Charles Krauthammer Net Worth

What was Charles Krauthammer's net worth and salary?

Charles Krauthammer was an American Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist, political commentator, and physician who had a net worth of $12 million at the time of his death. Trained as a psychiatrist, Charles Krauthammer pivoted to journalism in the 1980s and became one of the country's most respected conservative commentators. With a penetrating intellect, sharp wit, and unwavering commitment to reasoned debate, he became a fixture in national discourse through his Washington Post columns, regular appearances on Fox News, and essays in major publications.

Though he used a wheelchair for most of his adult life due to a spinal cord injury suffered in his youth, Krauthammer never let physical limitations define him. His blend of moral clarity, scholarly rigor, and rhetorical precision earned him admiration across ideological lines. Until his death in 2018, he remained a central figure in political commentary, known for his principled stances, deep thoughtfulness, and refusal to bend to partisan extremes.

Early Life and Medical Career

Charles Krauthammer originally studied political theory before entering medical school, where his path was abruptly altered by a diving accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Despite this life-changing injury, he returned to Harvard Medical School and graduated as a psychiatrist. His medical training deeply informed his analytical style, particularly in understanding human motivation and behavior. He co-authored a landmark study on bipolar disorder and served as chief resident in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Though his time in medicine was brief, it gave him a scientific approach to reasoning and a disciplined method of thinking that he carried into his later work as a writer and analyst.

(Photo by Ray Lustig/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Transition to Politics and Journalism

Krauthammer's transition to political journalism began in earnest when he moved to Washington, D.C., to work as a speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale during the Carter administration. Although he later became a conservative icon, Krauthammer's early years reflected a more centrist and liberal worldview. His writing career launched at The New Republic, where he quickly gained attention for his incisive takes on foreign and domestic policy. In 1985, he joined The Washington Post as a columnist, a role that would define the rest of his career.

In 1987, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, cementing his reputation as one of the most important public intellectuals of his time. He wrote with extraordinary clarity, often blending philosophical argument with practical political insight. Whether addressing the Cold War, American interventionism, or cultural debates, Krauthammer's views were always grounded in logic and moral conviction.

Core Political Philosophy

Though often labeled a neoconservative, Krauthammer resisted ideological pigeonholing. His worldview was shaped by realism in foreign policy, support for American leadership on the world stage, and a belief in democratic values. He was a fierce advocate for Israel and a strong proponent of muscular American engagement abroad, arguing that a retreat from global leadership would embolden authoritarian regimes.

Domestically, he held moderate views on many issues, including support for embryonic stem cell research and criticism of certain excesses within both political parties. Krauthammer valued intellectual consistency over partisan loyalty, and while he often aligned with conservatives, he was not afraid to call out hypocrisy or flawed reasoning within his own camp.

Media Presence and Influence

Krauthammer became a regular face on television through his role as a panelist on PBS's "Inside Washington" and later on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier." His calm demeanor, articulate delivery, and mastery of the issues made him a standout voice in an era of increasingly polarized media. Even those who disagreed with his conclusions often respected the rigor of his arguments.

His influence extended beyond media appearances. His 2013 book, Things That Matter, a collection of essays and columns, became a New York Times bestseller and offered a deep look at his intellectual evolution and personal reflections. The book further solidified his status as a public thinker of rare depth and civility.

Final Years and Legacy

In 2017, Krauthammer was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his abdomen, and after undergoing surgery and treatment, he announced in June 2018 that his cancer had returned and was terminal. He died shortly afterward, at the age of 68. In his farewell letter, Krauthammer wrote with characteristic grace and lucidity, thanking readers and viewers for allowing him "a seat at the table."

Charles Krauthammer's legacy is marked by an unwavering dedication to ideas, a belief in the power of reasoned argument, and a rare ability to communicate complex thoughts with clarity and elegance. In an age often defined by noise and outrage, he offered a model of seriousness, decency, and intellectual courage.

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