In this handout photo provided by FOX News, FOX News Channel Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes is photographed November 13, 2015 at the networks Manhattan headquarters New York City. (Getty)
Roger Ailes, the founder and former CEO and Chairman of Fox News, leaves behind an estimated net worth of $100 million.
The media giant passed away on Wednesday after reportedly suffering a fall at his Florida home. Ailes’ death comes just months after he resigned from his job following a slew of sexual allegations from female colleagues.
As a media consultant, Ailes worked with many Republican candidates, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. He also acted as an adviser to the Donald Trump campaign.
Read on to learn more about Roger Ailes’ net worth.
1. He Leaves Behind an Estimated Net Worth of $100 Million
Roger Ailes, President of Fox News Channel attends the Hollywood Reporter celebration of “The 35 Most Powerful People in Media” at the Four Season Grill Room on April 11, 2012 in New York City. (Getty)
Roger Ailes leaves behind an estimated net worth of $100 million. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the news executive made a salary of approximately $20 million per year.
Ailes’ graduated from Ohio University, where he majored in radio and television and was the station manager of WOUB for two years. Upon graduating in 1962, he worked as Property Assistant for KYW-TV’s The Mike Douglas Show. He slowly climbed the ranks at the show, becoming Producer in 1965 and Executive Producer in 1967. In 1968, Ailes was nominated for a Daytime Emmy after the show was syndicated nationally.
In 1984, he forayed into political consulting, working on Ronald Reagan’s campaign. His book, You Are the Message: Secrets of Master Communicators, was released in 1988. On October 7, 1996, Ailes became the founding CEO of Fox News.
According to Variety, Ailes was known for his “bare-knuckle approach to dealing with competitors and those who he saw as adversaries,” and maintaining an “old-school” newsroom culture.
2. He Was Reportedly Given a $40 Million Severance Package
Roger Ailes attends Erica Rivera’s 40th Birthday hosted by Geraldo Rivera at Monkey Bar on January 30, 2015 in New York City. (Getty)
Ailes reportedly received a $40 million severance package from Fox when he resigned in July.
The amount of the severance package was met with criticism after it was revealed that Gretchen Carlson, one of the women who says she was harassed by the media mogul, received a $20 million settlement.
In the statement that announced it had settled the lawsuit, 21st Century Fox apologized to Carlson, writing:
During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.
After Carlson publicly accused Ailes of sexual harassment, 20 other women came forward with similar claims, including Megyn Kelly, Kellie Boyle, Rudi Bakhtiar, Alisyn Camerota, Julia Roginsky, and more.
3. He Produced a Number of Theater Productions and Television Specials
Roger Ailes, Chairman & CEO, FOX News & FOX Business attends the 2012 Ailes Apprentice Class graduation ceremony at FOX Studios on November 15, 2012 in New York City. (Getty)
Over the course of his career, Ailes has produced a number of theatrical productions and television shows. In 1971, he produced the Broadway play Mother Earth, which ran at the Belasco Theater for just over a week.
Ailes worked as a producer for a number of television series. His first production credit came in 1968, on the TV movie Mike and Liberace. He then went on to produce The Real Tom Kennedy Show, Tomorrow Coast to Coast, Television and the Presidency, All-Star Salute to Our Troops, and the TV series Rush Limbaugh.
It was during his time on The Michael Douglas Show that Ailes met presidential candidate Richard Nixon and decided to leave the program to work as a media advisor for Nixon’s campaign.
4. Two of Ailes’ Homes Went on the Market in September 2016
PASADENA, CA – JULY 24: Chairman & CEO, FOX News Roger Ailes from “Fox News” speaks onstage during the 2006 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour for the FOX Broadcasting Company at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel on July 24, 2006 in Pasadena, California. (Getty)
Two months after resigning from his job at Fox, Ailes’ two New York homes were put on the market, according to Variety.
The two homes were part of his 20-plus-acre compound in bucolic Garrison, N.Y., and their asking prices were allegedly lower than what Ailes paid for them. In 2007, Variety reports that he purchased the larger of the two homes for $1.2 million. The home sits on nearly 2.5 acres, and comes equipped with three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The outlet says that Ailes initially asked $1.47 million for the home. The smaller of the two homes was purchased in late 2008 for a reported $1.65 million.
As of September 2016, Roger and his wife, Elizabeth, still owned a 3,500-sq foot ranch in Cresskill, New Jersey that they purchased in 2000 for $1.85 million. They also owned the centerpiece of the Garrison compound: a 9,000-sq foot mansion that they bought for $4 million in 2014.
5. He Reportedly Earned $21 Million in the 2012 Fiscal Year
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In February 2012, Ailes contract with News Corp. was renewed for another four years. Although the terms of his salary were not made public, it was revealed that his earnings for the 2012 fiscal year were $6 million in salary and $21 million in total compensation.
Prior to the contract renewal, it was announced that the sons of Rupert Murdoch, the owner of 21st Century Fox and News Corp, would take on leadership roles at the company. In a joint-statement, Lachlan and James Murdoch said, “Roger is an incredibly talented executive and we’re pleased he has accepted our offer to continue his extraordinary record of success at 21st Century Fox.”
In July, Ailes resigned as Fox News Chief. Rupert Murdoch subsequently took his place as acting CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.