George Stephanopoulos Net Worth

What is George Stephanopoulos' Net Worth and Salary?

George Stephanopoulos is an American television journalist, political commentator, and former Democratic political strategist who has a net worth of $60 million. His salary for co-hosting "Good Morning America" is $25 million per year.

Over the course of his career, George Stephanopoulos has moved from the highest levels of White House politics to the anchor desk of "Good Morning America" and "This Week," becoming one of the most prominent political journalists on network television. After serving as a key communications aide in the Clinton administration during the 1990s, Stephanopoulos transitioned to broadcast journalism, where he built a reputation for sharp interviewing, deep political knowledge, and calm handling of breaking news. At ABC, he has moderated presidential debates, interviewed global leaders, and covered major national crises. His unusual path from partisan insider to mainstream news anchor has defined his public persona, making him one of the most influential figures in modern American political media.

Salary

For his work at ABC News, George Stephanopoulos earns a salary of $25 million per year.

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Early Life and Education

George Robert Stephanopoulos was born on February 10, 1961, in Fall River, Massachusetts, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the son of Greek Orthodox parents, and his father was a priest, which meant Stephanopoulos grew up deeply connected to church life and community service.

He attended Columbia University, where he earned a degree in political science and graduated summa cum laude. He later studied at Balliol College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving a Master of Arts in theology. His academic background in politics and philosophy laid the groundwork for his early entry into government service.

Clinton White House Years

Stephanopoulos first gained national visibility as a key member of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. After Clinton's victory, he joined the White House as Communications Director and later served as Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy.

In those roles, Stephanopoulos became one of the administration's most visible spokespeople, frequently appearing on television to defend policy decisions and articulate the president's agenda. He was closely involved in major policy debates during Clinton's first term, including economic reform and healthcare initiatives.

His time in the White House was intense and highly public. By 1996, he left the administration, later reflecting on the experience in his memoir "All Too Human," which offered a candid look at life inside the Clinton White House.

Transition to Journalism

After leaving politics, Stephanopoulos made a notable career shift into broadcast journalism. In 1997, he joined ABC News as a political analyst. The transition from partisan strategist to journalist drew scrutiny, but over time he established himself as a credible and measured interviewer.

He became a regular contributor on "This Week," ABC's Sunday political affairs program, and eventually succeeded Sam Donaldson as host in 2002. Under his leadership, "This Week" remained a key platform for interviews with senators, cabinet officials, and presidential candidates.

His political background gave him unique insight into campaign strategy and governance, often allowing him to question guests with an insider's understanding of Washington dynamics.

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"Good Morning America"

In 2009, Stephanopoulos was named co-anchor of "Good Morning America," joining Diane Sawyer. After Sawyer left the program, he continued as a central anchor alongside Robin Roberts and later Michael Strahan.

On "Good Morning America," Stephanopoulos expanded beyond strictly political coverage, anchoring breaking news events, international crises, and major cultural moments. His calm demeanor during high-pressure situations, including elections and global conflicts, helped solidify his standing within the network.

Despite his background in hard politics, he adapted to the broader scope of morning television, balancing policy discussions with human-interest stories and live event coverage. His tenure has coincided with intense competition in the morning ratings race, with "Good Morning America" frequently battling NBC's "Today" for the top spot.

Debate Moderation and High-Profile Interviews

Stephanopoulos has moderated multiple presidential and primary debates, placing him at the center of national political discourse. His debate performances are often closely analyzed for fairness, tone, and questioning strategy.

Over the years, he has conducted interviews with sitting presidents, world leaders, Supreme Court justices, and prominent business executives. Known for his direct but controlled style, he often presses interview subjects on inconsistencies while maintaining a professional demeanor.

His long-standing presence at ABC has made him one of the network's most visible representatives during election cycles and major breaking news events.

Books and Public Commentary

In addition to his broadcasting career, Stephanopoulos is the author of "All Too Human," a memoir chronicling his years in the Clinton administration. The book became a bestseller and offered a rare insider account of modern presidential politics.

He has also contributed to ABC News specials and political documentaries, leveraging his experience in both government and journalism to provide context and analysis.

Controversies

Legal Incident (1995)

In September 1995, while serving as a senior advisor in the Clinton administration, Stephanopoulos was involved in a traffic incident in Washington, D.C. After dining at a restaurant in Georgetown, he struck a parked vehicle while pulling out of a parking space. He was briefly detained and charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving with an expired license and plates. The charge of leaving the scene was ultimately dropped after it was clarified that he had not fled the area, though he did pay a fine for the licensing violations.

Clinton Foundation Donations

Between 2012 and 2014, Stephanopoulos donated a total of $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation. The donations sparked a significant ethics controversy when they were revealed in 2015, as Stephanopoulos had not disclosed the financial contributions to ABC News or his viewers—even while reporting on the foundation and interviewing its critics. Critics argued the lack of transparency compromised his role as an impartial journalist. Following the backlash, Stephanopoulos issued a public apology, and while ABC News stood by him, he voluntarily recused himself from moderating the network's 2016 Republican primary debate to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Jeffrey Epstein Association

Stephanopoulos faced renewed scrutiny in 2019 following the surfacing of a 2010 photograph showing him at a dinner party hosted by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein at his Manhattan townhouse. The event, reportedly held to welcome Prince Andrew back to New York, included other high-profile guests such as Chelsea Handler, Woody Allen, and Katie Couric. Stephanopoulos later addressed the association, stating that he attended the dinner purely as a guest of a friend and had no personal or professional relationship with Epstein, describing the evening as his only encounter with him.

Personal Life

In 2001, George Stephanopoulos married Alexandra Wentworth, an actress and comedian. Over the course of their relationship, they have had two children together. The family lives in Manhattan.

Real Estate

In 1994, eyebrows were raised when reports suggested George Stephanopoulos had somehow managed to sign an $850,000 commercial real estate deal despite having a limited income at the time. It was subsequently suggested that George was only approved by NationsBank for the deal because of his White House connections and that anyone else who tried to get a similar loan would have been turned down. The deal became even shadier when it was revealed that the bank's primary regulator had strong ties to the Clinton administration, which George was serving under.

In 2008, George Stephanopoulos sold a property in East Hampton for $2.5 million. In 2010, he and his wife purchased another property in East Hampton with a $3.5 million price tag and 4,500 square feet of living space. That year, the couple also snatched up a pricey apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for $6.5 million.

In 2013, he also purchased a property in the town of Southampton, New York, for $4.5 million. He and his wife quickly sought to flip the 4,800-square-foot property for a profit, but it wasn't easy. After putting it on the market for about $7 million, the couple continued to slash the price until it sold in 2018 for $6 million.

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