Billy Bush, a well-known American radio and television personality, has an estimated net worth of $16 million. Throughout his career, he built a name for himself through his work on NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and as a correspondent for the “Today Show.” However, his career faced a major setback in 2016 when a controversial tape from 2005, featuring a conversation with Donald Trump, led to his departure from NBC. Despite this, Billy made a comeback in 2019 as the host of “Extra,” continuing his journey in the entertainment world.
Billy Bush’s Salary and Financials
At present, Billy Bush earns an annual salary of approximately $3 million for hosting “Extra.” Following his exit from NBC in 2016, rumors circulated about a potential $10 million exit package. However, Billy’s lawyer quickly debunked these claims, stating that the figure was false and that negotiations with NBC were still ongoing.
Early Life and Background
Billy Bush was born William Hall Bush on October 13, 1971, in Manhattan, New York. He hails from a prominent political family, with his father, Jonathan Bush, and uncle, George H.W. Bush, having notable political careers. Growing up, Billy attended prestigious schools such as St. Bernard’s School in Manhattan and St. George’s School in Rhode Island. He later graduated from Colby College in 1994 with a degree in international studies and government. During his time at Colby College, he was an accomplished athlete, serving as a four-year letterman and two-time co-captain of the men’s lacrosse team.
The Decision to Enter Entertainment
Though Billy could have followed in the footsteps of his political relatives, he chose a different path in the entertainment industry. His career began in radio, where he hosted the afternoon show on WLKZ-FM in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, before moving to Washington, D.C. There, he hosted the midday show on WARW-FM. In 1997, Billy made his mark with the local morning radio show, “Billy Bush and the Bush League.” This exposure led to his television debut in 2001 as a correspondent on “Extra.”
Building a Career in Television
Billy’s charisma quickly earned him a place in the spotlight. In January 2003, he hosted a short-lived NBC prime-time version of “Let’s Make a Deal.” At the same time, he worked as a correspondent for WNBC-TV’s “Today in New York.” His big break came when he was invited to contribute segments to NBC’s “Today Show.” By the end of 2003, he became a full-time correspondent for “Access Hollywood.” His popularity soared as he confidently interviewed celebrities and engaged in humorous and sometimes outrageous banter.
Billy’s role at “Access Hollywood” grew, and by 2004, he had become the show’s co-anchor. His bold interviewing style, which included playful interactions with celebrities like Victoria’s Secret models and Penélope Cruz, set him apart from other hosts. He further cemented his reputation by covering major events such as the Olympics, where he was part of NBC’s coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Expanding His Television Career
Beyond “Access Hollywood,” Billy’s career continued to flourish with multiple hosting opportunities. In 2007, he co-hosted the Broadway reality series “Grease: You’re the One That I Want.” The following year, he filled in for Meredith Vieira as the host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” during her brief absence. Billy also launched his own radio show, “The Billy Bush Show,” in 2008. The nightly entertainment show aired in Los Angeles and focused on celebrity news and interviews.
Billy’s versatility as a host led him to co-host “Access Hollywood Live” alongside Kit Hoover in 2010. The show, which covered trending topics and featured celebrity interviews, proved to be another successful venture for Billy. Additionally, he and Hoover traveled to the UK to cover Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011.
Controversy and Setback in 2016
In October 2016, Billy’s career faced a major blow when a video from 2005 surfaced showing him and then-presidential candidate Donald Trump making lewd comments about women. The conversation, filmed while Billy and Trump were on the set of “Access Hollywood,” caused a massive public backlash. The comments included crude remarks about groping women, which Billy appeared to laugh along with at the time. This led to a media frenzy, with paparazzi swarming Billy’s home and airports.
In the wake of the controversy, Billy was suspended from “The Today Show” on October 9, 2016. By October 17, he was officially fired from NBC. His salary at the time was $3 million. In the months following, Billy became part of the public discourse, with Trump dismissing the voice on the tape as not his own. Billy, however, reaffirmed that the voice was indeed Trump’s in a December 2017 op-ed for The New York Times.
Billy Bush’s Return to Television
Despite the fallout from the 2016 controversy, Billy made a comeback in 2019 when he was hired to host the entertainment news show “Extra.” He replaced Mario Lopez as the host starting with the show’s 26th season. This return to television marked a new chapter in his career, allowing him to re-establish himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Billy Bush married Sydney Davis in April 1998. The couple had three daughters together, but they separated in September 2016. After several years of difficulty, Billy and Sydney finalized their divorce on July 15, 2018, citing irreconcilable differences. Despite the personal challenges, Billy has remained focused on his professional career and his role as a father.
Real Estate Ventures
Billy Bush has also made notable real estate moves throughout his career. In 2017, he sold a townhouse in New York City for $8 million, although he had purchased it just two years earlier for $8.8 million. In 2019, Billy listed his primary residence in Encino, California, for $5.395 million. He had purchased the 5,400-square-foot home in 2004 for $3.05 million. However, the property was removed from the market in July 2020, leaving its sale in limbo.
Billy Bush’s career has been marked by a mixture of triumphs and controversies. From his early days in radio to his rise as a television personality, Billy built a successful career in the entertainment industry. Despite facing a major setback in 2016, he has managed to rebuild his career and continues to make waves as the host of “Extra.” With a net worth of $16 million, Billy’s journey in the spotlight shows the resilience required to navigate the ever-changing world of entertainment.
