As of 2026, journalist, podcast host, and media entrepreneur Megyn Kelly has an estimated net worth of approximately $45 million to $50 million.
Kelly’s eight-figure fortune is the product of one of the most lucrative broadcasting trajectories in contemporary American news media. From commanding primetime dominance on Fox News and securing a historic $69 million contract with NBC to building a multi-million-dollar independent digital audio and video empire with The Megyn Kelly Show on SiriusXM, Kelly has successfully transitioned from a salaried network anchor into a fully independent media owner.
Net-worth figures are estimates based on publicly available information and may not reflect private assets, liabilities, taxes, or undisclosed financial arrangements.
Megyn Kelly: Quick Financial & Career Profile (2026)
| Metric | Details & Verified Data |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Megyn Marie Kelly |
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1970 (Age: 55 in 2026) |
| Birthplace | Syracuse, New York |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $45 Million – $50 Million |
| Primary Wealth Drivers | Network Television Contracts, NBC Exit Payout, SiriusXM Deals, Media Ownership |
| Peak Fox News Earnings | Reported $10M – $12M annually (with a $20M renewal offer) |
| Historic NBC Contract | 3-Year, $69 Million Deal ($23M/year); ~$30M+ exit buyout settlement |
| Current Media Venture | The Megyn Kelly Show (Devil May Care Media / SiriusXM Channel 111) |
| Book Advance | Reported $10 Million (HarperCollins, Settle for More) |
| Key Real Estate Asset | Historic Colonial Estate in Rye, New York ($4.35M purchase) |
1. From Corporate Law to Fox News Primetime Star
Before entering broadcast journalism, Kelly practiced law for nearly a decade as a commercial litigator at the prestigious international law firm Jones Day. Her transition to television began in 2004 when she joined Fox News as a general assignment Washington correspondent.
Kelly’s analytical sharpness and legal expertise quickly propelled her into high-profile anchor roles, including daytime broadcast America Live. In 2013, Fox News elevated her to primetime with The Kelly File, slotted between Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity. The program rapidly became the second most-watched show in all of cable news, routinely attracting between 2.5 million and 3 million viewers per night.
By 2016, Kelly was earning an estimated $10 million to $12 million annually at Fox. Ahead of her contract expiration in late 2016, Fox News reportedly offered her an unprecedented four-year contract extension worth more than $20 million annually in an effort to retain her flagship presence.
2. The $69 Million NBC Contract and Full Exit Buyout
In January 2017, Kelly made major media headlines by declining Fox News’s lucrative renewal offer to sign an expansive multi-year deal with NBC News. The contract was structured as a three-year agreement valued at $69 million—equivalent to an astronomical $23 million per year—making her one of the highest-paid journalists in television history.
At NBC, Kelly hosted Sunday evening newsmagazine Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly and the third hour of the network’s morning flagship, Megyn Kelly Today. While the programs generated intense national discussion, including high-profile interviews with figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin, internal friction and ratings volatility challenged the venture.
Following controversial on-air remarks regarding Halloween costumes in October 2018, NBC cancelled her morning program. After months of high-stakes legal negotiations represented by power attorney Bryan Freedman, NBC formally agreed in January 2019 to part ways with Kelly while paying out the remainder of her $69 million contract in full. This historic departure settlement delivered a reported lump sum and severance package estimated between $30 million and $38 million, securing the single largest liquid cash windfall of her career.
3. Independent Media Empire: Devil May Care Media & SiriusXM
Rather than seeking another salaried executive position at a rival cable or broadcast network, Kelly utilized her capital reserves to pivot into complete media entrepreneurship. In late 2020, she founded her own independent production company, Devil May Care Media, retaining 100% intellectual property ownership of her brand.
In September 2020, she launched The Megyn Kelly Show as an independent daily podcast and digital video broadcast. Recognizing the program’s massive audience traction, SiriusXM signed a premier broadcasting partnership in 2021 to air the live two-hour program daily on their Triumph channel (Channel 111).
In September 2023, SiriusXM announced a major multi-year contract extension ensuring Kelly’s show remains a central fixture of their political and news talk lineup through the 2024 presidential election cycle and beyond into 2026/2027. Supplemented by more than 2 million YouTube subscribers and hundreds of millions of video views, Kelly’s self-owned media operations generate significant seven-figure annual revenue through programmatic advertising, high-tier sponsorships, audio syndication fees, and premium subscription tiers.
4. Book Advances and Commercial Royalties
In 2016, amidst national attention following her moderating role in the Republican presidential primary debates, Kelly signed an elite, highly publicized book deal with HarperCollins. The publisher reportedly paid her an advance of approximately $10 million for her autobiography, Settle for More.
The memoir debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list, selling hundreds of thousands of copies and generating substantial residual royalties. Additionally, Kelly commands prominent five-figure speaker appearance fees for private corporate summits, legal conventions, and political forums.
5. Luxury Real Estate Holdings
Kelly has methodically anchored her wealth in high-end New York residential real estate:
- Manhattan Upper West Side Residence: For years, Kelly and her husband, novelist Douglas Brunt, owned a sprawling condominium overlooking Central Park at 255 West 84th Street. In late 2019, following her NBC departure, the couple sold the luxury property for approximately $9.4 million.
- Rye, New York Estate: In 2020, Kelly acquired a premier 10,000-square-foot historic colonial mansion set on multiple private acres in the exclusive coastal suburb of Rye in Westchester County, New York, for $4.35 million. Featuring luxury amenities, a swimming pool, and private broadcast studio facilities, the property has appreciated significantly in the regional real estate market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Megyn Kelly’s Net Worth
What is Megyn Kelly’s net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Megyn Kelly’s net worth is estimated between $45 million and $50 million, derived from network television contracts, her historic NBC buyout, SiriusXM partnerships, and ownership of Devil May Care Media.
How much did NBC pay Megyn Kelly to leave her contract?
When NBC and Megyn Kelly finalized their separation agreement in January 2019, NBC agreed to pay out the remainder of her three-year, $69 million contract in full, resulting in a reported exit settlement between $30 million and $38 million.
How much does Megyn Kelly earn from SiriusXM?
While specific terms of her multi-year contract extensions remain confidential, industry analysts estimate Kelly’s combined SiriusXM broadcast licensing and independent podcast advertising revenue at several million dollars annually.
What was Megyn Kelly’s salary at Fox News?
At the peak of hosting The Kelly File, Kelly earned an estimated $10 million to $12 million per year at Fox News, with the network offering her an estimated $20 million annually prior to her departure for NBC in 2017.