Megyn Kelly net worth in 2024 has sparked the curiosity of many. As a top television personality, Kelly has become a well-known figure in both news and entertainment. Over the years, she has made her mark with her bold interviews and strong opinions, first on Fox News and later on NBC, before branching out into her own podcast and media ventures.
Let’s break down how Megyn Kelly has earned her wealth and built a successful career in the media world.
Megyn Kelly in Brief
| Full Name | Megyn Marie Kelly |
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1970 |
| Place of Birth | Champaign, Illinois, USA |
| Occupation | Journalist, Television Host, Author |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Spouse | Douglas Brunt (m. 2008) Daniel Kendall (m. 2001–2006) |
| Children | Yates, Thatcher, and Edward |
| Net Worth | $45 million |
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What is Megyn Kelly Net Worth in 2024?
Megyn Kelly, the renowned American commentator and media personality is estimated to have a net worth of $45 million as of 2024, according to Forbes. Her wealth is largely attributed to her long tenure at Fox News, her successful book, and her continued media ventures.
Megyn Kelly’s main source of wealth comes from her work as a television personality, author, and media entrepreneur. She earned a significant portion of her wealth through her role as a host on Fox News, where she worked for over a decade. During her time there, she was one of the highest-paid journalists, reportedly earning around $15 million per year at her peak.
In 2017, Kelly left Fox News and signed a deal with NBC, reportedly worth $18 million per year. Though her time at NBC was shorter than expected, it added to her overall wealth. Kelly also makes money through book deals, public speaking, and her podcast. She has written books like Settle for More, which further boost her income.
Overall, her earnings from television, book deals, and public speaking have contributed to her wealth.
Megyn Kelly’s Salary
Megyn Kelly was a top earner at Fox News with a salary of $8 million per year. She shared this high level of pay with others like Tucker Carlson.
When she moved to NBC, her income grew a lot. Her three-year contract was worth $69 million, which is about $23 million per year. Some reports say she earned between $15 million and $20 million a year there.
Megyn Kelly’s Early Life
Kelly was born on November 18, 1970, in Champaign, Illinois. Her father, Edward Francis Kelly, was a professor at the State University of New York at Albany. Her mother, Linda, was a homemaker. Kelly had an older sister, Suzanne, and an older brother, Pete. Her family is of Italian, German, and Irish descent.
She was raised Catholic. Kelly’s father passed away from a heart attack in 1985 when she was 15 years old. She also has a step-sister and step-brother from her mother’s second marriage to Peter Kirwan.
Kelly grew up in New York. She attended Tecumseh Elementary School in suburban Syracuse and then moved to Delmar, New York, where she went to Bethlehem Central High School. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1992 with a degree in political science. Afterward, she earned a law degree from Albany Law School in 1995.
Kelly began her legal career at the Chicago law firm Bickel & Brewer LLP. She co-wrote an article in 1996 for the American Bar Association’s journal, Litigation. Later, she worked at the law firm Jones Day for nine years, where she handled cases for clients like the credit bureau Experian.
Megyn Kelly’s Media Career
Early Career
Kelly started her career in Washington, D.C., working for WJLA-TV. She reported on big events like Supreme Court confirmations for Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s retirement, and presidential elections. She gained recognition for her reporting skills, and even CNN’s president admitted he wished he had hired her.
Fox News Career
Kelly joined Fox News in 2004. She appeared on Special Report with Brit Hume and hosted a segment called Kelly’s Court. She also contributed to The O’Reilly Factor and hosted America Live, a show that became popular, gaining over a million viewers regularly. In 2010, she co-hosted a New Year’s Eve Special with Bill Hemmer.
During the 2012 presidential election, Kelly made headlines for her on-air questioning of election results, directly confronting Karl Rove. This moment added to her reputation for bold reporting. In 2013, after returning from maternity leave, she began hosting The Kelly File, a top-rated show on Fox News.
Kelly sparked debate in 2013 when she discussed Santa’s and Jesus’s racial identities on The Kelly File. Her remarks drew criticism and satire from comedians like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. In 2015, she interviewed Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar about their son Josh Duggar’s misconduct, drawing high viewership.
