What is Connie Chung's Net Worth and Salary?
Connie Chung, a renowned Chinese American journalist, boasts a net worth of $80 million, combined with her husband, Maury Povich. Married since 1984, they have three children, including one adopted son.
Chung has worked across major news networks including ABC, CNN, NBC, MSNBC, and CBS. Her notable interviews span politicians like Gary Condit and public figures like Magic Johnson. However, controversial interviews, such as those with Newt Gingrich's mother and a fireman post-Oklahoma City bombing, led to her exit as co-anchor of 'CBS Evening News.'
Chung's career extends to academia, as she has been a visiting professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in 1946 in Washington, D.C., Connie Chung was the youngest of ten children. Her family emigrated from China less than a year before her birth, with her father having served as a Chinese Nationalist Government intelligence officer. Chung attended Montgomery Blair High School in Maryland and earned a BA in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1969.
During the early '70s, amid the Watergate scandal, Chung served as a Washington correspondent for 'CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite.' She later anchored evening newscasts for KNXT in Los Angeles and delivered primetime news updates through 'CBS Newsbreak.'
Career at NBC
Chung returned to network news in 1983, anchoring 'NBC News at Sunrise' and the Saturday edition of 'NBC Nightly News.' She co-hosted newsmagazines '1986' and 'American Almanac' alongside Roger Mudd.
CBS and Controversies
Joining CBS in 1989, Chung hosted 'Saturday Night with Connie Chung,' later renamed 'Face to Face with Connie Chung.' She co-anchored the 'CBS Sunday Evening News' in 1993 and hosted 'Eye to Eye with Connie Chung,' gaining notoriety for controversial interviews, such as the one with Newt Gingrich's mother in early 1995.
Career at ABC
In 1997, Chung moved to ABC News, co-hosting '20/20' with Charles Gibson. She also guest-hosted 'Good Morning America' and conducted a famous interview with US Representative Gary Condit in 2001 on 'Primetime Thursday.'
Career at CNN
Chung briefly hosted 'Connie Chung Tonight' on CNN, which saw mixed reviews and was suspended during the Iraq War in 2003, leading to its eventual cancellation.
MSNBC
In 2006, Chung and Maury Povich co-hosted 'Weekends with Maury and Connie.' The show was canceled months later, with Chung's farewell performance attracting significant attention.
Style of Interview
Connie Chung's interview style blends gentleness with incisiveness, making her a preferred interviewer for controversial figures. She was softer than some peers, securing interviews with individuals like Claus von Bülow and Magic Johnson following his HIV diagnosis.
Personal Life
Chung has been married to talk show host Maury Povich since 1984. She converted to Judaism upon marriage and actively practices her faith, maintaining a kosher lifestyle. The couple adopted their son Matthew in 1995.
Chung also held a teaching fellowship at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 2006, where she authored a discussion paper on exclusive primetime interviews.
Real Estate
In 2009, Chung and Povich reportedly purchased a $9 million house in Washington, D.C.'s Kalorama neighborhood. The 12,500-square-foot property features luxury amenities, including a pool, koi pond, gazebo, and rooftop terrace with city views. They also own a ranch in Bigfork, Montana, where they spend significant time each year.
