William James O’Reilly Jr. (born September 10, 1949) is an American conservative commentator, journalist, author, and television host. O’Reilly’s broadcasting career began in the late 1970s and 1980s, reporting for local stations, CBS News, and ABC News, earning two Emmy Awards and two National Headliner Awards.
He anchored Inside Edition from 1989 to 1995 and hosted The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News from 1996 to 2017, the highest-rated cable news show for 16 years. O’Reilly co-authored bestselling books, including Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy. In 2017, he was dismissed from Fox News due to sexual misconduct settlements. He now hosts No Spin News.
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Bill O’Reilly Net Worth
Bill O’Reilly has a net worth of $85 million. He is best known for hosting “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News from 1996 to 2017, earning an annual salary of $25 million at the peak of his career. After his departure, he was replaced by Tucker Carlson, who later grew his viewership but was paid a fraction of O’Reilly’s salary and was fired in 2023.
O’Reilly also received a $25 million settlement from Fox News. Outside of TV, O’Reilly has written over 15 books, including the bestselling “Culture Warrior”. He now hosts the “No Spin News” podcast.
Early life
William James O’Reilly Jr. was born on September 10, 1949, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan to William James Sr. and Winifred Angela (née Drake) O’Reilly. He is of Irish descent with some English ancestry. The family lived in Fort Lee, New Jersey, before moving to Levittown on Long Island in 1951.
O’Reilly attended St. Brigid and Chaminade High School. He later attended Marist College, where he majored in history and studied abroad at Queen Mary College. O’Reilly earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1971 and his Master of Arts in broadcast journalism from Boston University in 1973. He also attended Harvard University in 1995.
Career
Bill O’Reilly began his television news career at WNEP-TV in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he reported and anchored, occasionally covering the weather. He worked at several stations, including WFAA-TV in Dallas, KMGH-TV in Denver, KATU in Portland, WFSB in Hartford, WNEV-TV (now WHDH-TV) in Boston, and WCBS-TV in New York.
O’Reilly won two local Emmy Awards, one for covering a skyjacking and another for investigating corrupt city marshals. In 1982, he worked as a CBS News correspondent. After delivering a eulogy in 1986, he joined ABC News.
Personal life
Bill O’Reilly is a Catholic. He was married to Maureen E. McPhilmy, a public relations executive, whom he met in 1992. They married on November 2, 1996, at St. Brigid Parish in Westbury, New York. They have a daughter, Madeline (b. 1998), and a son, Spencer (b. 2003).
The couple separated on April 2, 2010, and divorced on September 1, 2011. In 2015, court transcripts revealed an allegation of domestic violence, which O’Reilly denied. In 2016, he lost a bid for sole custody of his children.
How many killing books did Bill O Reilly write?
Bill O’Reilly wrote 13 books in his Killing Series, which focuses on the true events surrounding the deaths and destruction of some of history’s most influential figures and powerful nations. The series was created and voted on by Goodreads members.
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Conclusion
Bill O’Reilly’s career in broadcasting and as an author has been both successful and contentious. His ability to amass wealth through his various endeavors, despite the controversies, underscores his influence and standing in the world of news and media.
FAQs about Bill O’Reilly’s Net Worth
- How has Bill O’Reilly accumulated his net worth? – O’Reilly’s net worth has been primarily built through his successful career in television broadcasting, his bestselling books, and various media appearances.
- What are some of Bill O’Reilly’s most successful books? – O’Reilly has authored several bestselling books, many of which are historical narratives and political commentaries, contributing significantly to his wealth.
- How did Bill O’Reilly’s tenure at Fox News affect his net worth? – His long-running show “The O’Reilly Factor” was a major revenue source, significantly boosting his earnings and net worth.
- What impact did the sexual misconduct allegations have on O’Reilly’s career? – The allegations led to his ousting from Fox News and affected his public image, but his financial standing remains substantial due to his accumulated wealth.
- Has Bill O’Reilly been involved in other media ventures post-Fox News? – Post-Fox News, O’Reilly has continued to earn through his podcast “No Spin News,” public speaking tours, and continued book sales.
