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Bill Whitaker: Age, Bio, Career & Net Worth

Bill Whitaker is a veteran journalist who has been working for CBS News for more than four decades. He is currently a correspondent for the acclaimed news program 60 Minutes, where he covers major stories from around the world. He has won several awards for his reporting, including two duPont-Columbia University Awards, a Peabody Award, and an Emmy Award. He is also known for guest-hosting the popular game show Jeopardy! in 2021.

Bill Whitaker Profile Summary

Name Bill Whitaker
Date of birth August 26, 1951
Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nationality American
Education Hobart College (BA), Boston University (MA), University of California, Berkeley (graduate journalism program)
Occupation Television journalist, 60 Minutes correspondent
Years active 1979-present
Spouse Terry Whitaker
Children Gail Whitaker, Lesley Whitaker
Net worth Estimated at $3 million

Who Is Bill Whitaker?

Bill Whitaker is an American television journalist who works as a correspondent for CBS News’ 60 Minutes. He joined the program in 2014 and has reported on various topics, such as the opioid crisis, the Syrian refugee crisis, the North Korean defector, the Notre Dame reconstruction, and the coronavirus pandemic. He has also interviewed prominent figures, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, sexual assault survivor Chanel Miller, and former police officer Betty Jo Shelby.

Before joining 60 Minutes, Whitaker worked as a CBS News correspondent in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Atlanta. He covered many domestic and international events, such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Haiti earthquake, the War in Afghanistan, and the funeral of Nelson Mandela. He also reported on many race-related issues, such as policing and civil rights.

Whitaker began his broadcast journalism career in 1979 at KQED in San Francisco, California. He then worked as a correspondent for WBTV in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 1982 to 1985. He joined CBS News as a reporter in November 1984.

Whitaker has received numerous honors for his journalism, including two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award, and the RTDNA’s highest honor, the Paul White Award for career achievement. He has also received honorary doctorates from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Knox College.

In 2021, Whitaker was one of the guest hosts of Jeopardy!, the popular quiz show that was hosted by the late Alex Trebek. He hosted 10 episodes that aired from May 3 to May 14, 2021.

How Old is Bill Whitaker in 2024?

Bill Whitaker was born on August 26, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is 72 years old as of 2023. In 2024, he will turn 73 years old.

Bill Whitaker Family Status

Bill Whitaker is married to Terry Whitaker, a media consultant and former news producer. They have been married for over 40 years and live in New York City. They have two daughters, Gail Whitaker and Lesley Whitaker. Gail is a filmmaker and Lesley is a teacher.

Bill Whitaker Relationship Status

Bill Whitaker is happily married to his wife, Terry Whitaker. They met in 1978 at the University of California, Berkeley, where they both attended a graduate journalism program. They got married in 1980 and have been together ever since. They have a strong and supportive relationship and share a passion for journalism and storytelling.

Bill Whitaker Biography & Career

Bill Whitaker was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Central High School, where he was a member of the chess team and the editor of the school newspaper. He developed an interest in journalism and history at an early age and decided to pursue a career in the field.

He graduated from Hobart College in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in American history. He then went to Boston University, where he earned a Master’s degree in African-American studies in 1974. He also attended a graduate journalism program at the University of California, Berkeley in 1978.

Whitaker’s broadcast journalism career began in 1979 at KQED, the PBS station in San Francisco, California. He worked as a producer, reporter, and anchor for the station. In 1982, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he became a correspondent for WBTV, the CBS affiliate. He covered politics and social issues in the region for three years.

In 1985, Whitaker relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he joined CBS News as a reporter. He covered stories from the South and the Caribbean, such as the space shuttle Challenger disaster, the Haitian coup, and the Cuban refugee crisis. He also reported on the civil rights movement and its legacy.

In 1989, Whitaker was assigned to the CBS News bureau in Tokyo, Japan. He became the network’s Asia correspondent and covered major stories from the continent, such as the Tiananmen Square protests, the Persian Gulf War, and the Cambodian peace process. He also traveled to North Korea, Mongolia, and Vietnam.

