Megyn Kelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Megyn Kelly
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Kelly in 2023
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Megyn Marie Kelly
November 18, 1970 Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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| Other names | Megyn Kendall |
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| Years active | 2003–present |
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| Political party | Independent (2008–present) |
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| Children | 3 |
Megyn Kelly (born November 18, 1970) is an American journalist, lawyer, and TV personality. She is known for hosting news and talk shows. Currently, she hosts The Megyn Kelly Show, a popular talk show and podcast on Sirius XM and YouTube.
Before her current show, Kelly worked at Fox News from 2004 to 2017. There, she hosted shows like America Live and The Kelly File. She also worked at NBC News from 2017 to 2018, where she anchored Megyn Kelly Today. In 2025, she started MK Media, a network for podcasts and videos. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in 2014 and 2025.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Megyn Kelly was born in Champaign, Illinois, on November 18, 1970. Her father, Edward Francis Kelly, was a professor, and her mother, Linda, was a homemaker. She grew up with an older sister, Suzanne, and an older brother, Pete. Her family moved to Delmar, New York, when she was nine. Her father passed away when she was 15.
Kelly went to Bethlehem Central High School. After high school, she studied political science at Syracuse University, graduating in 1992. She then went to Albany Law School, where she was an editor for the Albany Law Review. She earned her law degree in 1995.
After law school, Kelly worked as a lawyer in Chicago. She worked for law firms like Bickel & Brewer LLP and Jones Day. One of her clients was the credit company Experian.
Media Career Highlights
Starting in Media
In 2003, Kelly moved to Washington, D.C., and became a reporter for WJLA-TV, an ABC affiliate. She covered many important events, including court hearings for U.S. Supreme Court Justices. She also reported on the 2004 presidential election.
Working at Fox News (2004–2017)
Kelly joined Fox News in 2004. She often gave legal advice on shows and hosted her own segment called Kelly's Court. She also filled in as an anchor for other programs.
On February 1, 2010, Kelly started hosting her own two-hour show, America Live. This show became very popular, with its viewership growing by 20% in 2010.
Kelly gained attention for her reporting during the 2012 United States presidential election. When Fox News predicted that Barack Obama would win Ohio, some people, like Republican Karl Rove, disagreed. Kelly went backstage to the decision desk to understand how they made their prediction.
In October 2013, she started hosting a new nightly show called The Kelly File. This show often had the highest ratings on the channel.
In December 2013, Kelly discussed a Slate article about Santa Claus. She said her comments were "tongue-in-cheek" and meant as a lighthearted debate.
In 2015, Kelly interviewed Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar about their family. This interview drew a large audience.
During a Republican presidential debate in August 2015, Kelly asked then-candidate Donald Trump about his past comments about women. This 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 moderated.
In July 2016, there were reports that Kelly had also experienced issues with Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. Ailes later resigned from Fox News. Kelly's clothing during the 2016 Republican National Convention also received some comments, with supporters saying she wore weather-appropriate attire.
Time at NBC News (2017–2018)
In January 2017, Kelly left Fox News to join NBC News. Her new role included hosting a daytime talk show and a Sunday-night news program. She also became a correspondent for major news events.
On June 2, 2017, Kelly interviewed Russian president Vladimir Putin. This interview was part of the first episode of NBC's Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. Her daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, started in September 2017.
In October 2018, Kelly made comments on Megyn Kelly Today about blackface as part of Halloween costumes. She later apologized for her remarks. NBC canceled Megyn Kelly Today shortly after. Her employment with NBC ended in January 2019.
Independent Media (2020–Present)
In September 2020, Kelly launched her own media company, Devil May Care Media, and started her podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show. In July 2021, the podcast moved to Sirius XM and also became available as a video simulcast.
The Megyn Kelly Show has grown significantly. In July 2023, its YouTube channel had over 116 million views. As of January 2025, her YouTube channel has over 3.2 million subscribers, making her show one of the top podcasts in the U.S.
On December 6, 2023, Kelly returned to moderate the fourth 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 spoke about his policies on women's rights, border security, and immigration. She also posted a selfie with Trump on X (formerly Twitter).
On January 17, 2025, Kelly announced she would attend Trump's second inauguration and speak at his rally the night before. On February 18, 2025, she launched a second podcast, AM Update with Megyn Kelly, which summarizes daily headlines.
In March 2025, Kelly won the IHeartRadio podcast award for Best Political podcast. In May 2025, her podcast ranked 3rd among top right-wing podcasts by subscribers. She also launched MK Media in March 2025, a network producing news and entertainment programs.
Political Views
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Megyn Kelly has been an independent voter since 2008. She has voted for both Democrats and Republicans in the past.
In 2025, Kelly shared on her show that her political views have become more conservative. She explained that her experiences led her to see herself as conservative by today's standards.
After the 2018 Parkland shooting, Kelly criticized lawmakers for not passing effective gun reform. She expressed frustration that serious action often doesn't follow such tragedies.
In June 2023, Kelly explained that her views on "preferred pronouns" had changed. She now opposes them due to concerns about their connection to certain policies for young people. She also criticized the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports and spaces.
In April 2024, Kelly revealed she voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election and would vote for him again in 2024. She said her decision was based on issues like transgender topics and cultural changes affecting her children.
In October 2024, after Taylor Swift supported Kamala Harris, Kelly criticized Swift during an interview. She said Swift was "alienating half her fan base" by taking a side in the election.
Writing
In February 2016, 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
- In 2009, Kelly received an award from Childhelp for her reporting on child safety.
- She received an Alumni Achievement Award from the Albany Law School in 2010.
- She was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in 2014 and 2025.
- On September 26, 2015, Kelly was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bethlehem Central High School, her former school.
- On March 10, 2025, Kelly won the IHeartRadio podcast award for Best Political podcast.
Personal Life
Megyn Kelly was first married in 2001 to Daniel Kendall. Their marriage ended in 2006. In March 2024, Kelly shared that she was going through the process for a Catholic annulment of that marriage.
In 2008, Kelly married Douglas Brunt, who was then a CEO of a cybersecurity company. Brunt later became a full-time writer. They have three children: a son named Yates (born 2009), a daughter named Yardley (born 2011), and a son named Thatcher (born 2013). The family lives in Connecticut and spends summers in New Jersey.
Kelly is a lifelong Roman Catholic. She has attended events for conservative groups like Moms for Liberty and Turning Point USA. She has also shared that she has Raynaud's disease, a condition that affects blood flow to the fingers and toes.
In 2022, Kelly announced that her older sister, Suzanne Crossley, passed away from a heart attack.
See also
In Spanish: Megyn Kelly para niños
- New Yorkers in journalism
