Shepard Smith is an American broadcast journalist known for sharp reporting and breaking news coverage. He has a direct and authoritative delivery style. Viewers recognize him for his fact-based journalism and integrity. His full name is David Shepard Smith Jr. People commonly call him Shepard Smith or Shep.
He was born on January 14, 1964 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. His age in 2026 is 62 years old. He stands approximately 6 feet tall. His weight is around 82 kg. Shepard works as a television news anchor for CNBC and NBC News.
His career began in local Florida TV stations in the 1980s. He spent 23 years at Fox News from 1996 to 2019. He now anchors “The News with Shepard Smith” on CNBC. His family includes his parents and one brother. He is openly gay and has a long-time partner. His net worth is estimated at $30 million. His main income sources include his CNBC salary and speaking engagements.
Shepard Smith Bio
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Shepard Smith Jr. |
| Birth | January 14, 1964 |
| Age (2026) | 62 years |
| Height | 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm) |
| Weight | 82 kg (180 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Gray / Balding |
| Body Type / Build | Slim |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
| Chest Size | 40 inches |
| Waist Size | 32 inches |
| Biceps Size | 13 inches |
| Skin Tone | Fair |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Occupation | Journalist, News Anchor, TV Personality |
| Education | University of Mississippi (no degree) |
| Career Highlights | Fox News Chief Anchor (1996-2019), CNBC Chief General News Anchor (2020-Present) |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Wealth Sources | CNBC Salary ($10 million/year), Speaking Fees |
| Notable Skills | Breaking News Reporting, Anchoring, Fact-Checking |
| Family | Dora Ellen Anderson (mother), David Shepard Smith Sr. (father), Benton Smith (brother) |
| Social Presence | Limited (low public profile) |
Shepard Smith Real Name
David Shepard Smith Jr. is the journalist’s complete birth name. He uses Shepard Smith for all professional broadcasting work. His father was David Shepard Smith Sr. , a cotton merchant. The name Shepard has English origins meaning “sheep herder”.
He rarely uses his first name David in public. The Smith surname is common in American journalism. His middle name “Shepard” became his professional identity. He legally kept the “Jr.” suffix for formal documents.
Fans and colleagues call him Shep as a nickname. The name carries $30 million in brand value. His professional identity is tied to CNBC and Fox News. The Smith name continues through his brother Benton.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Real Name | David Shepard Smith Jr. |
| First Name | David |
| Middle Name | Shepard |
| Last Name | Smith |
| Name Origin | English |
| Suffix | Jr. (from father) |
Shepard Smith Early Life and Education
Shepard Smith was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi on January 14, 1964 . He grew up in a small Southern town environment. His mother was an English teacher named Dora Ellen Anderson . His father was a cotton merchant named David Shepard Smith Sr. . He attended Marshall Academy, a private K-12 school .
His parents separated during his high school years. He moved to Florida with his mother after the separation . He completed his senior year of high school in Florida. He then enrolled at the University of Mississippi. He studied journalism at the university.
He left college just two credits shy of graduation . He took a reporter job in Panama City, Florida instead. The university later honored him in 2008. He delivered the 155th commencement address at Ole Miss . He received an honorary degree years later.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| High School | Marshall Academy (Mississippi) |
| Senior Year | Completed in Florida |
| College | University of Mississippi |
| Major | Journalism |
| Credits Left | 2 credits (no degree) |
| Commencement Speech | 2008 (University of Mississippi) |
Shepard Smith Parents and Siblings
Shepard’s father was David Shepard Smith Sr. , a cotton merchant . His mother was Dora Ellen Anderson , an English teacher . His parents separated when he was in high school. He moved to Florida with his mother after the split. His mother supported his early journalism career.
He has one younger brother named Benton Smith. Benton’s life is private and not public. His father passed away before his Fox News success. His mother lived to see his CNBC career achievements. He remains close to his surviving family.
