What Is Tom Brokaw's Net Worth and Salary?
Tom Brokaw, an esteemed American television journalist and author, boasts an impressive net worth of $85 million. Renowned for his role as the lead anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News" from 1982 to 2004, Brokaw's career is a testament to his journalistic excellence.
Salary and Contracts
In 1997, Brokaw inked a significant five-year contract worth $7 million with NBC, equivalent to $11.4 million today. Following that, he extended his tenure with a three-year extension, leading to a major 10-year contract post-2004 to produce documentaries and series. While the exact terms of subsequent extensions remain undisclosed, it is estimated that his annual salary settled around $5 million.
Early Life
Born Thomas John Brokaw on February 6, 1940, in Webster, South Dakota, Tom is the eldest son of Jean and Anthony Brokaw. He attended Yankton Senior High School, where he served as governor of the South Dakota American Legion Boys State. He later joined the University of Iowa, but subsequently transferred to the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Early Career
Brokaw's career began at KITV in Sioux City, Iowa, followed by stints in Nebraska and Georgia. In 1966, he joined NBC News, starting as an 11 p.m. news anchor at KNBC in Los Angeles. His career witnessed a pivotal moment when NBC promoted him to White House correspondent just before the Watergate scandal. Interestingly, he was once offered the press secretary role in Nixon's White House, which he declined.
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"NBC Nightly News"
On April 5, 1982, Brokaw began co-anchoring "NBC Nightly News". By September 1983, he became the sole anchor. During his tenure, he covered monumental events including the Challenger Disaster, Hurricane Andrew, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall. On September 11, 2001, Brokaw, along with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer, provided continuous coverage of the attacks. Brokaw's poignant declaration, "This is war," resonated deeply with audiences. He remained an influential figure until his retirement in December 2004, leaving behind a legacy of trust and integrity in news reporting.
Later Career
Post-retirement, Brokaw continued contributing to NBC as a Special Correspondent. He was an analyst during the 2008 presidential elections and moderated the debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. In 2011, he hosted "The Boys in the Hall" on Fox Sports Net. The Brokaw News Center at the University Studios Hollywood was named in his honor in 2014, the same year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.
"The Greatest Generation"
Tom Brokaw, also an accomplished author, has written ten books. His 1998 release, "The Greatest Generation," stands out as a perennial bestseller. In 2019, he recounted his journalistic experiences in "The Fall of Richard Nixon: A Reporter Remembers Watergate." Brokaw also plays a significant role in numerous prestigious organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Museum of Natural History.
Personal Life
Tom Brokaw married Meredith Lynn Auld in 1962. Together, they have three daughters. The couple purchased a ranch in Livingston, Montana, in 1989. In 2013, Brokaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, but fortunately, his cancer went into full remission by December 2014.
Real Estate
In 1998, Tom and Meredith acquired a 56-acre estate in Westchester County, New York, for $4.25 million, which they sold at the same price in 2019 after listing it for $6.3 million. During his peak at NBC, Brokaw also spent time at a Park Avenue duplex, which they sold for $10 million in 2011. For almost three decades, they lived part-time on a 4,128-acre ranch in Montana, selling it in 2019 for an undisclosed amount.
