$12 Million
- Category: Richest Politicians › Republicans
- Net Worth: $12 Million
- Salary: $4 Million
- Birthdate: May 7, 1964
- Birthplace: Long Island, New York, U.S.
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Journalist, Television Host, Author
- Nationality: United States of America
What Is Brian Kilmeade’s Net Worth and Salary?
Brian Kilmeade is a television and radio political commentator, author, and co-host of “Fox & Friends” on Fox News. He has a net worth of $12 million and earns a salary of $4 million per year from his work at Fox News.
In addition to television, Kilmeade hosts “The Brian Kilmeade Show” on Fox News Radio and has authored multiple books, including historical novels and political commentaries.
Early Life and Education
Brian Kilmeade was born on May 7, 1964, in Long Island, New York. He is of Irish and Italian descent.
- Attended Massapequa High School, graduating in 1982.
- Earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Long Island University Post in 1986.
Kilmeade initially pursued a career in sports broadcasting before shifting into political journalism and television hosting.
Career
Early Career in Sports Broadcasting
Kilmeade began his career with Channel One News, a daily national television program for high school students.
- Worked as a correspondent for KHSL-TV in Chico, California.
- Hosted “The Jim Brown Show” on KLSD, an all-sports radio network.
- 1993: Provided commentary and post-fight interviews for UFC events, including UFC 2 and UFC 3.
- 1997: Moved to Hartford, Connecticut, working as a freelance sports anchor for WVIT (NBC affiliate).
- Covered Major League Soccer games involving the MetroStars.
- Worked as an anchor for NewSport, hosting the “NewSport Journal” and “Scoreboard Central”.
Fox News Career
Fox & Friends (1998–Present)
In 1998, Kilmeade became a co-host of “Fox & Friends”, Fox News’ flagship morning show.
- Initially co-hosted with Steve Doocy, later joined by various female co-hosts.
- The show has been a staple of conservative media, with frequent interviews with Republican politicians, including Donald Trump.
- Known for controversial and polarizing remarks on the show.
Radio Hosting and Weekend Programs
- 2006: Filled in for Tony Snow on his Fox News Radio show after Snow became White House Press Secretary.
- Began hosting “The Brian Kilmeade Show”, a nationally syndicated radio program.
- 2022: Launched “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade”, a weekend program on Fox News.
Controversies and Public Statements
Kilmeade has made several controversial remarks over the years that have drawn criticism.
Racially Charged and Offensive Comments
- 2009: Said Americans “marry other species and other ethnics”, claiming that Swedes and Finns had “pure genes” due to racial homogeneity.
- Later apologized for the remark.
- 2010: Claimed that “not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims”.
- Again apologized, stating that he misspoke.
Support for Donald Trump and Conservative Policies
- Strongly supported Trump during his presidency, frequently defending his policies on air.
- 2018: Defended the Trump administration’s family separation policy, saying the children “are not our kids”.
- The remark was widely criticized as insensitive and inhumane.
- Downplayed concerns over climate change and racial issues, aligning with right-wing narratives.
Turn Against Trump After January 6 Capitol Riot
- 2021: After the Capitol riot, Kilmeade privately urged Trump’s White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, to condemn the attack.
- 2022: Admitted that Trump should “learn to lose” and that there was no evidence of election fraud.
- This statement angered many Trump supporters.
Books and Publications
Kilmeade has written several best-selling books, including historical non-fiction and political commentaries.
Notable Books:
- “The Games Do Count: America’s Best and Brightest on the Power of Sports” (2004)
- “It’s How You Play the Game: The Powerful Sports Moments That Taught Lasting Values to America’s Finest” (2007)
- “George Washington’s Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution” (2013)
- “Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates” (2015)
- “Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans” (2017)
- “Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers” (2019)
- “The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America’s Soul” (2021)
His books focus on American history, often emphasizing patriotism, leadership, and military strategy.
Personal Life
- Married Dawn Kilmeade in 1993.
- They have three children: Brian, Kirstyn, and Kaitlyn.
- Resides in Massapequa, New York.
- Enjoys stand-up comedy in his free time.
Brian Kilmeade’s Financial Standing
Primary Sources of Wealth:
- Fox News Salary: $4 million annually.
- Radio Show Earnings: Additional revenue from “The Brian Kilmeade Show”.
- Book Sales: Multiple best-selling books have contributed significantly to his income.
- Speaking Engagements: Regularly paid for conservative events and conferences.
Net Worth Breakdown:
- Television & Radio: ~$8 million
- Books & Royalties: ~$3 million
- Investments & Miscellaneous: ~$1 million
Conclusion
Brian Kilmeade has built a lucrative career as a Fox News host, radio personality, and author, with a net worth of $12 million and a $4 million annual salary.
His career has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding race, Islam, immigration, and support for Donald Trump. Despite some criticism of Trump post-2020, Kilmeade remains a key conservative media figure.
With ongoing work at Fox News, radio hosting, and book publishing, his influence in right-wing media remains strong.