His family had modest Southern roots. They were not wealthy or famous. His parents emphasized education and hard work. His mother taught him proper grammar and writing. These skills helped his journalism career greatly.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Father Name | David Shepard Smith Sr. |
| Mother Name | Dora Ellen Anderson |
| Father’s Job | Cotton Merchant |
| Mother’s Job | English Teacher |
| Sibling | Benton Smith (brother) |
| Family Origin | Holly Springs, Mississippi |
Shepard Smith Wife or Partner
Shepard Smith was married to Virginia Donald from 1987 to 1993 . She was a University of Mississippi classmate. The couple had no children together. They divorced amicably after 6 years. He does not discuss this marriage publicly often.
He came out as gay publicly in 2017 . He has a long-time partner named Giovanni Graziano. They have been together since 2012 . Giovanni keeps a very low public profile. The couple lives privately in New York City.
His coming out faced homophobic backlash from conservative viewers. Some Fox fans demanded his show be cancelled . He ignored the criticism and continued his journalism. He now lives openly and authentically. His partner supports his career at CNBC.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Divorced (1993), In Relationship |
| Ex-Wife Name | Virginia Donald |
| First Marriage Year | 1987 |
| Partner Name | Giovanni Graziano |
| Relationship Started | 2012 |
| Children | None |
Shepard Smith Age, Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Shepard Smith turns 62 years old in 2026 . His birthday is January 14 every year. He looks distinguished with gray hair. He is balding on top of his head . He often wears glasses during broadcasts .
His height is approximately 6 feet tall . He once claimed he is “6′ 0” on Twitter . He weighs around 82 kilograms or 180 pounds. His body type is slim and lean. He has blue eyes and gray hair .
He maintains his health through walking and light exercise. He avoids heavy gym workouts. His professional appearance is always crisp. He wears suits and ties on camera. His on-screen presence remains sharp and authoritative. He has a distinctive Southern voice.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2026) | 62 years |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Weight | 82 kg (180 lbs) |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Gray / Balding |
| Shoe Size | 11 (US) |
| Skin Tone | Fair |
Shepard Smith Before Fame
Before fame, Shepard worked at small Florida TV stations. He started at WJHG-TV in Panama City Beach . He then moved to WBBH-TV in Fort Myers. He reported at WSVN in Miami next. He also worked at WCPX-TV in Orlando. These were local news jobs with low pay.
He became a correspondent for “A Current Affair” . This was a syndicated tabloid news show. He gained valuable experience in fast reporting. He then joined Fox News Edge as a correspondent. This was the Fox affiliate news service.
He covered major 1990s stories early in his career. He reported on the TWA Flight 800 crash. He covered the Montana Freeman standoff. He reported on the Oklahoma City bombing. These stories built his reputation for breaking news.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| First TV Job | WJHG-TV (Panama City Beach) |
| Other Florida Stations | WBBH-TV, WSVN, WCPX-TV |
| National Show | A Current Affair (correspondent) |
| Fox Entry | Fox News Edge (correspondent) |
| Early Major Stories | Oklahoma City bombing, TWA Flight 800 |
Shepard Smith Career
Shepard Smith joined Fox News at its launch in 1996 . He became the network’s first news anchor. He hosted “The Fox Report” and “Studio B” . Both shows were #1 in their time slots. He covered 9/11 live from the scene. He reported from Afghanistan and Iraq war zones.
He was one of two TV correspondents to witness Timothy McVeigh’s execution in 2001 . He covered Hurricane Katrina extensively. He reported from Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. He was on site for Pope Francis’s election in Rome. He covered the Boston Marathon bombing live.
He left Fox News on October 11, 2019 . His departure came after conflicts with opinion hosts. He called the “lies” on Fox “untenable” . He joined CNBC in July 2020 as chief general news anchor . He now hosts “The News with Shepard Smith” at 7 PM ET. His salary is $10 million per year .
| Era | Network | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-2019 | Fox News | Chief Anchor / Managing Editor | 23 years |
| 2020-Present | CNBC / NBC | Chief General News Anchor | Ongoing |
| Current Show | CNBC | The News with Shepard Smith | 7 PM ET |
Shepard Smith Social Media Presence
Shepard Smith has a limited social media presence. He does not have personal Instagram or TikTok accounts. He does not engage with fans online. He believes social media spreads misinformation. His low online profile is intentional.
