Roger Ailes Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What was Roger Ailes’ net worth and salary?

At the time of his death in 2017, Roger Ailes, an American television executive, had a net worth of $200 million. His career in the film and television industry commenced shortly after his college graduation when he was brought on as a production assistant for the local talk show “The Mike Douglas Show”. Over six years, Ailes advanced from production assistant to Producer and then to Executive Producer, receiving a Daytime Emmy nomination along the way. During a discussion on the function of television, he impressed Richard Nixon, leading to his role as Executive Producer of TV for Nixon. This marked the beginning of his extensive consulting career with numerous Republican politicians during election cycles, including future President Donald Trump decades later. Additionally, he ventured into theatrical productions with varying levels of success.

In 1993, he was appointed President of CNBC, a financial news network. By 1996, News Corp President Rupert Murdoch invited him to lead a new venture—Fox News Channel. Roger Ailes remained President of the Fox News Channel and Chairman of the Fox Television Stations Group until 2016, when he was terminated due to a sexual harassment scandal.

Roger Ailes Fox News Salary

In June 2015, Roger signed a multi-year contract allowing him to remain at Fox News for several years past 2016, when his original agreement was set to end. During his career’s height, particularly from 2004 to 2016, Ailes consistently earned an annual salary of $20 million, which comprised a $5 million base salary along with stock options and bonuses. Consequently, between 2004 and 2016, he garnered at least $240 million in total compensation from News Corp before taxes. His contract also included provisions for security services for his family, access to a full-time driver, and the News Corp corporate jet for business purposes.

Throughout his leadership, Ailes propelled Fox News to unparalleled fame and influence, particularly following the September 11 attacks. The network became a significant profit generator for the company, contributing 18% of 21st Century Fox’s total profits in 2014 alone. Annual advertising revenue peaked at around $2 billion. He was dismissed in 2016 after multiple accusations of sexual misconduct emerged from both current and former female Fox anchors. Ailes was reportedly offered a $40 million severance package to exit the network. On May 18, 2017, at the age of 77, Roger Ailes passed away. While the cause of death was not disclosed, his wife Elizabeth stated that he suffered from hemophilia, obesity, and arthritis.

Real Estate Portfolio

Roger maintained an extensive real estate portfolio across the United States. In October 2016, just a year before his death, he purchased a 10,000 square foot oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, for $36 million in cash. Moving to Florida full-time offered significant legal benefits, as state courts cannot compel the sale of a home to satisfy judgments, a law often utilized by troubled tycoons for real estate investments. Previously, Ailes owned property in Palm Beach County, including a beachfront condo on Singer Island, which he sold to Fox financial analyst Neil Cavuto.

The home, purchased for $525,000 in 2003, is located approximately 5 miles from Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago resort. In addition to this property, he owned multiple homes in Putnam County, NY, among various other real estate holdings in New York and New Jersey.

Early Life

Born on May 15, 1940, in Warren, Ohio, Roger Ailes grew up in a working-class family. He attended Ohio University, where he pursued studies in radio and television. Following his graduation, he worked as a producer for The Mike Douglas Show, a daytime talk program, and later became a media consultant for multiple political campaigns such as those of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush.

CNBC

Ailes was recruited by NBC in 1993 to establish a new cable news channel named CNBC. As the president of CNBC, he played a key role in transforming it into a successful business news network. Nevertheless, he encountered conflicts with his NBC colleagues and was ultimately compelled to resign in 1995.

Fox News

Following his resignation from CNBC, media mogul Rupert Murdoch brought Ailes on board to start a new cable news network called Fox News. As the founding CEO and chairman, Ailes significantly influenced Fox News, contributing to its status as one of the most influential and lucrative news networks globally. Under his guidance, Fox News garnered a reputation for its conservative commentary and its approach to contentious political matters.

Fall From Grace

In 2016, Ailes resigned from Fox News in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. Several women, including former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, accused him of unwanted sexual advances and fostering a hostile work environment. Ailes denied these claims, yet he was ultimately forced out of his position. This scandal also prompted the exits of several other notable Fox News personnel, including Bill O’Reilly and Megyn Kelly.

Personal Life and Death

Throughout his life, Ailes was married three times and had one child. He became a significant figure in Republican politics, well-known for his conservative beliefs. He wrote several books, including “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 passed away on May 18, 2017, at the age of 77 due to complications from a subdural hematoma, which resulted from a fall at his residence. Despite the controversies surrounding his legacy, Ailes is remembered as a pioneer in the cable news field and a forerunner in conservative media.