Shepard Smith Biography: Age, Height, Fox News Career, Partner & Net Worth 2026

Shepard Smith biography tells the story of one of America’s most trusted broadcast journalists, a former Fox News chief anchor from Holly Springs, Mississippi, known for straight-news reporting during major national events. Famous for hosting Shepard Smith Reporting and later The News with Shepard Smith on CNBC, his calm delivery and fact-first style made him stand out in cable news.

As of September 2026, fans still ask: where is Shepard Smith now, how old is he, who is his partner, and what is his net worth? This updated profile covers his age, height, early life, full career from local TV to Fox News and CNBC, personal life, earnings, and recent activity in 2026.

Quick Facts

If you follow American TV news anchors and broadcast journalists, names trending alongside Shepard Smith include Anderson Cooper, Chris Wallace, Bret Baier, Lester Holt, David Muir, Jake Tapper, and Tucker Carlson. Like Smith, many built long careers in cable and network news before moving into new roles in streaming, speaking, and independent journalism by 2026.

Early Life & Education

Shepard Smith was born David Shepard Smith Jr. on January 14, 1964, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA. His Shepard Smith biography begins in small-town Mississippi, where he was raised by his mother, Dora Ellen Anderson, an English teacher, and his father, David Shepard Smith Sr., a cotton merchant. His parents divorced when he was young, and his mother later moved with Shepard and his younger brother Benton to Florida.

Growing up, Smith was outgoing, curious, and interested in current events. He attended Marshall Academy in Holly Springs before finishing high school in Florida. Friends and teachers remember him as a strong speaker who loved debate and storytelling.

For college, Smith enrolled at the University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, in Oxford, Mississippi. He studied journalism and took classes in political science and English. During his time at Ole Miss, he worked for the student media and developed a passion for television news. He left college two credits short of graduation to take a reporting job in Florida, a decision that launched his career. Years later, Ole Miss recognized him as one of its most famous journalism alumni, and Smith has stayed closely connected to the university through donations and guest lectures.

Career Journey

Shepard Smith career spans nearly four decades, from small local stations in Florida to becoming one of the founding faces of Fox News Channel and later the prime-time anchor of CNBC. His path shows steady growth, major breaking-news moments, and bold career changes.

Beginnings in Local News: 1986 – 1995

Smith started in 1986 as a reporter in Panama City, Florida, at WJHG-TV. He quickly moved to WBBH-TV in Fort Myers as a reporter and anchor, then to WSVN in Miami and WCPX-TV (now WKMG) in Orlando. In Florida, he covered hurricanes, crime, politics, and the O.J. Simpson car chase era stories that taught him to handle live breaking news.

His clear voice, fast writing, and ability to stay calm on live TV caught the attention of national producers. By the mid-1990s, he was working as a correspondent for Fox affiliate service and covering national stories.

Fox News Channel Rise: 1996 – 2019

In 1996, Smith joined Fox News Channel at its launch. He was one of the original anchors who helped build the network. Early on, he hosted Fox News Now and covered major events including the death of Princess Diana, the Columbine High School shooting, the 2000 presidential election recount, and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

From 2002 to 2013, he anchored The Fox Report with Shepard Smith and Studio B, which became top-rated afternoon news hours. In 2013, his show was relaunched as Shepard Smith Reporting, airing weekday afternoons from the high-tech Studio D, known as the Fox News Deck. He also served as managing editor of breaking news and chief news anchor, leading coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Iraq War, the 2008 financial crisis, the Sandy Hook shooting, the Boston Marathon bombing, and presidential elections in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Smith earned a reputation for fact-checking in real time, even when it meant correcting guests or commentators on his own network. His coverage of Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans, where he openly criticized the slow government response, is still viewed as a career-defining moment.

Shock Exit From Fox News in 2019

On October 11, 2019, Smith announced live on air that he was leaving Fox News after 23 years. The move shocked viewers and the media industry. At the time, he had recently clashed on air with prime-time host Tucker Carlson and had been a frequent target of criticism from then-President Donald Trump for his straight-news approach.

Smith said he had asked the company to let him go and that it was time for a new chapter. Fox News praised his service. His final newscast drew wide attention and praise from fellow journalists, including those at rival networks.

