Joan Lunden Net Worth

What is Joan Lunden's Net Worth and Salary?

Joan Lunden is an American television host, author, and journalist who has a net worth of $25 million. John Lunden is probably best known for co-hosting "Good Morning America" from 1980 to 1997. Over a career spanning five decades, she became one of the most recognizable and trusted figures in morning television, admired for her warmth, professionalism, and ability to connect with viewers.

Lunden began her broadcasting career in California, working as a news anchor and reporter for KCRA-TV in Sacramento. Her poise and on-air presence caught the attention of ABC, which hired her in 1976 as a feature correspondent for "Good Morning America." She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming co-host in 1980 alongside David Hartman. For the next 17 years, Lunden helped guide the program through a golden era, balancing hard news, human-interest stories, and celebrity interviews. During her tenure, she reported from more than 25 countries, covered six presidents, and anchored major global events such as the Olympics and royal weddings.

After leaving "Good Morning America" in 1997, Lunden remained active in television and publishing. She hosted the A&E series "Behind Closed Doors," appeared as a special correspondent on several networks, and wrote multiple bestselling books on health, parenting, and personal growth. A breast cancer survivor, she became an outspoken advocate for early detection and patient education, sharing her own diagnosis and treatment journey publicly to raise awareness.

In addition to her broadcasting and advocacy work, Lunden built a successful brand as a motivational speaker and health expert, launching ventures in wellness and senior care. Her career reflects an enduring commitment to informing and empowering audiences, earning her numerous honors, including induction into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. Joan Lunden remains a pioneering figure in American journalism and a role model for women in media.

Early Life

Joan Lunden was born Joan Elise Blunden on September 19, 1950, in Fair Oaks, California, part of Sacramento County. Her father, Erle, was a cancer surgeon who died in a plane crash when Joan was 13 years old, and her mother, Gladyce, passed away in 2013. Lunden's older brother, Jeff, died in 2007. Joan graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with a Liberal Arts degree and later attended Universidad de Las Americas in Mexico City to study anthropology and Spanish. Her broadcasting career began at KCRA-TV in Sacramento in 1973. She started out as a trainee in the news department, and within two years, she was a weather girl (Sacramento's first), anchor, and reporter for the station.

Early Broadcasting Career

In 1975, Joan Lunden moved to New York City to join WABC-TV's "Eyewitness News" team. Around that time, she decided to change her last name from Blunden to Lunden "to avoid being called 'Blunder.'" Her professionalism and confident on-camera presence quickly earned her greater responsibilities, and by 1976 she was co-anchoring the station's weekend newscasts. That same year, Lunden joined ABC's national morning show "Good Morning America" as a feature and consumer reporter, marking the beginning of what would become her defining professional chapter.

"Good Morning America"

Lunden's big break came when she filled in for co-host Sandy Hill, who had left the program to cover the 1976 Winter Olympics. Her performance impressed ABC executives, and by 1980 she was promoted to full-time co-host. Paired first with David Hartman and later with Charles Gibson, Lunden became one of the most familiar and trusted faces in American television. Her warmth, intelligence, and journalistic skill helped "Good Morning America" become the top-rated morning program throughout much of the 1980s.

During her 17-year tenure, Lunden reported from more than 25 countries and interviewed numerous U.S. presidents, including Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. She covered major global events such as the 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympic Games and the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. Lunden's ability to combine hard news with personal storytelling became a hallmark of the show's success.

Departure from GMA

Lunden's run on "Good Morning America" came to an end in September 1997. Although she initially announced that she was leaving to spend more time with her family, she later revealed that ABC executives had forced her out, citing her age. Reflecting on the transition, she said, "The words are, 'We've decided to make a change on the show,' and so they found a 30-year-old version of me." Despite the abrupt exit, Lunden left as one of the most successful morning show hosts in television history. She was replaced by Lisa McRee. Lisa and Charles Gibson struggled to match the previous show's success, and both were replaced in 1999 by Diane Sawyer and Kevin Newman.

Contracts, Salaries & Career Earnings

By the late 1980s, Joan Lunden had become one of the highest-paid personalities in morning television. As "Good Morning America" battled NBC's "Today" for dominance, ABC News rewarded her with increasingly lucrative contracts to ensure her loyalty. Industry reports from the era placed her salary in the $1 million to $2 million per year range, a figure that reflected both her popularity and her critical role in maintaining the show's strong ratings. At her peak in the mid-1990s, Lunden was reportedly earning around $2 million annually, roughly equivalent to $4–$5 million today.

When ABC decided to replace her in 1997, Lunden later revealed that she had been under contract at the time and was effectively bought out. Though she initially announced her departure as a personal decision to spend more time with family, she later confirmed that network executives forced the change, citing her age. The move sparked discussion about gender and age discrimination in broadcast journalism, and it became one of the most talked-about network shake-ups of the decade.