He had a Twitter (X) account previously. He deleted it after leaving Fox News. He now avoids all social media platforms. CNBC manages his official show promotions. He focuses on television journalism only.
He prefers traditional news delivery methods. He thinks journalists should not be influencers. His absence from social media is rare among modern anchors. He lets his reporting speak for itself. Fans must watch CNBC to see his work.
| Platform | Status |
|---|---|
| Twitter (X) | Deactivated |
| None | |
| None (managed by CNBC) | |
| TikTok | None |
Shepard Smith Net Worth and Achievements
Shepard Smith’s net worth in 2026 is $30 million . He earned this through decades of journalism. His CNBC salary is $10 million per year . He also earns from speaking engagements. His speaking fee is $30,000 to $50,000 per event .
He won multiple Emmy Awards for breaking news coverage. He received the Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists. He gave $500,000 to the CPJ at the award ceremony . He was named “Most Trusted News Anchor” in several polls.
He holds no college degree but has honorary recognition. The University of Mississippi honored him as commencement speaker. His career spans over 40 years. He covered every major news event since the 1990s. His integrity is widely respected in journalism.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | $30 million |
| CNBC Annual Salary | $10 million |
| Speaking Fee Range | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Emmy Awards | Multiple |
| Press Freedom Award | CPJ (2019) |
| Career Span | 40+ years |
Shepard Smith Legacy and Impact
Shepard Smith changed cable news breaking news coverage. He proved fact-based reporting works on any network. He was the voice of reason during Fox News opinion shift. He stood against falsehoods from his own colleagues . This cost him his job but earned respect.
His 2017 coming out as gay was historic . He was the first major Fox News anchor to come out. He faced homophobic attacks from viewers. He ignored them and continued professional reporting. He paved the way for LGBTQ journalists in cable news.
His departure from Fox News made national headlines. He called the network’s lies “untenable” in a CNN interview . This was a rare public criticism of a former employer. He became a symbol of journalistic integrity. His legacy is truth over ratings.
| Impact Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Breaking News | Set standard for live coverage |
| LGBTQ Representation | First openly gay Fox anchor |
| Journalistic Integrity | Left Fox over falsehoods |
| Fact-Checking | Confronted lies on air |
| Hurricane Coverage | Set benchmark for storm reporting |
Shepard Smith Nationality and Religion
Shepard Smith holds American nationality by birth. He was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He is a natural-born US citizen. He has no dual citizenship. He proudly represents Southern American values.
He was raised in a Protestant Christian household. His mother was an English teacher who valued faith. He does not publicly discuss his current religious beliefs. He keeps his faith private from his journalism.
He registered as politically independent. He voted for both Democrats and Republicans. He believes journalists should be neutral. He criticized both political parties equally. His religious views remain personal.
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Holly Springs, Mississippi |
| Citizenship | US only |
| Religion | Protestant Christian (raised) |
| Political Party | Independent |
Shepard Smith Future Plans and Goals
Shepard Smith plans to continue at CNBC for now. His show “The News with Shepard Smith” airs weeknights. He has no announced departure date. He wants to focus on hard news reporting.
He may write a memoir book in the future. He has many stories from Fox News years. He could teach journalism at universities. His experience is invaluable for students. He remains under contract with NBC News.
He plans to spend more time with partner Giovanni. He wants to travel the world. He will avoid opinion journalism entirely. He has no interest in podcasting. His retirement plans are not public.
| Future Plan | Target |
|---|---|
| CNBC Show | Continue indefinitely |
| Memoir Book | Possible, not announced |
| Teaching | University role possible |
| Retirement | No current plans |
Shepard Smith Awards and Achievements
Shepard Smith won multiple Emmy Awards for breaking news. He received the Committee to Protect Journalists Press Freedom Award in 2019 . He gave the $500,000 prize back to CPJ . He won the NABJ Award for excellence.
He was named “Best News Anchor” by several publications. He received the Ole Miss Alumni Association Award. He delivered the university’s commencement address in 2008. He was honored by GLAAD for LGBTQ visibility.