In 1992, Whitaker returned to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, California. He became a CBS News correspondent based in the West Coast and reported on various topics, such as the O.J. Simpson trial, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine shooting, and the Rodney King riots. He also covered natural disasters, such as the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, the Haiti earthquake, and the California wildfires.

In 2014, Whitaker was promoted to a correspondent for 60 Minutes, the prestigious news magazine program on CBS. He joined the team of veteran journalists, such as Steve Kroft, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, and Anderson Cooper. He has since reported on many important and diverse stories, such as the opioid epidemic, the Syrian refugee crisis, the North Korean defector, the Notre Dame reconstruction, and the coronavirus pandemic. He has also interviewed prominent figures, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, sexual assault survivor Chanel Miller, and former police officer Betty Jo Shelby.

In 2021, Whitaker was one of the guest hosts of Jeopardy!, the popular quiz show that was hosted by the late Alex Trebek. He hosted 10 episodes that aired from May 3 to May 14, 2021. He received positive feedback from the fans and the critics for his calm and professional demeanor.

Whitaker has received numerous honors for his journalism, including two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award, and the RTDNA’s highest honor, the Paul White Award for career achievement. He has also received honorary doctorates from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Knox College.

Whitaker is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Overseas Press Club. He is also involved in several charitable and educational organizations, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Center for Journalists, and the Harlem School of the Arts.

Bill Whitaker Height, Weight, and Body Stats

Bill Whitaker is a tall and fit man who maintains a healthy lifestyle. He stands at 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and weighs around 180 lbs (82 kg). His body measurements are estimated at 42-34-38 inches. He has black hair and brown eyes.

How Much Will The Net Worth Of Bill Whitaker Be In 2024?

Bill Whitaker has amassed a considerable fortune from his long and successful career as a television journalist. He has worked for CBS News for more than four decades and has covered many major stories, domestically and across the globe. He is currently a correspondent for 60 Minutes, one of the most watched and respected news programs in the world. He also guest-hosted Jeopardy!, one of the most popular and lucrative game shows in history.

According to various sources, Bill Whitaker’s net worth is estimated at $3 million as of 2023. He reportedly earns an annual salary of $500,000 from CBS News. His net worth is expected to increase in the future as he continues to work for 60 Minutes and pursue other projects.

Conclusion

Bill Whitaker is a veteran journalist who has been working for CBS News for more than four decades. He is currently a correspondent for 60 Minutes, where he covers major stories from around the world. He has won several awards for his reporting, including two duPont-Columbia University Awards, a Peabody Award, and an Emmy Award. He is also known for guest-hosting the popular game show Jeopardy! in 2021.

FAQs

Q: How did Bill Whitaker become a journalist?

A: Bill Whitaker developed an interest in journalism and history at an early age and decided to pursue a career in the field. He graduated from Hobart College with a Bachelor’s degree in American history and from Boston University with a Master’s degree in African-American studies. He also attended a graduate journalism program at the University of California, Berkeley. He began his broadcast journalism career in 1979 at KQED, the PBS station in San Francisco, California.

Q: What are some of the awards that Bill Whitaker has won for his journalism?

A: Bill Whitaker has received numerous honors for his journalism, including two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award, and the RTDNA’s highest honor, the Paul White Award for career achievement. He has also received honorary doctorates from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Knox College.

Q: What are some of the topics that Bill Whitaker has covered for 60 Minutes?

A: Bill Whitaker has covered topics ranging from politics and health to culture and environment for 60 Minutes. He has reported on the opioid crisis, the Syrian refugee crisis, the North Korean defector, the Notre Dame reconstruction, and the COVID-19 vaccine. He has also interviewed prominent figures such as French President Emmanuel Macron, sexual assault survivor Chanel Miller, and former police officer Betty Jo Shelby.

Q: How did Bill Whitaker become a guest host of Jeopardy!?

A: Bill Whitaker was one of the guest hosts of Jeopardy!, the popular quiz show that was hosted by the late Alex Trebek. He hosted 10 episodes that aired from May 3 to May 14, 2021. He was invited by the producers of the show, who were looking for people with credibility, respect, and intelligence to fill in for Trebek.