Don Lemon (born March 1, 1966) is an American television journalist best known for his tenure at CNN from 2006 to 2023. He began his career anchoring local news in Alabama and Pennsylvania and worked as a correspondent for NBC, appearing on Today and NBC Nightly News.
Lemon won an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2002 and three regional Emmy Awards. He gained prominence as the host of Don Lemon Tonight from 2014 to 2022 and later co-hosted CNN This Morning. He was fired from CNN in April 2023 amid controversy.
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Don Lemon Net Worth
Don Lemon has a net worth of $20 million. In 2020, he listed his Harlem condo for $1.75 million. The 1,400-square-foot, chic space includes two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a large balcony with panoramic views, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
He bought the condo for $1.5 million seven years earlier, aiming to break even on the sale. Previously, Lemon sold another unit in the same building for $970,000 in 2016. He also owns a Hamptons home in Sag Harbor, purchased in 2016 for $3 million, now valued at $4.5 million.
Early Life
Don Lemon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Katherine Bouligney and Wilmon Lee Richardson, a prominent attorney involved in desegregation lawsuits. Lemon discovered Richardson was his father at age five.
Of mostly African-American and Creole descent, he was sexually molested as a child and knew he was gay early on. He attended Baker High School, where he was class president. Lemon initially attended Louisiana State University, where he was a Republican, and later graduated from Brooklyn College with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1996.
Career
Before graduating, Don Lemon worked for Fox News affiliates and later joined NBC as a correspondent in Philadelphia and Chicago, initially anchoring weekend news in Birmingham, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. He eventually moved to NBC’s main hub in New York, appearing on “Today” and “NBC Nightly News.”
In 2002, he won an Edward R. Murrow Award for covering the D.C. sniper and Hurricane Katrina. Moving to Chicago’s WMAQ-TV in 2003, he won three Emmys. Lemon joined CNN in 2006, where his outspoken views often sparked controversy. After several on-air incidents, Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023.
Personal life
Don Lemon lives in Harlem and has a home in Sag Harbor, Long Island. In his 2011 memoir Transparent, Lemon publicly came out as gay, making him one of the few openly gay Black men in broadcasting. The memoir also discusses his experiences with colorism and childhood sexual abuse.
In 2017, he received death threats containing racial slurs. Lemon’s sister, L’Tanya “Leisa” Lemon Grimes, died accidentally in 2018. He began dating real estate agent Tim Malone in 2016, and they married on April 6, 2024, in New York City.
What is Don Lemon famous for?
Beyond his association with CNN, Don Lemon is recognized for his critical reporting, most notably his special report delving into the intricacies of the real estate market in Chicago.
Conclusion
Don Lemon’s illustrious career, marked by its highs and lows, has left an indelible mark on the landscape of American journalism. His net worth, while an indicator of his professional successes, also stands as a symbol of his perseverance in the challenging world of media.
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FAQs about Don Lemon Net Worth
- How much is Don Lemon worth in total?
- Approximately $12 million.
- What was Don Lemon’s annual financial compensation at CNN?
- Around $4 million.
- Why was Don Lemon’s contract with CNN terminated?
- Controversies, combined with allegations of sexism and misogyny, led to his termination in 2023.
- Who is set to replace Don Lemon on CNN This Morning?
- Phil Mattingly.
- Is Don Lemon married, and if not, who is he engaged to?
- Don Lemon is not married but is engaged to real estate agent Tim Malone.
