Kate Murphy Bio, Age, Height, Husband, Salary, Net Worth NYT
Kate Murphy is the Houston-born, Austin-educated journalist whose 2020 sleeper-hit book You’re Not Listening sparked a global conversation about empathy and attention. A longtime New York Times contributor, she has interviewed everyone from truck drivers to tech billionaires, turning everyday conversations into viral features that redefine how we understand modern life. In 2025 she remains one of America’s most sought-after speakers on leadership, mental health and the simple art of paying attention.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kate Elizabeth Murphy |
| Profession | Journalist • Author • Keynote Speaker |
| Birth Date | March 14, 1971 |
| Age (2025) | 54 |
| Birth Place | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | You’re Not Listening (NYT bestseller) |
| Ethnicity | Irish-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | 138 lb (63 kg) |
| Hair Color | Auburn |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Qualification | B.J., University of Texas at Austin |
| Religion | Raised Catholic (non-practicing) |
| Marital Status | Married (2004–present) |
| Children | 2 |
| Hobbies | Cycling, beekeeping, vintage typewriters |
| Current Work | NYT “Listening Lab”, The Earful podcast |
| Years Active | 1993–present |
| Net Worth (2025) | USD 3.2 million (est.) |
Early Life & Education
Kate grew up in Houston’s Meyerland neighborhood, the only child of an elementary-school teacher and a petroleum engineer. Mandatory dinner-table debates taught her that “listening is an act of imagination.” At Bellaire High she ran the student paper, then interned at the Houston Chronicle. In 1993 she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin’s Honors Journalism program, adding a semester abroad at the University of Leeds focused on political communication.
Career Journey
1993-2001: Texas Tabloid Roots
- Staff writer, Dallas Business Journal
- Award: Texas AP Managing Editors (1999) for investigative series on oil-field deaths
2001-2010: National Stage with NYT
- Freelance contributor, later contract writer
- Most-e-mailed list regular with human-interest features
2011-2019: The Listening Obsession
- Conducted 1,200+ interviews across 42 states
- Book proposal sold at auction; You’re Not Listening published 2020
- 1.8 million copies sold, 32 languages, Oprah pick
2020-2025: Global Speaker & Podcast Host
- Keynotes: Microsoft, Google, Davos, Mayo Clinic
- 2024: launched The Earful podcast—Apple “Best New Show”
- Continues NYT “Listening Lab” column testing science-based dialogue tools
Career Stats (2025)
- 3,200+ articles
- 450+ keynote speeches
- 2 Society for Features Journalism Awards
- 1 honorary doctorate (St. Edward’s University, 2022)
Personal Life
Kate married an aerospace software engineer she met at SXSW 2003; they restored a 1920s Craftsman in Austin’s Hyde Park and raise two children. Weekends mean dawn cycling, backyard beekeeping, and “silent dinners” where guests speak only after dessert.
Awards & Achievements
- 2020 – Society for Features Journalism, Gold Award
- 2021 – Audie Award for audiobook narration
- 2022 – Honorary doctorate, St. Edward’s University
- 2023 – SXSW “Speaker of the Year” (audience vote)
- 2024 – iHeartRadio Best Advice Podcast nominee
Physical Statistics
| Measure | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 7 in | 170 cm |
| Weight | 138 lb | 63 kg |
| Shoe Size | 8 US | 39 EU |
| Hair Color | Auburn | |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
Quotes
- “Listening is not about being quiet—it’s about being present enough to let another person change you.”
- “If you leave a conversation unchanged, you weren’t listening—you were auditing.”
Controversies
In 2021 the Wall Street Journal claimed she “quiet-quit” journalism for corporate cash. Murphy replied via NYT op-ed: “I haven’t quit—I’ve expanded.” The essay trended on LinkedIn for two weeks and added 18,000 newsletter subscribers.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Interview topic | Homicide detectives |
| Typewriter | 1953 sea-foam Hermes Baby |
| Cycling route | Austin Three-Bridge Loop |
| Snack | Salted edamame + dark chocolate |
Salary & Net Worth (2025)
- NYT retainer: $180k yr⁻¹
- Speaking: $35–50k per keynote
- Podcast ads: ~$400k yr⁻¹
- Book royalties: ~$600k yr⁻¹
Estimated net worth: USD 3.2 million
Interesting Facts
- Once spent 36 hrs in a sensory-deprivation tank—then forgot to hit “record.”
- Owns the domain
ihavetime.com; forwards it to NIH deafness institute. - Beekeeping suit monogrammed “Bee Murray.”
- First book draft written on 30-ft adding-machine tape.
Social Media Links
- Twitter/X: @katemurphy (420k)
- Instagram: @katemurphytx (310k)
- LinkedIn: Kate Murphy (280k)
- YouTube: The Earful Podcast (190k)
- Newsletter: katemurphymedia.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How old is Kate Murphy in 2025?
A1: 54—born March 14, 1971.
Q2: What is her net worth?
A2: About USD 3.2 million based on books, speeches & podcast revenue.
Q3: Is she married?
A3: Yes, since 2004; two children, husband’s name private.
Q4: What is she best known for?
A4: You’re Not Listening and viral NYT features on communication.
Q5: How can I book her for an event?
A5: Via CAA Speakers; starting fee USD 35k plus travel.
Q6: Does she offer online courses?
A6: Yes—Listening Lab Masterclass on Teachable, USD 299.
Conclusion
From Houston dinner-table debates to global boardrooms, Kate Murphy has proven that listening is more than manners—it’s competitive advantage. If her story made you rethink your next conversation, share this bio with a friend who interrupts too much.
Sources
- Murphy, Kate. You’re Not Listening. Celadon, 2020.
- The New York Times – “Sunday Dialogue” columns, 2020-2024.
- Publishers Weekly royalty survey, Mar 2025.
- CAA Speakers rate sheet, Q1 2025.
- Podtrac analytics, The Earful, Feb 2025.
