Chris Cuomo is one of the most influential and controversial journalists in America. He has had a long and successful career in television but has also faced criticism and scandals for some of his actions and opinions. He is starting a new chapter in his career with Nexstar Media Group.
Despite controversies surrounding him, Cuomo had a successful career in media, which is reflected in his financial standing. Here’s everything we know about his work!
Net Worth
Chris Cuomo has an estimated net worth of $12 million.
Over the course of his dynamic career in journalism, he has lent his voice and expertise to a variety of esteemed media platforms, including Fox News, ABC News, and CNN. At CNN, he spearheaded the well-respected program Cuomo Prime Time, where he provided nightly insight into current events until his tenure ended in December 2021. For his rigorous work, he was compensated with a substantial yearly salary of $6 million, indicative of his significant role at the network.
His taste for entrepreneurship extended into savvy investments in real estate and agriculture. With an eye for valuable properties, he transacted with real estate in New York’s vibrant markets, including the acquisition and sale of a Brooklyn townhouse and a luxurious Hamptons retreat.
Beyond brick and mortar, his expertise also encompasses the agribusiness sector, where he contributes as the chief financial officer for Continental Farmers Group PLC, guiding the company’s agricultural endeavors in Ukraine and Poland.
He ventured into documentary filmmaking with notable works like “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show.” This documentary revisits a pivotal moment in 1968, focusing on the week Harry Belafonte hosted the iconic show and welcomed groundbreaking Black personalities, illuminating their stories and impact.
His engagement with audiences is not confined to television; he has also embraced the airwaves, hosting Let’s Get After It, a weekly radio show aired on SiriusXM. Through his shows, he creates a space for dialogue, analysis, and reflection, connecting with listeners on a diverse array of subjects, and continuing to inform and engage in meaningful ways.
Rise to Fame
Stepping into the limelight as a reputable journalist and news anchor, Chris Cuomo has made a notable name for himself within the industry of broadcast journalism, particularly at the helm of CNN’s “Cuomo Prime Time,” a show that offers a nightly deep dive into news analysis and influential opinions.
Furthermore, his personal connection to American politics is prominent, being the sibling of Andrew Cuomo, the former governor of New York, which adds a unique layer to his public persona.
Born into a family well nestled in the political and societal fabric of New York, Cuomo grew up in the borough of Queens as the youngest of Mario Cuomo and Matilda Raffa’s five children.
His parents were formidable figures—his father, a three-term governor of New York with a profound legal and political legacy, and his mother, an advocate for women and children who earned recognition in the National Women’s Hall of Fame for her humanitarian efforts.
With a foundation of strong educational credentials, Cuomo polished his understanding of political dynamics at Yale University, where he earned a degree in political science.
He then furthered his academic pursuits at Fordham University’s School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor and equipping himself with a robust legal framework.
At the beginning of the new millennium, Cuomo began his career in journalism by taking on different roles as a correspondent and political commentator on networks like Fox News, MSNBC, and CNBC. He honed his skills in political analysis and reporting through these experiences.
Upon joining ABC News in 1999, his career trajectory ascended to impressive heights, where he not only co-anchored the prime-time news magazine “20/20” but also honed his expertise as a chief law and justice correspondent and a news anchor for the iconic “Good Morning America.” His deft reporting garnered him prestigious accolades, including a News Emmy, a Polk Award, and a Peabody Award, each serving as a testament to his journalistic excellence.
Eventually moving to CNN in 2013 Cuomo took on the mantle as co-anchor of “New Day,” simultaneously covering a plethora of major stories that shaped the global news landscape, from the Boston Marathon bombing to the terror assaults in European cities and the fever-pitch drama of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The launch of “Cuomo Prime Time” in 2018 allowed him yet another platform for thorough questioning and deep insights, as well as the opportunity to engage with key newsmakers.
This, alongside his “Let’s Get After It” radio show on SiriusXM, stands as a testament to his commitment to crucial public discourse. During the tumultuous period of the coronavirus pandemic, Cuomo’s voice became identifiable with the pulse of New York’s response. He did not simply report from a distance; his personal battle with the virus and transparent documentation of his own recovery process blended the lines of the observer and participant, bringing an intimate human dimension to his broadcast.
Chris Cuomo’s journey is not confined to screens and airwaves; his life off-camera as a devoted husband and father to three children complements his professional saga.
His career path serves as both a blueprint for journalistic aspiration and a heartening narrative of familial and societal contribution—making him a figure of professional credibility and personal integrity in the landscape of modern media.
Career Controversies
One of the most recent and serious controversies that Chris Cuomo faced was his involvement in his brother’s sexual harassment scandal.
In 2021, Andrew Cuomo was accused by several women of sexual harassment, unwanted touching and inappropriate comments. He was also under investigation for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes, where thousands of residents died. Chris Cuomo admitted that he had advised his brother on how to deal with the allegations and had contacted other journalists to find out more information about them. This raised ethical questions about his role as a journalist and his conflict of interest as a family member.