In the 2015 Republican debate, Kelly questioned Donald Trump about his treatment of women. Trump criticized her professionalism, but Kelly stood by her work. The feud escalated when Trump skipped a debate she moderated. They later met to resolve differences, and Kelly interviewed him in a one-hour prime-time special, which received mixed reviews.
In 2016, Kelly revealed she had been harassed by Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, a claim that contributed to his resignation. She also worked on a comedy project, Embeds, about political reporters. That year, she was honored by Variety for her efforts to address child abuse and appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair.
NBC News
In late 2016, Megyn Kelly left Fox News after her contract ended. She moved to NBC News in early 2017, where she took on a triple role. Kelly became a host for a daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, a newsmagazine show, Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly, and worked as a correspondent for major news events. Her salary at NBC was reported between $15 million and $20 million per year.
In June 2017, Kelly interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. She also interviewed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Her talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, debuted in September 2017, but after a brief run, NBC decided to take it off the air.
In 2018, Kelly faced backlash after comments about blackface costumes on Megyn Kelly Today. She apologized, but NBC canceled her show in October 2018. Kelly’s contract was ended in January 2019, but she received a $30 million payout for the remainder of her deal.
In 2020, Kelly launched her media company, Devil May Care Media, and began a podcast called The Megyn Kelly Show. By 2021, it moved to Sirius XM, where it airs weekdays on the Triumph talk radio channel.
In 2023, Kelly teased a secret project with actors Danny Trejo, Roseanne Barr, and Adam Carolla. She revealed that she would star in Mr. Birchum, an adult animated comedy set to air in 2024. In December 2023, Kelly co-hosted the fourth Republican primary debate on NewsNation.
Megyn Kelly’s Personal Life
In 2001, Kelly married Daniel Kendall, an anesthesiologist. They had a Catholic wedding. They divorced in 2006. In March 2024, Kelly shared that she was going through the Catholic annulment process with Kendall.
In 2008, Kelly married Douglas Brunt. He was the CEO of a cybersecurity firm called Authentium. Later, Brunt became a full-time writer and novelist. They have three children: Yates, born in 2009, Yardley, born in 2011, and Thatcher, born in 2013.
All of their children were conceived through in vitro fertilization. The family lives in Connecticut during the school year and has a house by the water in New Jersey for the summer.
Kelly is a lifelong Catholic. She has supported conservative groups like Moms for Liberty. Kelly also has Raynaud’s disease. In 2022, Kelly revealed that her sister, Suzanne Crossley, passed away from a heart attack. Suzanne had struggled with addiction and left behind three children and a grandson.
Megyn Kelly’s Political Views
Megyn Kelly is an independent politically and has voted for both Democrats and Republicans. She has spoken about supporting drug legalization and accepting more legal immigrants. However, she has also expressed concern over Muslim immigration in Europe. After the Parkland shooting, she criticized the National Rifle Association and lawmakers for not doing more about gun laws.
In 2023, Kelly changed her stance on “preferred pronouns.” She went from supporting them to opposing them. She also began speaking out against transgender issues, especially criticizing figures like Dylan Mulvaney and the writers of Transformers: EarthSpark. She referred to Mulvaney’s behavior as a “mockery of womanhood.”
Kelly has had strong reactions to celebrities, like when she criticized Taylor Swift for endorsing Kamala Harris. Kelly said, “screw you, Taylor Swift,” for choosing a side in a heated election. Swift explained her choice was based on Tim Walz’s views on LGBTQ issues.
On November 4, 2024, Kelly spoke in Pittsburgh supporting Donald Trump just before the election.
Megyn Kelly’s Awards
In 2009, Kelly earned an award from Childhelp for her work as a Fox News anchor. She covered important topics like child abuse.
In 2010, Kelly got the Alumni Achievement Award from Albany Law School. It was for her 15th class reunion.
Kelly was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014.
In 2015, Kelly was honored with an induction into the Hall of Fame at Bethlehem Central High School. That’s where she went to school.
