Katie Couric is a distinguished American television journalist, presenter, and author who has been at the forefront of broadcast news for decades. Couric started out in the late 70s and became well-known over time, most notably for being on the “Today” show on NBC for 15 years, where people loved her style and how she talked with guests.
In 2006, she switched to CBS and became the first woman to run her evening news show with “CBS Evening News.” Katie covered big news stories and talked to important people worldwide throughout her career. She also cares a lot about raising awareness for cancer because it’s affected her family.
Content of this Article
- Facts about Katie Couric
- Katie Couric’s Appearance
- Katie Couric’s Net Worth
- Katie Couric’s Personal Life
- Katie Couric’s Career
- Katie Couric’s Advocacies
Facts About Katie Couric
| Nationality | American |
| Estimate Net Worth | $115 million |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Arlington, Virginia |
| Birthday | January 7, 1957 |
Katie Couric’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Green |
| Body Type | Average |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Katie Couric’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Katie Couric’s net worth is estimated to be $115 million. Her profession as a TV news reporter is her primary source of income. Couric founded her own media company and has a daily newsletter called “Wake Up Call.” She also was Yahoo’s main news anchor from 2013 to 2017.
Moreover, Couric has worked for big US TV networks like NBC, CBS, and ABC and was even a guest host on “Jeopardy!” in 2021, making her its first female host. Besides news, she had a talk show named “Katie” and wrote a bestselling book in 2011. In 2004, she was added to the Television Hall of Fame.
Katie Couric’s Personal Life
Katie Couric is married to John Molner. They tied the knot in 2014 in a small ceremony in her backyard in East Hampton. The now-married couple got engaged in 2013 after dating for two years. Both of their kids participated in the ceremony with readings and songs. They celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary in June 2023 as Katie shared loving photos on Instagram, and Molner also expressed his happiness.
Molner graduated from Trinity College and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He worked with Brown Brothers Harriman for over 32 years. He retired in 2014 but still advises the firm. He has two kids, Henry and Allie, from a previous marriage.
In 2018, the couple co-founded “Katie Couric Media,” in which Molner is the CEO. Katie spoke about the venture on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in 2022, emphasizing their complementary skills. Katie was also married lawyer Jay Monahan in 1989. They had two daughters: Ellie in 1991 and Carrie in 1996. Jay sadly passed away from cancer in 1998.
Katie Couric’s Early Life
Katherine Anne Couric, famously known as Katie Couric, was born in Arlington, Virginia, on January 7, 1957. Her parents were Elinor, a homemaker and part-time writer, and John, who worked in public relations and news. Katie has a mixed ancestry, with her mother being of Jewish descent. She was raised Presbyterian and once traced her family roots back to a French orphan who moved to the U.S. in the 1800s.
Her sister, Emily, a state senator, passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2001. Katie has two other siblings: Clara and John Jr. In 2021, she mentioned that she’s related to U.S. President William Henry Harrison on a show.
Katie went to local schools in Arlington, which are Jamestown Elementary, Williamsburg Middle School, and Yorktown High School, and was a cheerleader in high school. Later, she studied at the University of Virginia, got involved in the university newspaper, and graduated in 1979 with a degree in American Studies.
Katie Couric’s Career
Katie Couric started her news career in 1979 with ABC News in D.C. and later worked for CNN and several TV stations. In 1989, she joined NBC News and became primarily known for her “Today” show role. She filled in for other NBC news programs and often hosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Couric interviewed many important figures, from US presidents to global celebrities.
In 2006, she made a big move to CBS to anchor the “CBS Evening News,” becoming the first solo female anchor of a major evening news program. Despite some ups and downs in ratings, the program won notable awards under her leadership. She also led coverage of major events, like elections and the BP oil spill. Katie has even interviewed global leaders and celebrities, from Presidents like Barack Obama and George W. Bush to stars like Michael J. Fox. She covered significant events like the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 royal wedding. In 2011, Couric left CBS, marking the end of an era.
She likewise became a correspondent for “60 Minutes” and first interviewed pilot Chesley Sullenberger after his heroic “Miracle on the Hudson” landing. She also interviewed key figures like Valerie Plame and Robert Gates. In 2008, her interviews with vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin garnered significant attention, leading to Couric receiving the Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence.
At CBS, Couric led two significant report series: “Children of the Recession” and “Where America Stands.” She also hosted a weekly interview show on CBSNews.com with guests ranging from Glenn Beck to Michelle Obama. Between 2011 and 2013, Couric worked with ABC News. She co-anchored the tenth-anniversary coverage of 9/11 and conducted prominent interviews, like one with Lady Gaga on Thanksgiving. She anchored specials, much like Barbara Walters, and created “The Year with Katie Couric,” recapping major events of the year.