After leaving ABC, Lunden continued to command strong compensation through a mix of hosting, production, and media ventures. Her work on A&E's "Behind Closed Doors" reportedly paid her a mid–six-figure salary, and she expanded her income through books, speaking engagements, and brand partnerships. Over the years, her corporate keynote fees and health advocacy work—particularly as a spokesperson for organizations like A Place for Mom—have allowed her to maintain multimillion-dollar annual earnings long after her morning show career ended.

Later Television Work

Following her departure from ABC, Lunden continued to appear frequently on television. She hosted "Behind Closed Doors" from 1996 to 2001, a series that began as primetime specials on ABC before becoming a regular program on A&E. She also guest-hosted A&E's "Biography" and later hosted "Hometown Heroes" for DirecTV and "Health Corner" on Lifetime.

In 2007, she hosted the documentary "America's Invisible Children: The Homeless Education Crisis in America," which earned a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special. Earlier in her career, she had served as a host for several major televised events, including ABC's broadcast of Pasadena's Rose Parade (1989–1991) and the Walt Disney World Christmas and Easter parades from 1983 through 1996.

Advocacy, Public Speaking, and Teaching

Beyond broadcasting, Lunden became a respected advocate and entrepreneur. She has served as a spokesperson for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and for the senior care referral service A Place for Mom. Her passion for women's health and well-being led her to create Camp Reveille in Naples, Maine, described as "a haven for multi-tasking women to focus on their well-being in one of the most serene, peaceful, and enjoyable environments imaginable."

Lunden has also shared her experience with the next generation of journalists and health communicators as a visiting professor at Lehigh University, where she has taught courses in "Population Health and the Media." Through her work as a teacher, author, and public speaker, she continues to influence both the media industry and the broader conversation around health, balance, and resilience.

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Personal Life

Joan Lunden married television producer Michael A. Krauss on September 10, 1978. The couple had three daughters—Jamie, Lindsay, and Sarah—before divorcing in 1992. Upon marrying Krauss, Lunden converted to Judaism, a faith she has continued to identify with throughout her life.

On April 18, 2000, she married Jeff Konigsberg, the owner of Camp Takajo in Naples, Maine. Together they welcomed two sets of twins via surrogate: Kate and Max in 2003, followed by Jack and Kim in 2005. Their surrogate, Deborah Bolig, remained an important figure in the family's journey, and Lunden became a public advocate for normalizing surrogacy as a legitimate and compassionate path to parenthood. Writing on her official website in 2009, she said, "There are thousands of couples struggling in this country, trying to have babies. Surrogacy can now be a safe and viable option for them… I want women to feel as though they can choose this option without any stigma."

In 2014, Lunden was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. She underwent a lumpectomy to remove two tumors, followed by 16 rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation. Nine months after her diagnosis, she was declared cancer-free. Her openness about her experience helped raise awareness and inspire other women facing similar challenges. In 2015, she launched the streaming network "Alive with Joan Lunden," dedicated to women's health, cancer education, and survivorship support.

Camp Takajo and Camp Reveille

Beyond her broadcasting career, Joan Lunden has deep ties to the world of summer camps through her husband, Jeff Konigsberg, the longtime owner and director of Camp Takajo in Naples, Maine. Founded in 1947, Camp Takajo is one of the country's most respected all-boys camps, known for its emphasis on character development, outdoor adventure, and community values. Lunden became closely involved with the camp after marrying Konigsberg in 2000, often spending summers there with their family. Inspired by the camp's spirit of renewal and connection, she launched her own program nearby called Camp Reveille in 2008—a four-day women's retreat designed to promote health, relaxation, and self-care. Set on the same scenic lakeside property, Camp Reveille offers yoga, kayaking, workshops, and wellness sessions, providing a nurturing escape for women balancing busy professional and family lives. Together, the two camps reflect Lunden's lifelong passion for education, empowerment, and personal growth in a natural, restorative setting.

Real Estate

In May 2005, Joan and Jeff Konisberg paid $4.8 million for a mansion set on two acres in Greenwich, Connecticut. They continue to own this home, and today it is worth around $8 million.

Awards and Nominations

Joan Lunden's career has been recognized with numerous honors for excellence in broadcasting, journalism, and public service. In 2017, she received the National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award, one of the industry's highest honors. Earlier, in 2011, her program "Taking Care with Joan Lunden" earned the Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Talk Show – Entertainment/Information.

At the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Lunden was presented with the Warrior Award, honoring her advocacy and courage during her cancer battle. In her acceptance speech, she said, "After being diagnosed with cancer, my first thought was to survive, but soon after, I changed my focus from my cancer to the fight against cancer, and my life took on a whole new purpose."

Throughout her career, Lunden has been nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Class Program for "Good Morning America" and received three CableACE Award nominations for her special "Mother's Day"—two for Informational Host (1985 and 1987) and one for Program Hostess (1984).

Her additional honors include the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Spirit of Achievement Award, the YWCA Outstanding Woman's Award, the National Women's Political Caucus Award, Baylor University's Outstanding Woman of the Year Award, the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights Award, and the Matrix Award from the New York Association for Women in Communications. Collectively, these recognitions reflect Lunden's enduring influence as both a trailblazing broadcaster and an advocate for women's empowerment and health awareness.

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