What is Shepard Smith’s Net Worth and Salary?
Shepard Smith, an American journalist and television news anchor, has a net worth of $30 million. He is best known for his 23-year tenure at Fox News (1996-2019), where he became one of the most recognizable figures in broadcast journalism.
- Annual Salary at Fox News: $10 million (peaked at $15 million before his departure in 2019)
- Current Salary (CNBC): Undisclosed, but likely lower than his peak Fox contract
Early Life & Education
- Born: January 14, 1964 – Holly Springs, Mississippi
- Parents:
- Father: Cotton industry businessman
- Mother: English teacher
- Education:
- Attended University of Mississippi, majoring in Journalism
- Dropped out two credits short of graduation
- Followed his mother to Florida after his parents separated
Broadcast Journalism Career
Early Career (Local News & Fox Entry)
- Began as a local TV reporter in Florida at NBC-affiliated stations
- Worked at Fox affiliate WSVN in Miami, hosting “A Current Affair”
- Joined Fox News in 1996, shortly after its launch
Rise at Fox News (1996-2019)
- Covered major stories:
- 1997: Death of Princess Diana
- 1998: Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial
- 1999: Columbine school shooting
- 2001: 9/11 attacks
- 2005: Hurricane Katrina
- Became one of the most trusted TV anchors in America
- Hosted top-rated programs:
- Fox Report
- Studio B with Shepard Smith
- Shepard Smith Reporting
- 2013: Promoted to Managing Editor of Fox News’ Breaking News Division
Exit from Fox News (2019)
- Clashed with Trump supporters and Fox’s opinion-driven content
- Became a target of Trump’s criticism
- Unexpectedly left Fox News in 2019
CNBC & NBC Career (2020-Present)
- 2020: Hired by CNBC as Chief General News Anchor
- Hosted “The News with Shepard Smith” (2020-2022)
- CNBC canceled the show in 2022
Salary History
- 2007: Signed $7.5M per year contract with Fox
- 2010: Extended for three more years
- 2013: Signed multi-year, $10M per year deal
- 2019: Was earning $15M per year before leaving Fox
Personal Life & Relationships
- First Marriage:
- Married Virginia Donald (1987-1993) (college sweetheart)
- Coming Out:
- 2017: Publicly came out as gay
- Long-term Partner: Giovanni Graziano (dating since 2012)
Real Estate & Investments
- New York Condo:
- Location: Greenwich Village, NYC (The Greenwich luxury building)
- Purchased for: $1.875M (2004)
- Listed for Sale (2011): $4M (later pulled off market)
- Re-listed (2017): $4.9M
Legacy & Controversy
- Known for:
- Serious journalism style
- Fact-checking Fox’s opinion-based segments
- Criticisms:
- Tension with Fox’s pro-Trump segments
- Criticized by Trump and Fox viewers
Final Thoughts
Shepard Smith is a respected journalist who built a multi-million-dollar career through hard-hitting news coverage and fact-based reporting. His departure from Fox News was a major shift in his career, and while his CNBC venture was short-lived, he remains one of the most trusted figures in television journalism.
