Wolf Blitzer’s Net Worth, Height, Age, & Personal Info Wiki

Wolf Blitzer has carved a niche in journalism, especially as a prominent T.V. news anchor with CNN. Over the years, he’s been at the forefront, reporting on pivotal global events from U.S. elections to intense international upheavals. When people tune into “The Situation Room,” they instantly recognize Wolf for his iconic beard and deep voice, sharp interviewing skills, and thorough reporting. With that, he is genuinely a respected name in the news industry.

Facts About Wolf Blitzer

Wolf Blitzer’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)

Wolf Blitzer’s Net Worth

As of 2023, Wolf Blitzer has an estimated net worth of $25 million. His profession as a respected T.V. News Reporter became his primary source of income. Blitzer gained recognition for his detailed reporting on the apprehension and subsequent trial of Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. Navy intelligence analyst accused of espionage for Israel. Notably, Blitzer was the first reporter to secure an interview with Pollard. This deep dive into the case culminated in Blitzer authoring a book titled, “Territory of Lies.”

With that being said, his other source of income is being an author, having published multiple books such as “Ask More: The Power of Questions to Open Doors, Uncover Solutions, and Spark Change,” “Lies That Matter: A federal prosecutor and child of Holocaust survivors, tasked with stripping U.S. citizenship from aged Nazi collaborators, finds himself caught in the middle,” “Between Washington and Jerusalem: A Reporter’s Notebook,” and many more.

Wolf Blitzer’s Personal Life

Wolf Blitzer married Lynn Greenfield in 1973. Lynn works as a personal shopper at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase and often accompanies Wolf on international assignments. They have a daughter named Ilana Blitzer Gendelman and live in Bethesda, Maryland. Before marrying Wolf, Lynn was previously married to Joseph Gandelman, the president of Bruce Gendelman Insurance Services, but they separated due to irreconcilable differences.

Wolf Blitzer’s Early Life

Wolf Isaac Blitzer, often simply known as Wolf Blitzer, was born on March 22, 1948, in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. He is the son of Cesia and David Blitzer, Polish Jewish refugees who escaped the horrors of Auschwitz, though tragically, many of their families did not. After World War II, under the 1948 Displaced Persons Act, the Blitzers moved to the U.S. and settled in Buffalo, New York.

Wolf grew up in Buffalo, attending Kenmore West Senior High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1970 and was part of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. He furthered his education with a Master of Arts in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University in 1972. During this time, he also studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, enhancing his knowledge of Hebrew.

Many are intrigued by his distinctive name, which seems tailor-made for television. Wolf’s explanation is rooted in family: his first name honors his maternal grandfather, while “Isaac” comes from his paternal side. The surname “Blitzer” has been in the family for generations.

Wolf Blitzer’s Career

Wolf Blitzer started his journalism journey in the 1970s with the Reuters news agency in Tel Aviv. In 1973, he became a Washington correspondent for The Jerusalem Post, thanks to editor Ari Rath. He reported for the paper up until 1990, focusing on U.S. politics and Middle East events. A fluent Hebrew speaker, Blitzer also wrote for Hebrew newspapers, using pen names derived from translations of his real name. In the mid-1970s, he edited the Near East Report for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), writing about Middle East topics and U.S. foreign policy.

At a 1977 press event, Blitzer’s question to Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat led to Sadat acknowledging the possibility of Egyptian visits to Israel after peace was established. Notably, Sadat visited Israel later that year, and Blitzer was on the frontline covering the groundbreaking peace negotiations between Egypt and Israel. Blitzer later penned his first book in 1985, titled “Between Washington and Jerusalem: A Reporter’s Notebook,” which dives into his experiences as a reporter and the U.S.-Israel relationship.

In 1986, Wolf Blitzer gained attention for reporting on the arrest and trial of Jonathan Pollard, a US Navy analyst accused of spying for Israel. Blitzer was the first to interview Pollard and later penned a book, “Territory of Lies,” about the incident. Pollard reached out to Blitzer because he felt the journalist would understand his perspective and help communicate it to Israelis and American Jews.

The interview raised eyebrows, as some believed it might have violated Pollard’s plea agreement which prohibited media interactions. Despite this controversy, Blitzer’s book earned a spot in The New York Times “Notable Books of the Year” for 1989 and received praise for its clarity and balanced critique of Israeli officials. However, The New York Review of Books offered a more skeptical take, leading to a public exchange between Blitzer and the reviewer. Pollard was eventually released in 2015, in line with sentencing guidelines from his trial.

Later, Blitzer joined CNN in May 1990, initially covering military affairs. His reporting during the first Gulf War brought him recognition and a CableACE Award. By 1992, he took on the role of CNN’s White House correspondent, serving until 1999. His profound coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 earned him an Emmy Award.

In 1998, he launched his Sunday morning show, “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer,” broadcast in over 180 countries. A year later, he began anchoring “The World Today.” He then got his own show, “Wolf Blitzer Reports,” which ran from 2000 to 2005.

Blitzer has been the go-to anchor for CNN’s U.S. presidential elections coverage since 2004. He started hosting “The Situation Room” in 2005, a role he’s maintained, though its format was reduced to an hour in 2021. Additionally, he anchored a show named “Wolf” from 2013 to 2018, which later transitioned to “CNN Right Now.”

In 2021, while Jake Tapper’s role at CNN grew, Blitzer focused more on documentary hosting and significant breaking news coverage. In 2022, he briefly hosted “The Newscast with Wolf Blitzer” on CNN’s streaming platform, CNN+, which unfortunately had a short run.

Net Worth of Other Notable TV News Reporters

Rachel Maddow’s

Rachel Maddow is a renowned American television host, political commentator, and author. Rising to prominence as the host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, she is recognized for her insightful dives into politics and her unequivocally liberal standpoint. Notably, Maddow holds the distinction of being the first openly gay anchor of a prime-time news program in the U.S. Outside of her television career, Maddow has penned several books, with “Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth” being one of her most notable works. Throughout her illustrious career in broadcasting, Maddow has been the recipient of numerous awards, solidifying her reputation as a significant figure in U.S. news journalism. As of 2023, Rachel Maddow’s net worth stands at an estimated $35 million.

Gayle King’s 

Gayle King, a celebrated figure in American television news, has garnered acclaim primarily as a host of “CBS This Morning.” Launching her media career in the 1970s, Gayle’s journey has been marked by her unique blend of tenacity and empathy, making her a standout in the journalistic realm. Beyond her professional endeavors, Gayle’s profound friendship with media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey has further cemented her prominence in American culture. Born in 1954 in Chevy Chase, Maryland, her passion for media overshadowed her academic pursuits in psychology. The early stages of her career in Baltimore serendipitously connected her with Oprah, marking the beginning of their enduring friendship. Despite facing occasional setbacks and controversies, like the 2020 interview concerning Kobe Bryant, Gayle’s unwavering commitment to her craft and authenticity continues to resonate with audiences. Gayle King’s net worth, a testament to her decades of dedication and success, stands at an impressive $72 million.