Don Lemon Net Worth

Net Worth and Salary

Highlights

Don Lemon is an American journalist and television news anchor with a net worth of $20 million. He gained prominence as the former lead anchor and presenter for CNN, hosting “Don Lemon Tonight” from 2014 to 2022. Lemon won three Emmys for his work on the show and is considered one of the most influential African Americans and LGBTQ individuals in broadcasting.

Early Life

Don Lemon, born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, grew up in a Creole household. He was voted class president during his senior year of high school. In a candid on-air interview in 2010, Lemon revealed that he had been sexually molested at the age of five but didn’t disclose the incident until he turned 30. He attended Louisiana State University before transferring to Brooklyn College in New York, where he majored in journalism. During his college years, Lemon gained valuable experience by working as a news assistant at a Fox News affiliate station in New York.

Career

Before graduating, Lemon worked for various Fox News affiliates. He then became a correspondent for NBC in Philadelphia and Chicago, working for affiliate stations in Alabama, Pennsylvania, and St. Louis. Lemon eventually joined NBC News in New York City, appearing on shows like “Today” and “NBC Nightly News” and working as an anchor for “Weekend Today” on MSNBC. During this time, he won an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the D.C. area sniper and reporting on Hurricane Katrina.

In 2003, Lemon relocated to Chicago and started working at the NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV, where he won three Emmys as a reporter and local news co-anchor. In 2006, he joined CNN, where he became known for his strong views and at times controversial statements. Throughout his career, Lemon has received numerous death threats for his work with CNN.

However, on April 24, 2023, Lemon was fired from CNN after a series of controversies and ratings declines.

Personal Life

In 2011, Don Lemon publicly announced that he is gay. He revealed this in his memoir titled “Transparent” and disclosed the sexual abuse he had suffered as a child. Lemon had been open about his sexuality with friends, family, and close colleagues for many years before his public announcement. In 2017, he started dating Tim Malone, a real estate agent, and the couple announced their engagement in 2019.

Net Worth Over Time

Don Lemon’s net worth has grown steadily throughout his career. As of now, his net worth is estimated to be $20 million. However, his net worth has fluctuated due to factors such as his annual salary and any settlements he may have received. At the peak of his time with CNN, Lemon earned a salary of $7 million per year. In February 2024, CNN reportedly paid him a $24.5 million settlement after firing him. It represented the full amount he would have earned under his remaining contract.

Components of Net Worth

Don Lemon’s net worth primarily stems from his successful career as a journalist and television news anchor. Sources of income contributing to his net worth include his salaries from CNN and NBC, as well as any additional earnings from book sales or speaking engagements. Additionally, Lemon may have investments or assets that contribute to his overall net worth.

Overall, Don Lemon has built a substantial net worth through his influential career in journalism and television news anchoring. Despite facing controversies and challenges, he remains a prominent figure in the industry.

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