In 2011, ABC signed Couric for a record $40-million contract for a talk show called “Katie,” which started in September 2012. The show intertwined with ABC News, featuring various ABC colleagues. The show was renewed for a second season in 2013 but was canceled later that year due to low ratings. In 2013, Marissa Mayer, the boss of Yahoo!, hired Katie Couric to be the face of Yahoo! News. Couric started this job in 2014. She interviewed big names like Robert Gates and John Kerry. In 2015, Yahoo! News and ABC News started working more closely, making Couric part of ABC’s team too.
In her book “Going There,” Couric mentioned she changed an interview with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, cutting parts where Ginsburg criticized NFL players for kneeling during the anthem. Couric said she did it to protect Ginsburg. In 2017, after a company change at Yahoo!, Couric chose to work on specific projects only and focused more on her production company.
Many people called Couric “America’s Sweetheart” because she was on “The Today Show” for a long time. In 2003, she even hosted “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” for a day, and a lot more people watched. She had many TV appearances and voiced a character in the movie “Shark Tale.” She also had roles in movies like “Austin Powers in Goldmember” and appeared in TV shows like “Murphy Brown” and “Will & Grace.”
She has spoken at several university graduations and has been given honorary degrees. Couric has worked to raise awareness about colon cancer and even received a special degree for this work in 2010. In 2011, she spoke at Boston University’s graduation and was given an honorary degree. She’s also been part of shows like “Sesame Street” and “Glee.”
Meanwhile, Couric wrote two kids’ books, “The Brand New Kid” (2000) and “The Blue Ribbon Day” (2004), both illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. “The Brand New Kid” was a hit and even turned into a musical in 2006. In 2011, she released “The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives,” featuring advice from famous folks. The book’s profits go to Scholarship America.
In 2013, Couric faced criticism for a segment on the HPV vaccine that some felt was anti-vaccine. She later admitted some of the criticism was valid. During the 2010s, Couric was involved in film, producing and narrating documentaries like “Fed Up” (2014) on obesity and “Under the Gun” (2016) on gun violence. The latter faced controversy over a misleading edit, which Couric acknowledged.
She founded “Katie Couric Media” in 2015, partnering with National Geographic on documentaries. She even had a show, “America Inside Out with Katie Couric,” on National Geographic in 2018. Furthermore, she has memberships with the Council on Foreign Relations and the Peabody Awards board of directors. In 2019, she produced the Netflix crime series “Unbelievable.” She also guest-hosted “Jeopardy!” in early 2021 after Alex Trebek’s passing.
Katie Couric’s Advocacies
In June 2022, Katie Couric shared that she had breast cancer, found during a regular check. She had surgery in July and started radiation in September. Katie has also been vocal about colon cancer awareness since her first husband passed away from it. In 2000, she even had a colonoscopy on live TV, leading many others to get tested too. In 2005, she showcased her mammogram on TV to raise breast cancer awareness. She’s also been involved in the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer campaign.
Katie has been honored by various organizations for her work in raising awareness for multiple diseases, like the 2004 Multiple Myeloma Research event and the American Cancer Society Discovery Ball. In 2011, she became a significant figure for a national Parkinson’s disease campaign, a cause close to her heart as her father passed away from Parkinson’s complications that same year.
Net Worth of Other Notable TV News Reporters
Erin Burnett’s Net Worth
Erin Burnett, a prominent figure in TV journalism, is best known for her anchor role on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” where she delves into international news stories. Before her prominent position at CNN, Burnett enhanced her reputation at CNBC, co-anchoring “Squawk on the Street” and hosting “Street Signs.” She is renowned for her deep analysis and engaging storytelling, having reported from numerous global locations and interacting with influential world figures, from leaders to top CEOs. Her dedication and expertise in the realm of journalism have not only garnered her immense respect but have also substantially contributed to Erin Burnett’s net worth, which is estimated to be $20 million as of 2023.
Sean Hannity’s Net Worth
Sean Hannity is a prominent conservative media figure renowned for his television show on Fox News and his radio program, “The Sean Hannity Show.” Starting his broadcasting journey as a volunteer radio host in the late 1980s, Hannity quickly rose to prominence with his unapologetically conservative stance on numerous issues, leading him to become a staple on Fox News. His close ties and unwavering support for Donald Trump have solidified his position as a leading conservative commentator, though this alignment has also been a source of many controversies. Aside from his media roles, Hannity is also a successful author, with multiple bestsellers under his belt. Such a multifaceted career and presence in the media landscape have significantly contributed to Sean Hannity’s net worth, which is estimated at $350 million as of 2023.