to the field.
Tom Brokaw’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Thomas John Brokaw on February 6, 1940, in Webster, South Dakota, he is the eldest of three sons of Jean and Anthony Brokaw. He attended Yankton Senior High School, where he was governor of the South Dakota American Legion Boys State, before attending the University of Iowa. He later transferred to the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. His early career included roles at television stations such as KITV in Sioux City, Iowa, and other stations in Nebraska and Georgia, before joining NBC News in 1966. Initially, he anchored the 11 p.m. News at KNBC in Los Angeles. A significant turning point came when he was appointed as NBC’s White House correspondent just before the Watergate scandal. He was also the anchor of the Saturday editions of “Nightly News” during this period.
Brokaw’s career saw him offered the position of press secretary in the Nixon White House in 1969, an offer he declined, focusing on his journalism career. In April 1982, Brokaw began his tenure on “NBC Nightly News” from New York, initially as a co-anchor with Roger Mudd. By September 1983, he became the sole anchor, leading “The NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.” During this time, he covered numerous significant events, including the Challenger Disaster, Hurricane Andrew, and the Loma Prieta earthquake. In 1989, Brokaw was the first English-language broadcast journalist to report on the fall of the Berlin Wall, solidifying his status in the world of journalism.
Brokaw also conducted the first one-on-one American television interview with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Russian President Vladimir Putin, further demonstrating his influence. Following the live attack on the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, Brokaw, along with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, anchored coverage throughout the day and into the night, contributing significantly to the nation’s understanding of the unfolding events.
In 2002, NBC announced Brokaw’s retirement as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” after the 2004 presidential election, with Brian Williams succeeding him. He continued with NBC in a part-time role as an analyst, anchor, and producer of documentary programs. His final “Nightly News” broadcast was on December 1, 2004. Brokaw remained with NBC as a Special Correspondent and served as an NBC analyst during the 2008 presidential election campaign, also moderating the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. Since 2008, he has occasionally moderated “Meet the Press.”
In 2014, the Brokaw News Center opened on the University Studios Hollywood lot in his honor. Later that year, President Barack Obama presented Brokaw with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He gave a eulogy for former First Lady Nancy Reagan at her funeral in 2016.
Tom Brokaw’s Literary Works and Board Memberships
In addition to his journalism career, Tom Brokaw has also achieved success as an author. His most famous work, “The Greatest Generation,” published in 1998, earned him numerous awards and remains a best seller. In 2019, Brokaw released “The Fall of Richard Nixon: A Reporter Remembers Watergate,” documenting his experiences as a reporter and member of the White House press corps.
Brokaw also serves on the board of directors of several organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Rescue Committee, and the Mayo Clinic. He is a member of the Howard University School of Communications Board of Visitors and a trustee of the University of South Dakota, the Norton Simon Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, and the International Rescue Committee. These engagements contribute indirectly to Tom Brokaw’s net worth through networking and potential advisory roles.
Tom Brokaw’s Personal Life and Real Estate Investments
Brokaw has been married to author Meredith Lynn Auld since 1962, and they have three daughters. In 1989, Tom and his wife bought a ranch in Livingston, Montana, where they spend much of their time. Brokaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2013, and in December 2014, he announced that his cancer was in full remission.
Regarding real estate, in 1998, Tom and Meredith acquired a 56-acre estate in Westchester County, New York, for $4.25 million. They listed the estate for sale in June 2018 for $6.3 million but ultimately sold it at a loss in August 2019 for $4.25 million. At one point, the property was removed from the market and relisted as two parcels: one of 10 acres and another of 46 acres. During his peak at NBC, Brokaw spent weekends at the Westchester estate and weekdays at a Park Avenue duplex, which they sold in 2011 for $10 million. They still own another apartment on Park Avenue in New York City. For approximately three decades, Tom and Meredith also lived half the year on a 4,128-acre ranch in Park County, Montana, which they listed in June 2017 for $17.9 million and sold in 2019 for an undisclosed price. These real estate dealings also have affected Tom Brokaw’s net worth.
