Bill O’Reilly, one of the most popular faces inAmerican media. The television presenter, presenter, journalist and newspaper columnist began his broadcasting career as early as the late 1970s and early 1980s. During his career, which spanned almost four decades, he worked with so many media companies and has anchored several TV shows., interviewed many important personalities, wrote articles and wrote several books.
Bill’s life and career have also been marred by allegations of sexual harassment. An investigative report published by the New York Times revealed that the famous TV presenter spent an estimated $50 million settling several women who accused him of sexual harassment. FOX News in 2017 fired him for his numerous involvements in various harassment cases. Here’s everything you need to know about the TV icon.
A brief biography
Bill was born on September 10, 1949 in New York, William James O’Reilly Jr. to William James Sr. and Winifred Angela (née Drake). His father was from Brooklyn and his mother from Teaneck, New Jersey. His ancestry is Irish with a mixture of English (American Colonial).
His family lived in a small apartment in FortLee until 1951, when they moved to Levittown, Long Island. He has a sister, named Janet. O’Reilly was born into a Catholic family. He therefore began his education at St. Brigid’s Parish School – a private Catholic school in Westbury, New York, and then at Chaminade High School, a private high school for boys located in Mineola.
After high school in 1967, Bill then attended Marist College where he wrote for the college newspaper, Circle. He earned a BA in history. O’Reilly also spent his first year of university abroad, attending Queen Mary College, University of London. He earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University and an MPA from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Career
After graduating from Marist College, Bill moved to Miami where he took a job teaching English at Monsignor Pace High School. He taught for two years (1970-1972) before returning to Boston to do his master’s studies. In Boston, he worked for various local newspapers and alternative weeklies as a reporter and columnist.
He began his broadcasting career when he took up the position of anchor and reporter at WNEP-TV Scranton, Pennsylvania. His expertise was quickly seen by all and was recognized by WFAA-TV, Dallas, which presented him with the Dallas Press Club Award for Excellence in Investigative Reporting. He soon moved to KMGH-TV Denver, where he received his second career award, a local Emmy Award, for his coverage of a skyjacking.
From KMGH-TV Denver, Bill worked for KATU in Portland, Oregon, then WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut, and WNEV-TV Boston from 1984 to 1985.
In 1986 he became a correspondent for ABC News. After hearing Bill’s eulogy delivered at the funeral of a friend and ABC co-correspondent, Joe Spencer, then-ABC News president Roone Arledge decided to hire him. reported on the Day of World News tonight. He also began working as a reporter for ABC News programs including World News Tonight, Nightline and Good Morning America.
As ABC Bill O’Reilly received two Emmy Awards and a National Headliner Award for his expertise and excellence in reporting, but his career would take a new turn when he was employed by FOX Channel, which soon gave him his own show. – O’Reilly Report, later renamed O’Reilly Factor. The television news program first aired on FOX News in October and quickly returned to screens. It was quickly ranked as the most watched in the country with over two million viewers.
While with Fox, Bill also hosted a radio show The Radio Factor which was also a hit with over 3.26 million listeners and aired on over 400 radio stations. FOX News finally had to end its engagement in October 2017, following several reports of sexual participation and harassment.
Bill wrote several bestsellers including the popular ‘Killing Jesus’ and ‘Killing Lincoln’ – a book that reflects famous assassinations and deaths in history and ‘ Killing Reagan’ This was hugely successful and gained recognition world by entering the bestseller list just weeks after its release in September 2015.
Also Read: Cecilia Vega – Age, Married, Husband, ABC News Career, Biography, Salary
Bill O’Reilly’s Family – Wife, Children,
Bill O’Reilly was married once and it was to a public relations executive, Maureen E. McPhilmy. They met sometime in 1992 and were married four years later at St. Brigid’s Parish in Westbury, New York.
They welcomed their first child (a daughter) Madeline in 1998 and a son, Spencer in 2003.
Divorce
The couple, however, had to separate in 2011 following allegations of infidelity, domestic violence and harassment. They separated in 2010 and finalized their divorce on September 1, 2011.
Following the custody trial, in 2015, son Madeline, his daughter, testified to seeing her father suffocate her mother and drag her down the stairs of their home by her neck. However, Bill denied the allegation and declined to comment further on the allegation, citing court-ordered confidentiality to protect his children. In 2016, Bill O’Reilly lost custody of his two children.
Where is he now?
Bill has taken on other duties since leaving Fox News. In April 2017, he launched a podcast called No Spin News and in August he began releasing a video version of No Spin News digitally.
In May 2017 he became a recurring Friday guest on the Glenn Beck radio show, he also co-hosted a public speaking tour titled The Spin Stops Here alongside comedian Dennis Miller in June 2017.
O’Reilly made his first appearance on Fox News since being fired in September 2017. He was interviewed by Sean Hannity on The Sean Hannity Show
Height and other facts
The media icon is 6ft 3in tall and weighs 98kg.
His net worth is estimated at $85 million. His annual salary in 2016 was estimated at $18 million. He reportedly has a home in Manhasset, NY, on Long Island.