What was Roger Ailes' net worth and salary?
Roger Ailes was an American television executive with a net worth of $200 million at his death in 2017. He started his career in the television industry right after graduating from college, initially working as a production assistant on "The Mike Douglas Show." Over six years, Ailes advanced to producer and then to executive producer, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination. His impactful conversation about television's role with Richard Nixon led to Ailes becoming Nixon's Executive Producer of TV. This role marked the start of Ailes' long advisory career for Republican political figures, ultimately including Donald Trump.
In 1993, Ailes was named President of the financial news network CNBC. In 1996, News Corp President Rupert Murdoch invited him to lead the new Fox News Channel. Ailes served as President of Fox News Channel and Chairman of Fox Television Stations Group until 2016, when he was terminated following a sexual harassment scandal.
Roger Ailes' Fox News Salary
In June 2015, Ailes signed a new multi-year contract to stay at Fox News, extending beyond the expiration of his existing contract in 2016. From approximately 2004 to 2016, Ailes consistently earned $20 million annually, comprising $5 million base salary and the remainder in stock options and bonuses. Over this period, Ailes earned at least $240 million in total from News Corp before taxes. His contract also included security services for his family, access to a full-time driver, and the use of the News Corp corporate jet for business travel.
During Ailes' leadership, Fox News surged in popularity, especially post-September 11. Fox News became a significant profit center for 21st Century Fox, contributing 18% of the company's total profits in 2014 and generating around $2 billion annually in advertising revenue. Ailes was fired in 2016 after numerous allegations of sexual harassment led to internal investigations. Reportedly, Ailes received a $40 million severance package to step down from his positions. Roger Ailes passed away on May 18, 2017, at the age of 77. His wife, Elizabeth, revealed that Ailes was a hemophiliac, obese, and suffered from arthritis.
Real Estate Portfolio
Roger Ailes owned extensive real estate across the United States. In October 2016, he spent $36 million in cash on a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. This move offered a legal shelter since Florida law prevents courts from forcing the sale of homes to pay judgments, a benefit used by financially troubled tycoons. Ailes formerly owned a beachfront condo on Singer Island, sold in 2003 to Fox financial executive Neil Cavuto for $525,000. The mansion is about five miles from Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago resort. In New York and New Jersey, Ailes owned several properties, including multiple homes in Putnam County, NY.
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Early Life
Roger Ailes was born on May 15, 1940, in Warren, Ohio. He grew up in a working-class family and attended Ohio University, where he studied radio and television. Post-graduation, he worked as a producer for The Mike Douglas Show, a daytime talk show, and later served as a media consultant for several political campaigns, including those of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.
CNBC
In 1993, Ailes was hired by NBC to launch a new cable news channel, CNBC. Under his presidency, CNBC became a leading business news network. Despite his success, Ailes clashed with colleagues at NBC, leading to his resignation in 1995.
Fox News
Following CNBC, Ailes was hired by Rupert Murdoch to launch Fox News. As the founding CEO and chairman, Ailes turned Fox News into a highly influential and profitable network, recognized for its conservative commentary and political coverage.
Fall From Grace
In 2016, Ailes was forced to resign from Fox News amid sexual harassment allegations. Several women, including former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, accused Ailes of inappropriate behavior and fostering a hostile work environment. Although Ailes denied the accusations, he resigned, leading to departures of other notable Fox News employees such as Bill O'Reilly and Megyn Kelly.
Personal Life and Death
Ailes married three times and had one child. He was deeply involved in Republican politics and known for his conservative views. He authored books like "You Are the Message: Getting What You Want by Being Who You Are" and "The Fox News Factor: The Inside Story of Roger Ailes and the Rise of Fox News."
Ailes died on May 18, 2017, at 77, from complications due to a subdural hematoma after a fall at home. Despite his contentious legacy, Ailes is remembered as a pioneer in the cable news industry and conservative media.