CNBC Chapter: The News with Shepard Smith 2020 – 2022

After a non-compete break, Smith joined CNBC in 2020 as chief general news anchor. On September 30, 2020, he launched The News with Shepard Smith, a nightly 7 p.m. ET general news program focused on non-partisan, fact-based reporting. The show covered the 2020 election, the COVID-19 pandemic, the January 6 Capitol attack, and the war in Ukraine.

Despite strong reviews for journalism quality, ratings struggled in the opinion-driven cable landscape. In November 2022, CNBC canceled the program as part of a shift away from general news in prime time. Smith departed CNBC at that time.

Where Is Shepard Smith Now? 2026 Career Update

So what is Shepard Smith doing in 2026? As of September 2026, Shepard Smith has not returned to a full-time nightly anchor chair. After leaving CNBC in late 2022, he stepped back from daily cable news and has kept a lower public profile.

In 2026, his recent activity centers on three areas: independent journalism projects, public speaking, and philanthropy. He has appeared as a guest speaker at journalism schools, including the University of Mississippi and Columbia University, talking about press freedom, media trust, and election coverage. In early 2026, he moderated panels on misinformation and local news at media conferences in New York and Washington, D.C.

By 2026, Smith has also focused on charitable work, including support for LGBTQ+ youth organizations, journalism scholarships at Ole Miss, and hurricane relief efforts in Mississippi and Florida. He has turned down rumors of running for office or joining a streaming network full-time, telling audiences he enjoys freedom after 35 years of daily deadlines. While fans hope for a comeback show or podcast, Smith has said he will only return for the right non-partisan news project.

Career Stats and Major Shows List

• WJHG-TV Panama City (1986-1988): Reporter
• WBBH-TV Fort Myers (1988-1990): Reporter / Anchor
• WSVN Miami & WCPX Orlando (1990-1996): Reporter / Correspondent
• Fox News Channel (1996-2019): Senior Correspondent, Anchor of Fox News Now, The Fox Report, Studio B, Shepard Smith Reporting; Chief News Anchor and Managing Editor of Breaking News
• CNBC (2020-2022): Chief General News Anchor, Host of The News with Shepard Smith
• 2023-2026: Independent Journalist, Speaker, Philanthropist
• Major Events Covered: 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, Iraq War, 2000 Recount, Presidential Elections 2000-2020, COVID-19 Pandemic, January 6 Capitol Attack, Russia-Ukraine War

Personal Life

Shepard Smith personal life has drawn public interest, especially after he publicly discussed his sexuality and long-term relationship. Known as private off-camera, he lives in New York City and maintains close ties to Mississippi and Florida.

Family, Marriage and Divorce

Smith married his college girlfriend Virginia Donald in 1987 while attending Ole Miss. The marriage ended in divorce in 1993. They had no children together. Smith has rarely spoken about the marriage, saying they were young.

His parents were David Shepard Smith Sr., who passed away, and Dora Ellen Anderson. His younger brother Benton Smith works in healthcare in Mississippi. Smith is very close to his mother and has credited her teaching career for his love of reading and writing.

Partner and Relationship in 2026

In 2017, Smith publicly came out as gay at an Ole Miss journalism event, becoming one of the highest-profile openly gay cable news anchors. He revealed he had been in a relationship with boyfriend Gio Graziano since 2013. Graziano, a former Fox News producer, later worked in media production in New York.

As of 2026, Smith and Graziano are still together and are often described as engaged partners. They have been photographed at charity galas and Ole Miss football games. The couple does not have children but shares dogs and splits time between New York and Mississippi. Smith has said Graziano helped him feel confident to live openly.

Dating History and Affairs

Outside his marriage to Virginia Donald and his long-term partnership with Gio Graziano, Smith has not been linked publicly to other dating relationships. He keeps his dating history private and has asked media to respect his family life.

