50 Facts About Megyn Kelly

Early Life and Education

Megyn Kelly's journey began in Champaign, Illinois, where she was born into a family with a rich cultural background.

1. Birth and Early Life: Born on November 18, 1970, in Champaign, Illinois, to Edward Francis Kelly, an education professor, and Linda (née DeMaio), a homemaker.
2. Family Background: Kelly is of Italian and German descent on her mother's side and Irish descent on her father's side. She was raised Catholic and had a sister, Suzanne, and a brother, Pete.
3. Father's Death: At 15, Kelly's father passed away from a heart attack in 1985. This event significantly impacted her family, leading her mother to work as a nurse at a Veterans Administration hospital to support the family.
4. Education: Kelly attended Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, New York, where she was involved in athletics and was captain of her cheerleading squad.
5. College: She attended Syracuse University but was initially rejected by the school of public communications. Instead, she studied political science and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1992.

Legal Career

Before becoming a household name in journalism, Kelly had a successful career in law.

6. Law School: After graduating from Syracuse University, Kelly enrolled at Albany Law School. She edited the law review and was a member of the student senate.
7. Legal Career: Kelly graduated from Albany Law School in 1995 and began her career as a corporate litigator at the Chicago law firm Bickel & Brewer.
8. Jones Day: She later moved to the international firm Jones Day, where she represented clients like Experian, a credit bureau.

Transition to Journalism

Kelly's shift from law to journalism marked the beginning of her rise to fame.

9. Burnout from Law: Despite her success in law, Kelly felt burnt out from the long hours and limited personal time.
10. Reporting Class: She took a class on reporting and completed an internship at Chicago’s NBC News branch.
11. Sample Reel: A friend helped her film a sample reel, which she used to approach television stations for a position as a newscaster.
12. Early Journalism Career: In 2003, Kelly moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and landed a job as a stringer for the Washington, D.C., ABC News affiliate WJLA-TV while still practicing law.

Fox News Career

Kelly's tenure at Fox News solidified her status as a prominent media personality.

13. Fox News Hire: In 2004, Kelly was hired by Fox News Channel as a Washington, D.C. correspondent.
14. America’s Newsroom: She co-hosted America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer from 2007 to 2012.
15. America Live: Kelly hosted America Live from 2010 to 2013.
16. The Kelly File: In October 2013, Kelly began hosting her own live evening news show, The Kelly File, which became one of the highest-rated cable news programs on television.

Presidential Debates and Controversies

Kelly's role in moderating presidential debates and her involvement in controversies brought her further into the spotlight.

17. Moderating Presidential Debates: Kelly moderated several Republican presidential debates in 2015 and 2016.
18. Donald Trump Questioning: Her questioning of Donald Trump during the August 2015 GOP debate was particularly notable.
19. Sexual Harassment Allegations: In 2016, Fox News founder Roger Ailes resigned after several employees, including Kelly, accused him of sexual harassment.
20. Memoir: Kelly wrote about the allegations in her memoir Settle for More (2016).

NBC News Career

Kelly's move to NBC News was a significant shift in her career.

21. Joining NBC: In January 2017, Kelly left Fox News to join NBC News.
22. Megyn Kelly Today: She started hosting the third hour of the morning show Today with her program titled Megyn Kelly Today in September 2017.
23. Show Struggles: The show struggled to connect with viewers and was eventually canceled in October 2018.
24. Controversial Comments: During her time at NBC, Kelly faced criticism for several comments, including one about blackface.

Personal Life

Kelly's personal life has also been a subject of public interest.

25. First Marriage: Kelly married medical student Dan Kendall in September 2001. The couple divorced in 2006.
26. Second Marriage: She later married Douglas Brunt, a former CEO of Authentium, in 2011. They divorced in 2016.
27. Current Projects: After leaving NBC, Kelly has continued to work in media. She hosts a talk show and podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, which airs live daily on the Triumph channel on SiriusXM.

Awards and Recognition

Kelly's work has earned her several accolades over the years.

28. Childhelp Award: Kelly received an award from Childhelp for her coverage of child abuse in 2009.
29. Alumni Achievement Award: She received an Alumni Achievement Award from Albany Law School in 2010.
30. Time Magazine: In 2014, Kelly was included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Legacy and Impact

Kelly's career has left a lasting impact on journalism and media.

31. Bethlehem Central High School Hall of Fame: On September 26, 2015, Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bethlehem Central High School.
32. Fox News Ratings Leader: The Kelly File was occasionally the channel's ratings leader, topping The O'Reilly Factor during its run from 2013 to 2017.
33. Criticism and Controversy: Kelly has faced criticism for her comments on various topics, including her statement that Santa Claus and Jesus Christ are white.
34. Support for Gay Rights: Despite being associated with conservative media, Kelly expressed support for gay rights.
35. Independent Political Views: Kelly identified as an independent, setting her apart from the conservative agenda at Fox News.

Challenges and Controversies

Kelly's career has not been without its challenges and controversies.

36. NBC’s Ambitious Plan: When NBC hired Kelly in 2017, they gambled on her becoming a hybrid star who could appeal to both conservative and liberal audiences.
37. Failed Morning Show Host: Kelly’s stint as the host of Megyn Kelly Today was marked by difficulty in conducting engaging interviews.
38. Controversial Guests: One of the first guests on her short-lived NBC newsmagazine, Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly, was Sandy Hook shooting denier Alex Jones.
39. Blackface Remark: Kelly’s blackface remark was the final straw in her tenure at NBC.

Current Endeavors

Kelly continues to make her mark in the media landscape.

40. Social Media Presence: Kelly is active on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
41. The Megyn Kelly Show: She hosts a talk show and podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, which airs live daily on the Triumph channel on SiriusXM.
42. Fair Reporting: Despite the political nature of her work, Kelly is often praised for her fair reporting style.
43. Personal Sacrifices: Kelly has spoken about the personal sacrifices she made to pursue her career in journalism.

Inspirational Moments

Kelly's journey is filled with moments of inspiration and determination.

44. Oprah and Dr. Phil: A moment watching Oprah and Dr. Phil changed Kelly’s life.
45. Age and Experience: At 32, Kelly felt uncertain about entering a new profession but persevered.
46. Initial Challenges: Kelly faced significant challenges in her early days as a journalist.
47. Career Path Paved by Conviction: Kelly’s conviction in walking out of her legal career and into journalism has been a defining aspect of her professional journey.

Media's Identity Crisis

Kelly's career reflects the broader identity crisis in media.

48. NBC’s Search for the Next Star: After Kelly’s departure, NBC is likely searching for another personality who can embody the industry’s vision of a hybrid star.
49. Star Power and Charisma: Kelly’s star power was undeniable, but it also made her vulnerable to criticism.
50. Legacy in Media: Despite the controversies and challenges, Megyn Kelly remains a significant figure in media.

Megyn Kelly's Impact on Media

Megyn Kelly's journey from law to journalism shows her determination and adaptability. Her career, marked by high-profile interviews, moderating presidential debates, and tackling controversial topics, has left a significant mark on the media landscape. Despite facing criticism and controversy, Kelly's ability to ask tough questions and present balanced reporting has earned her both praise and notoriety. Her transition from Fox News to NBC and subsequent ventures into podcasting and social media highlight her resilience and willingness to evolve. Kelly's story serves as a reminder of the challenges and opportunities in the media industry, especially for women. Her legacy continues to influence aspiring journalists and media personalities, proving that conviction and hard work can lead to success, even in the face of adversity.