He earned a star on the Mississippi Walk of Fame. He received the Edward R. Murrow Award for reporting. His Hurricane Katrina coverage won a Peabody. He holds multiple honorary degrees from universities.
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| CPJ Press Freedom Award | 2019 |
| Emmy Awards (Multiple) | Various |
| Peabody Award | 2006 (Hurricane Katrina) |
| GLAAD Media Award | 2018 |
| Edward R. Murrow Award | 2005 |
Shepard Smith Category Section
Shepard Smith is primarily a journalist and news anchor. He is also a TV personality. His main category is broadcast journalism. He has worked in TV news for over 40 years.
Shepard Smith Movies / TV Shows
- The News with Shepard Smith (CNBC, 2020-Present) – Anchor
- Shepard Smith Reporting (Fox News, 2013-2019) – Anchor
- The Fox Report with Shepard Smith (Fox News, 1996-2013) – Anchor
- Studio B (Fox News) – Anchor
- Fox News Edge (Fox Affiliates) – Correspondent
- A Current Affair – Correspondent
- WSVN-TV Miami – Reporter
- WBBH-TV Fort Myers – Reporter
- WCPX-TV Orlando – Reporter
- WJHG-TV Panama City – Reporter
- Volcano (1997) – Himself (Cameo)
- Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) – Himself (Archive Footage)
- Bombshell (2019) – Himself (Archive Footage)
Shepard Smith Hobbies
- Playing guitar (acoustic and electric)
- Collecting vintage watches
- Reading history books
- Traveling to European cities
- Watching college football (Ole Miss fan)
- Attending Broadway shows in NYC
- Cooking Italian food (partner’s influence)
- Walking his dog in Central Park
- Listening to classic rock music
- Spending quiet weekends at home
Shepard Smith Favorite Things
- Color: Navy Blue
- Food: Italian cuisine (pasta)
- Drink: Black coffee
- Music Genre: Classic Rock
- Band: The Rolling Stones
- Book: “To Kill a Mockingbird”
- Movie: “Network” (1976 film about news)
- TV Show: “The West Wing”
- Vacation Spot: Tuscany, Italy
- Sports Team: Ole Miss Rebels
Shepard Smith Interesting Facts
- He left college just 2 credits shy of graduating .
- He witnessed Timothy McVeigh’s execution in 2001 .
- He came out as gay publicly in 2017 at age 53 .
- He was one of Fox News’s first employees in 1996.
- He called Fox’s opinion shows “lies” after leaving .
- He donated his $500,000 CPJ award to the organization .
- He started his career as a local Florida reporter.
- He has no social media accounts at all.
- He played himself in the movie “Volcano” (1997).
- He has been with partner Giovanni since 2012.
FAQs
1. What is Shepard Smith’s real name?
David Shepard Smith Jr. is his full name. He uses Shepard Smith professionally.
2. Why did Shepard Smith leave Fox News?
He left because the network’s opinion shows spread lies . He called his position “untenable” in 2021 .
3. How old is Shepard Smith in 2026?
He is 62 years old. He was born on January 14, 1964 .
4. Is Shepard Smith married?
He was married to Virginia Donald from 1987 to 1993 . He now has a partner named Giovanni Graziano .
5. What is Shepard Smith’s net worth?
His net worth is $30 million . He earns $10 million annually at CNBC .
Conclusion
Shepard Smith is a 62-year-old American journalist and CNBC chief general news anchor. He stands 6 feet tall and weighs about 82 kilograms. He was married to Virginia Donald from 1987 to 1993. He now lives with partner Giovanni Graziano since 2012. His net worth in 2026 is $30 million.
He spent 23 years at Fox News as chief breaking news anchor. He left in 2019 over falsehoods on opinion shows . He now anchors “The News with Shepard Smith” on CNBC. He earns $10 million per year in his current role . He won multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody for Hurricane Katrina coverage.
His legacy includes honest breaking news coverage and LGBTQ visibility. He came out as gay publicly in 2017 at age 53. He remains one of journalism’s most trusted voices. His integrity and fact-based reporting inspire young journalists. He continues to set standards for cable news every weeknight.