Hobbies and Community Involvement

Smith is a devoted Ole Miss Rebels football fan and often attends games in Oxford. He enjoys reading history and political biographies, running, and cooking Southern food. In 2026, he remains active in journalism education, funding a scholarship for broadcast journalism students and supporting the Committee to Protect Journalists and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

Awards & Achievements

• Multiple Emmy Award nominations for breaking news and live coverage
• Honored by the Radio Television Digital News Association for First Amendment leadership
• Named by The Advocate as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ people in media after coming out in 2017
• University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame inductee for journalism excellence
• Praised for landmark Hurricane Katrina coverage in 2005, widely cited in journalism textbooks
• Helped launch Fox News Channel in 1996 as an original anchor and built top-rated daytime news hours for over two decades
• Launched CNBC’s first prime-time general news show, The News with Shepard Smith, in 2020

Physical Statistics

Shepard Smith height is 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm), which often surprises viewers who expect TV anchors to be taller. His weight is around 165 pounds (75 kg). He has blue eyes and short gray hair, now salt-and-pepper after years of brown hair on Fox News. He wears tailored suits on air, usually with a classic tie, and wears glasses for reading. He maintains a fit appearance through running and gym workouts in New York.

Quotes

“Journalism is not about left or right. It is about finding the facts and reporting them without fear.”

“After 33 years, I have decided to leave Fox News. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve our viewers.”

“I am gay. I have been in a committed relationship for a long time, and I am happy. Truth will always win.”

Controversies

Smith’s fact-first style created tension at Fox News, an opinion-driven network. He frequently clashed with commentators and politicians. In 2017-2019, President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked him on social media, calling his newscast low-rated and biased, while Smith fact-checked Trump’s claims about immigration, hurricanes, and the Mueller investigation on air.

In November 2019, a public feud with Tucker Carlson drew headlines after Carlson mocked Smith’s legal analyst on air. Smith called Carlson’s attack repugnant. The incident fueled speculation about internal divisions that led to Smith’s exit weeks earlier.

His sudden 2019 departure itself sparked controversy, with supporters praising his integrity and critics accusing him of bias. Smith has said he has no regrets and stands by his reporting record.

Favorites

Shepard Smith Net Worth and Earnings in 2026

Shepard Smith net worth in 2026 is estimated at $25 million, according to industry benchmarks and entertainment finance trackers. His wealth comes mainly from long-term TV contracts, salary, and real estate.

At Fox News, Smith was one of the highest-paid news anchors. Reports placed his final Fox contract at $10 million to $15 million per year. At CNBC, his salary was estimated at $8 million to $10 million per year from 2020 to 2022. Over 23 years at Fox plus his CNBC deal, career earnings likely exceed $100 million before taxes and expenses.

In 2026, without a nightly show, his income comes from speaking fees, moderating fees, investments, and past savings. Top broadcast speakers can earn $50,000 to $100,000 per event. He also owns property in New York City and Mississippi. Unlike opinion hosts who sell books and merchandise, Smith has not published a memoir as of September 2026, which limits outside income but fits his private style.

Interesting Facts About Shepard Smith in 2026

• His full birth name is David Shepard Smith Jr., but he has used Shepard Smith professionally since college.
• He started his career earning less than $20,000 a year in small-market Florida TV.
• He was on air for Fox News during the 9/11 attacks and anchored for hours without a script.
• He once chased tornadoes and hurricanes as a field reporter in Florida in the early 1990s.
• He is left-handed and writes his broadcast scripts by hand before typing them.
• Despite fame, he does not run public personal social media accounts in 2026 and values privacy.
• He donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi School of Journalism to support students.

Did You Know Already?

Did you know Shepard Smith almost became a lawyer? He considered law school before choosing TV news. Did you know he worked as a wedding DJ in college to pay bills? Did you know his Katrina coverage led the city of New Orleans to praise him for pushing for rescue help on live TV? By 2026, many journalism classes still use his breaking-news clips to teach live reporting ethics.

Social Media Links

As of 2026, Shepard Smith maintains a very low social media profile and does not operate verified personal public accounts. Fans should beware of impersonator pages. Official network archives can be found through:

• Fox News on Facebook – archive of Shepard Smith Reporting clips
• CNBC on X (Twitter) – archive of The News with Shepard Smith updates
• CNBC on Instagram – past show highlights
• CNBC on YouTube – interviews and segments

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Shepard Smith biography shows a journey from small-town Mississippi to the top of American cable news through hard work and a focus on facts. From Fox News to CNBC and his quieter life in 2026, his age, career, partner, height, and net worth continue to interest loyal viewers. If you found this 2026 update helpful, please share it with fellow news fans and leave a comment below.

Sources: Fox News official statements, CNBC press releases, Associated Press reporting, People Magazine interviews