Megyn Kelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Megyn Kelly
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Kelly in 2024
|
|
| Born |
Megyn Marie Kelly
November 18, 1970 Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
|
| Other names | Megyn Kendall |
| Education |
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Employer | |
|
Notable work
|
|
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 3 |
Megyn Kelly (born November 18, 1970) is an American journalist, lawyer, and media personality. She is well-known for hosting her own talk show and podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, which is available on Sirius XM and has many followers on YouTube.
Before starting her own show, Kelly worked at Fox News from 2004 to 2017. There, she hosted popular programs like America Live and The Kelly File. She also worked at NBC News from 2017 to 2018, where she anchored Megyn Kelly Today. In 2014, she was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people.
Contents
Megyn Kelly's Early Life and School Years
Megyn Kelly was born in Champaign, Illinois, on November 18, 1970. Her father, Edward Francis Kelly, was a teacher, and her mother, Linda, was a homemaker. She grew up with an older sister and an older brother. Her family moved to Delmar, New York, when she was nine.
She went to Bethlehem Central High School. After high school, Kelly studied political science at Syracuse University, graduating in 1992. She then earned a law degree from Albany Law School in 1995. Before becoming a journalist, Kelly worked as a lawyer for several years.
Megyn Kelly's Media Career
Starting Her Career in TV News
In 2003, Megyn Kelly began her career in television news. She moved to Washington, D.C., and started working as a reporter for WJLA-TV, an ABC channel. She covered important national and local events. These included court hearings for U.S. Supreme Court judges and the 2004 presidential election.
Working at Fox News (2004–2017)
In 2004, Kelly joined Fox News. She often shared her legal knowledge on shows like Special Report with Brit Hume and hosted her own legal segment called Kelly's Court. She also filled in as an anchor sometimes.
On February 1, 2010, Kelly started hosting her own show, America Live. This show became very popular, with its viewership growing significantly. In 2013, she left America Live and began hosting a new nightly program called The Kelly File. This show often had the highest ratings on the channel.
During the Republican presidential debate in August 2015, Kelly asked then-candidate Donald Trump tough questions. Her questions led to a lot of discussion in the media. Kelly stated she would not "apologize for doing good journalism." Trump later chose not to attend a debate she was moderating.
Moving to NBC News (2017–2018)
In January 2017, Megyn Kelly left Fox News to join NBC News. She took on a "triple role" there. This included hosting a daytime talk show, a Sunday-night news program, and working as a correspondent for major news events. Her Sunday show, Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly, premiered in June 2017 with an interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Her daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, started in September 2017. In October 2018, Kelly made some comments on air about blackface for Halloween costumes that caused controversy. She later apologized for her remarks. On October 26, 2018, NBC canceled Megyn Kelly Today. Her employment with NBC ended in January 2019.
Her Independent Media Journey (2021–Present)
On September 10, 2020, Kelly launched her own media company, Devil May Care Media. She started a podcast called The Megyn Kelly Show. This podcast later moved to Sirius XM in September 2021. It broadcasts daily and also has a video version for subscribers.
The Megyn Kelly Show has grown a lot since she became independent. In July 2023, its YouTube channel had over 116 million views. As of January 2025, her YouTube channel has more than 3.2 million subscribers. It has become one of the top ten podcasts in the U.S.
In December 2023, Kelly returned to moderate a Republican primary debate on NewsNation. This was her first time moderating a presidential debate since her time at Fox News. On November 4, 2024, Kelly publicly supported Donald Trump at a rally in Pittsburgh. She later posted a selfie with him on X. She also announced she would attend Trump's second inauguration in January 2025.
Megyn Kelly's Political Views
Megyn Kelly considers herself an independent voter. This means she doesn't belong to a specific political party. She has voted for both Democrats and Republicans in the past.
After the 2018 Parkland shooting, Kelly spoke out about the need for lawmakers to take action on gun reform. She expressed frustration that serious changes often don't happen after mass shootings.
In June 2023, Kelly shared that her views on "preferred pronouns" had changed. She explained her concerns about their connection to gender-affirming care for young people. She also criticized the inclusion of transgender women in women’s spaces and sports.
In April 2024, Kelly said she voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election and would vote for him again in 2024. She explained that her decision was based on issues like "trans ideology" and cultural changes that she felt were affecting her children.
Megyn Kelly's Book
In February 2016, Megyn Kelly signed a deal with HarperCollins to write her autobiography. The book, titled Settle for More, was released on November 15, 2016.
Awards and Recognition for Megyn Kelly
- In 2009, Kelly received an award from Childhelp for her reporting on child abuse.
- She was honored by the Albany Law School in 2010.
- In 2014, she was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine.
- In September 2015, she was added to the Hall of Fame at Bethlehem Central High School, her old school.
Megyn Kelly's Personal Life
Megyn Kelly was first married in 2001 to Daniel Kendall. Their marriage ended in 2006. In 2008, Kelly married Douglas Brunt, who is now a writer.
Megyn and Douglas have three children: a son named Yates (born 2009), a daughter named Yardley (born 2011), and another son named Thatcher (born 2013). The family lives in Connecticut and spends summers in New Jersey.
Kelly is a lifelong Catholic. She has also spoken openly about her health, including having Raynaud's disease. In 2022, she shared that her older sister, Suzanne Crossley, passed away from a heart attack.
See also
In Spanish: Megyn Kelly para niños
- New Yorkers in journalism
