Net Worth: | $70.0 Million |
---|---|
Age: | 92 |
Born: | Oct 31, 1931 |
Gender: | male |
Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.778 m) |
Country of Origin: | United States of America |
Source of Wealth: | Journalist, Television producer, Writer, Presenter, Editor, Screenwriter, Film Producer, Actor |
Last Updated: | 2023 |
Introduction
Dan Rather is a renowned American journalist and former national news anchor. With a career spanning over five decades, Rather has made significant contributions to the field of journalism. As of November 2023, Dan Rather’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $70 million.
Dan Rather’s Net Worth, Career, and Success Story (2023 Update)
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Dan Rather was born on October 31, 1931, in Wharton, Texas. He grew up in Houston, where he attended Lovett Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and John H. Reagan High School. After completing his high school education, Rather pursued a degree in journalism at Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville.
During his college years, Rather gained experience in broadcasting by calling local football games for KSAM-FM radio. He also briefly attended South Texas College of Law before embarking on his journalism career.
In 1950, Rather started his journalism career as an Associated Press reporter. He went on to work for United Press and the Houston Chronicle, as well as several radio stations in Texas. His talent and dedication led to his promotion as the director of news at the CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV.
Hurricane Carla
Rather’s breakthrough as a reporter came in September 1961 when he covered Hurricane Carla for his first national broadcast on KHOU-TV. His reporting, which included television’s first radar image of a hurricane, played a crucial role in convincing over 350,000 people to evacuate the area.
This successful evacuation, the largest at that time, saved thousands of lives and brought Rather national recognition.
Start at CBS News
In 1962, Rather moved to New York City to join CBS News. He initially served as the chief of CBS’s Southwest bureau in Dallas and later became the chief of the Southern bureau in New Orleans. In November 1963, Rather was in Dallas when President John F.
Kennedy was assassinated, and he reported from the city during the period of national mourning.
Impressed by his work, CBS News management appointed Rather as the network’s White House correspondent in 1964. Over the next few years, he served as a foreign correspondent in London and Vietnam, covering significant events such as the Watergate scandal, the impeachment proceedings, and President Richard Nixon’s resignation.
Further Career at CBS
Rather’s career at CBS continued to flourish as he took on various roles and responsibilities. In 1981, he replaced Walter Cronkite as the anchor and managing editor of “CBS Evening News.” He held this position for 24 years, during which the show experienced fluctuating ratings due to emerging alternatives to television news.
Despite the challenges, Rather remained a prominent figure in journalism. He also hosted the newly created “48 Hours” in 1988 and co-anchored “Evening News” with Connie Chung from 1993 to 1995. Additionally, Rather served as a correspondent for “60 Minutes II” and made significant contributions to covering major events such as the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, the Iran-Contra affair, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Killian Documents Scandal and CBS Departure
In September 2004, Rather presented a controversial story on “60 Minutes II” that involved documents criticizing President George W. Bush’s military service record. However, it was later discovered that CBS had failed to authenticate these documents, leading to the story’s retraction.
This incident, known as the Killian Documents scandal, tarnished Rather’s reputation.
In 2005, Rather retired as the anchorman and managing editor of “CBS Evening News” but remained with the network. However, in 2006, CBS decided not to renew his contract and terminated his employment. Rather filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS in 2007, claiming that he was made a scapegoat in the Killian scandal.
The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a New York state appeals court in 2009.
Post-CBS
Following his departure from CBS, Rather joined Mark Cuban’s cable network AXS TV. He hosted and produced the weekly show “Dan Rather Reports” from 2006 to 2013. He also began hosting and producing “The Big Interview with Dan Rather,” where he conducts in-depth interviews with various figures in the entertainment industry.
Rather’s presence in the media industry extends beyond AXS TV. He has a 30-minute newscast on the YouTube news show “The Young Turks” and frequently appears as a guest on programs like “The Rachel Maddow Show” and “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.”
Personal Life and Accolades
In 1957, Rather married Jean Goebel, and they have two children together. His daughter, Robin, is an environmentalist and activist, while his son, Dan, works as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.
Rather’s contributions to journalism have been recognized with numerous accolades, including Peabody Awards and a lifetime achievement award at the Emmys. In 2007, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Siena College in New York.
Summary
Dan Rather, a prominent American journalist and former national news anchor, has had a remarkable career in the field of journalism. From his early beginnings as a reporter in Texas to his tenure as the anchor of “CBS Evening News,” Rather has covered significant events and earned recognition for his work.
As of November 2023, Dan Rather’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $70 million.