Geraldo Rivera: The Multifaceted Media Mogul

How Much is Geraldo Rivera Really Worth?

Let me tell you about Geraldo Rivera. This guy is more than just a name in the media world; he’s a walking, talking legend. Geraldo Rivera, an American attorney, journalist, author, and talk show host, boasts a net worth of a cool $20 million. Now, how does someone build that kind of wealth? Well, Geraldo didn’t just stumble into fame; he worked for it. Back in the 70s and 80s, he was making waves with his hard-hitting investigative journalism, uncovering truths about abused patients, the death of John Lennon, and even Elvis Presley’s demise. These stories weren’t just news; they were groundbreaking revelations that earned him awards and respect across the industry.

Geraldo’s journey began when he was hired as a reporter at WABC-TV in 1970. That was just the start. He became an international sensation with his eponymous show, “Geraldo,” which aired from 1987 to 1998. But Geraldo’s career didn’t stop there. After the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001, he made a bold move to Fox News, where he worked as a war correspondent, risking his life in places like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. He took on 22 combat assignments, each lasting weeks at a time, putting himself in some of the most dangerous situations imaginable. And let’s not forget, he’s also authored eight books, won seven Emmy awards, and even a Peabody Award for his groundbreaking report on abused and neglected patients. Oh, and he’s also competed on shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Celebrity Apprentice." Talk about a diverse career!

Where Did It All Begin?

Geraldo Rivera wasn’t born with a silver spoon. He was born on July 4, 1943, in New York City to parents Lillian and Cruz Rivera. His mom worked in a restaurant, and his dad drove a cab. Despite humble beginnings, Geraldo had a unique background—he’s of Jewish and Puerto Rican ancestry and was raised in a predominantly Jewish household. Growing up in Brooklyn and West Babylon, New York, Geraldo attended West Babylon High School. He then went on to the State University of New York Maritime College, where he was part of the rowing team. Later, he transferred to the University of Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1965. But Geraldo wasn’t done yet. In 1966, he enrolled at Brooklyn Law School, graduating in 1969. This legal education would later serve as a foundation for his media career, allowing him to tackle complex issues with authority.

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From Law to Journalism: A Career That Redefined Media

After law school, Geraldo didn’t just settle into a typical lawyer’s life. He dove headfirst into community activism, working with organizations like Community Action for Legal Services and the National Lawyers Guild. He even got involved with the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group. It was during this time that his path crossed with WABC-TV news director Al Primo, who offered him a job as a reporter. Geraldo accepted the offer and completed the Summer Program in Journalism for Members of Minority Groups at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1970.

Geraldo’s career at WABC-TV started when he joined as a reporter for “Eyewitness News” in 1970. Just two years later, in 1972, he won a prestigious Peabody Award for his investigative report on the neglect and abuse of patients with intellectual disabilities at Staten Island’s Willowbrook State School and Rockland County’s Letchworth Village. This report not only brought national attention to the issue but also showcased Geraldo’s dedication to uncovering the truth. His work on this story and others earned him appearances on national ABC programs like “20/20” and “Nightline.”

In 1973, Geraldo was given his own show, “Good Night America,” as part of ABC’s “Wide World of Entertainment” program block. This show tackled controversial topics like marijuana usage and Vietnam War draft dodgers, cementing Geraldo’s reputation as a fearless journalist unafraid to tackle tough subjects. The show aired until 1977, with 33 episodes in total. Geraldo continued working with ABC, contributing to high-profile specials like “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults.”

In 1987, Geraldo ventured into daytime television with his talk show, “Geraldo,” which ran for 11 years. The show was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring controversial guests and often dramatic confrontations. One particularly memorable episode in 1988 saw Geraldo’s nose broken in an on-air brawl involving white supremacists, Black activists, and militant Jewish activists. Critics labeled the show “Trash TV,” but it was undeniably entertaining and groundbreaking. While still hosting “Geraldo,” he launched another show, “Rivera Live,” on CNBC in 1994, an evening news and interview program that aired on weeknights until 2001.

After the tragic events of 9/11, Geraldo left CNBC to become a war correspondent for Fox News. He traveled to Afghanistan with his brother Craig as his cameraman. This role led to his own show, “At Large with Geraldo Rivera,” which later evolved into “Geraldo at Large” in 2005. The show aired until it was replaced by “The Greg Gutfeld Show” in 2015. Despite the show’s end, Geraldo continues to be a regular face on Fox News programs like “The Five” and “Fox and Friends.”

Throughout his career, Geraldo has also been a prolific author, publishing several books. His first book, “Willowbrook: A Report on How It Is and Why It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way,” was published in 1972. He followed this with “Miguel Robles – So Far” and “Puerto Rico: Island of Contrasts” in 1973. In 1977, he published “A Special Kind of Courage: Profiles of Young Americans.” His 1992 memoir, “Exposing Myself,” was deeply personal, and in 2018, he released another memoir, “The Geraldo Show: A Memoir.”

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How Much Does Geraldo Make at Fox News?

As of September 2021, Geraldo signed a multi-year contract extension with Fox News, believed to pay him a salary of $4 million per year. Not too shabby for a guy who started out as a reporter on the streets of New York, right?

Behind the Scenes: Geraldo’s Personal Life

Geraldo Rivera’s personal life is as colorful as his professional one. He’s been married five times and has five children. His first marriage was to Linda Coblentz in 1965, but they divorced in 1969. He then married Edith Vonnegut in 1971, divorcing four years later in 1975. In 1976, he married Sherryl Raymond, with whom he had a son, Gabriel, in 1979. They divorced in 1984. In 1987, he married Cynthia Cruickshank, and they had daughters Isabella and Simone in 1992 and 1994, respectively. However, they divorced in 2000 after attempting to have more children through IVF.

Geraldo is currently married to Erica Michelle Levy, whom he wed in 2003. They welcomed a daughter in 2005. Interestingly, Geraldo also has another son named Cruz, born in 1987, though the identity of Cruz’s mother remains private. Geraldo has also admitted to a multi-year affair with Marian Javits, the wife of New York Senator Jacob Javits, which ended in 1985.

When he’s not busy reporting or writing, Geraldo enjoys sailing. He’s the proud owner and skipper of a sailing vessel named Voyager and has participated in the Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race four times. He’s even sailed 1,400 miles up the Amazon River and circumnavigated the globe, chronicling these adventures in six one-hour specials for The Travel Channel.

Geraldo’s Real Estate Empire

Geraldo’s real estate ventures reflect his success. In May 2015, he and Erica paid $5.6 million for an apartment in New York City. They listed it for sale in November 2016 for $7.2 million but ultimately sold it for $6.1 million. Previously, he owned a smaller unit in the same building, purchased for $3.4 million in 2011 and sold in 2015 for $3.96 million.

In 2017, Geraldo moved to his wife’s hometown of Cleveland, where they purchased a $2.8 million, 13,000-square-foot mansion. They also own a waterfront vacation home in Edgewater, New Jersey, which they tried to sell in 2015 for $3.75 million but later decided to keep. Whether it’s media, sailing, or real estate, Geraldo Rivera has truly lived a life worth talking about.