CNN chimed in on his case, initially defending Chris Cuomo, saying that he would not cover his brother’s scandal on his show, “Cuomo Prime Time”. However, after an independent investigation by the New York attorney general, it was discovered that Andrew Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women and violated state and federal laws, following this discovery CNN suspended Chris Cuomo indefinitely.
to this end, The network pointed out that it had hired an outside law firm to conduct its own investigation into Chris Cuomo’s conduct and that it had found “new information” that led to his termination. According to CNBC, the new information was a sexual misconduct allegation against Chris Cuomo himself, made by a former colleague at ABC News. The accuser’s lawyer, Debra Katz, said that her client was “disgusted by Chris efforts to try to discredit these women” who accused his brother.
Katz further put the nail in the coffin by saying:
“Hearing the hypocrisy of Chris Cuomo’s on-air words and disgusted by his efforts to try to discredit these women, my client retained counsel to report his serious sexual misconduct against her to CNN..
Chris Cuomo accused of sexual misconduct (cnbc.com)
And that her client would be more than happy to provide “documentary evidence.”
Chris Cuomo apparently denied the sexual misconduct allegation and said that he was fired unfairly by CNN. He also left his SiriusXM radio show, saying that he needed to focus on his family and his future. He later launched a new show on NewsNation, a cable news network owned by Nexstar Media Group. However, his ratings were much lower than his CNN show and he faced criticism from some viewers who accused him of being biased and dishonest.
Chris Cuomo’s involvement in his brother’s scandal was not the first time that he faced ethical dilemmas in his journalism career. In 2014, when he was working for ABC News, he interviewed his brother Andrew Cuomo about a corruption probe into his administration. He did not disclose their relationship to the viewers and asked softball questions that did not challenge his brother. In 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit New York hard, Chris Cuomo interviewed his brother several times on his CNN show and praised him for his leadership and response to the crisis. He also joked with him about their family and personal matters, creating a friendly and informal atmosphere. Some critics said that this was inappropriate and unprofessional, especially when Andrew Cuomo was facing scrutiny for his nursing home policies.
Again, Chris Cuomo faced a challenge in his career when he contracted COVID-19 in 2020 and documented his experience on his CNN show. He said that he had isolated himself in his basement to protect his family from the virus and that he had suffered from severe symptoms such as fever, chills, and hallucinations. However, contrary to his claims he was spotted outside his home in Long Island by a cyclist who confronted him for breaking quarantine rules.
Chris Cuomo eventually admitted that he had left his home prior to receiving clearance from health officials, and apologized for his actions. In addition, he had a heated argument with a cyclist on his radio show, calling him derogatory names such as “loser” and “jackass”.
Chris Cuomo has also been accused of being rude, arrogant, and aggressive by some of his colleagues and guests on his shows. Severally he had clashed with other journalists such as Megyn Kelly, Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson over various political issues.
He has also interrupted, talked over and insulted some of his interviewees, such as White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, former senator Rick Santorum and former Georgia state representative Vernon Jones. He has also used profanity and vulgar language on air, such as when he said “bullshit” while discussing President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial or when he called himself “Fredo”, a reference to the weak and traitorous brother in “The Godfather” movies.
Chris Cuomo is a journalist who is passionate about his work. He believes in being honest and fair in his reporting and takes pride in his job. However, he has faced challenges with anger issues and depression in the past. He has sought professional help to overcome these problems. Despite his love for journalism, he has contemplated leaving the field and pursuing a career in law or politics. Chris has also learned from his mistakes and believes in personal growth.
Recognition
Cuomo most profound feat had gained him the News Emmy Award on the 14th of September 2007, he had tendered a compelling portrayal of Mattie Stepanek, a precocious 12-year-old poet, in a feature on Good Morning America. This piece while it highlighted his journalistic excellence went the mile in capturing Cuomo’s outlandish level of wisdom and purity of a young soul expressing life through poetry.
For their profound journalism, his team earned the esteemed Polk Award and the distinguished Peabody Award on the 18th and 19th of February, 2009, recognizing their comprehensive reporting on the Elian Gonzalez international custody debacle and the heartbreaking devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.
His exceptional reportage on the capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award in the month of October, on the 6th 2014, celebrating his capacity to deliver clear and accurate breaking news under the strain of unfolding events. such coverage contained the true substance of his journalistic integrity and tenacity at a moment when the public sought understanding and solace.
Moreover, the Gracie Award was last presented to him on June 26, 2018, for his documentary “The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show,” in which he deftly unearthed the historic significance of the week Harry Belafonte broke barriers as a guest host. The documentary was more than just a film; it was a poignant exploration of cultural milestones and racial barriers during a tumultuous era, an evocative reminder of the power of representation in media.