Megyn Kelly Biography Megyn Marie Kelly born November 18, 1970 is an American journalist, attorney, political commentator, and media personality. She currently hosts The Megyn Kelly Show, a daily talk show and podcast on Sirius XM’s Triumph channel, with over 3.2 million YouTube subscribers. Kelly previously worked at Fox News from 2004 to 2017, hosting shows such as America Live and The Kelly File, and at NBC News from 2017 to 2018, where she anchored Megyn Kelly Today. In 2014, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Megyn Kelly Biography
Megyn Kelly was born on November 18, 1970, in Champaign, Illinois, USA. She is a producer and writer, best known for Embeds (2017), Mr. Birchum (2024), and Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly (2017). Kelly has been married to Douglas Brunt since March 1, 2008, and the couple has three children. She was previously married to Dr. Daniel Ronald Kendall.
Megyn Kelly Biography Details
Born | Megyn Marie Kelly November 18, 1970 (age 54) Champaign, Illinois, U.S. |
Other names | Megyn Kendall |
Education | Syracuse University (BA) Albany Law School (JD) |
Occupations | Talk show host political commentator |
Years active | 2003–present |
Employers | ABC (2003–2004) Fox News (2004–2017) NBC (2017–2019) SiriusXM (2021–present) |
Notable work | Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly Megyn Kelly Today The Kelly File America Live The Megyn Kelly Show |
Political party | Independent |
Spouses | Daniel Kendall (m. 2001; div. 2006) Douglas Brunt (m. 2008) |
Children | 3 |
Category | Biography |
About Megyn Kelly
Megyn Marie Kelly is an American journalist, attorney, political commentator, and media personality. She currently hosts The Megyn Kelly Show, a talk show and podcast that airs daily on Sirius XM’s Triumph channel and has over 3.2 million subscribers on YouTube.
- Born: 18 November 1970 (age 54 years), Champaign, Illinois, United States
- Spouse: Douglas Brunt (m. 2008), Daniel Kendall (m. 2001–2006)
- Education: Albany Law School (1995), Bethlehem Central High School (1988), Syracuse University
- Height: 68 m
- Siblings: Suzanne Crossly, Pete Kelly
- Parents: Linda Kelly, Edward Kelly
Early Life and Education
Born in Champaign, Illinois, on November 18, 1970, Kelly is the daughter of Edward Francis Kelly, an educator at the State University of New York at Albany, and Linda (née DeMaio), a homemaker. She has an older sister, Suzanne (1964–2022), and an older brother, Pete (born around 1965). Kelly is of Italian, German, and Irish descent, and was raised Catholic. Her father passed away in 1985 when Kelly was 15. She also has a step-sister and a step-brother from her mother’s second marriage to Peter Kirwan.
Kelly attended Tecumseh Elementary School in Syracuse, New York, before her family moved to Delmar, New York, where she attended Bethlehem Central High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1992, and a J.D. from Albany Law School in 1995.
NBC Contract Dispute
Kelly’s time at NBC ended after only one year, following controversy over her remarks on Megyn Kelly Today. Many speculated that she would lose the majority of her lucrative contract, but Kelly reportedly negotiated a substantial severance package. NBC reportedly offered her the full $69 million to leave, with some reports suggesting she also sought an additional $10 million for a confidentiality agreement. While the exact amount of her severance package remains unclear, it was reported to be around $30 million. This situation caused a significant uproar in the journalism world, as Kelly managed to walk away with millions despite her brief and controversial time at NBC. Additionally, she successfully bypassed a contract clause that would have restricted her from accepting offers from competing networks.
Career
Kelly transitioned into television journalism in 2003, beginning with an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C. She joined Fox News in 2004 and quickly became known for her legal expertise, hosting Kelly’s Court and frequently appearing on shows like The O’Reilly Factor. In 2010, she began hosting America Live, which was later followed by The Kelly File in 2013. This program became one of the network’s highest-rated shows. Kelly moved to NBC News, where she hosted Megyn Kelly Today and also contributed to Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. Despite her potential at NBC, her time at the network ended in 2018 following backlash over comments made about blackface during a Halloween segment.
Controversy
Kelly was no stranger to controversy, even during her time at Fox News. Her comments on The Kelly File, such as claiming Santa and Jesus were “white,” sparked outrage. In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential elections, she gained attention for her tense exchanges with Donald Trump, including moderating a debate where she criticized Trump’s temperament. However, her most significant controversy came during her tenure at NBC, when she suggested it was acceptable to wear blackface as part of a Halloween costume, which led to her departure from the network.
Personal Life
Kelly’s first marriage was to anesthesiologist Daniel Kendall in 2001, but they divorced in 2006. In 2008, she married Douglas Brunt, the president and CEO of cybersecurity firm Authentium. The couple has three children together. Kelly identifies as an Independent politically, stating that she has voted for both Democratic and Republican presidents in the past. She is also a lifelong Catholic.
Megyn Kelly’s Net Worth 2025
Megyn Kelly, a well-known television host and political commentator, has a net worth of $45 million. She began her career as a lawyer before transitioning to journalism in the early 2000s. Kelly gained fame at Fox News, where she worked from 2004 to 2017, hosting programs like America Live and The Kelly File.
Megyn Kelly’s Salary
At Fox News, Megyn Kelly reached a peak salary of $8 million per year, making her one of the highest-paid personalities on the network. However, her salary increased dramatically when she moved to NBC. Her three-year contract with NBC was valued at $69 million, roughly $23 million per year, although some reports suggest her annual salary ranged from $15 million to $20 million.