Don Lemon, an influential American journalist and TV news anchor, boasts a net worth of $20 million. He is widely recognized for his role as a former lead anchor at CNN, where he hosted Don Lemon Tonight from 2014 to 2022. Originally known as CNN Tonight from its inception, the show concluded in October 2022. Before his departure, Don transitioned to co-hosting CNN’s morning show. However, on April 24, 2023, Lemon was let go from CNN after 17 years. Following his termination, CNN reportedly paid him a settlement of $24.5 million, which covered the remainder of his contract.
Lemon’s career with CNN earned him widespread recognition, including three prestigious Emmy awards. As an influential figure, he has been acknowledged as one of the most notable African American and LGBTQ+ personalities in broadcasting, contributing significantly to both communities.
Salary and Settlement from CNN
Don Lemon’s salary at CNN peaked at $7 million annually. This figure became widely known after the $24.5 million settlement was reported in February 2024. This settlement was calculated based on the remaining 3.5 years of his contract, equating to an average of $7 million per year. His earnings from CNN reflect both his prominence and the network’s investment in his high-profile role.
Post-CNN Deal with Twitter
After parting ways with CNN, Don Lemon secured a deal with Elon Musk’s Twitter, promising a base salary of $1.5 million annually, along with a portion of the platform’s ad revenue. However, the agreement quickly fell apart following a controversial interview. In the interview, Lemon questioned Musk about his alleged drug use and plans for content moderation on the site. Musk was reportedly displeased with the interaction, leading to the immediate cancellation of the contract. Subsequently, Lemon filed a breach of contract lawsuit in August 2024, targeting both Musk and Twitter.
Early Life and Education
Don Lemon was born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, into a Creole family. He enjoyed a leadership role in high school, where he was elected class president. In a public revelation in 2010, Lemon shared that he had been sexually molested at the age of five, an experience he did not disclose until he was in his thirties.
Lemon pursued higher education first at Louisiana State University, later transferring to Brooklyn College in New York to study journalism. While attending college, he gained practical experience working as a news assistant at a Fox News affiliate station in New York, which laid the foundation for his career in broadcasting.
Career Beginnings
Lemon’s journalism career began before he graduated, with his first professional roles at various Fox News affiliates. He then worked as a correspondent for NBC in Philadelphia and Chicago. His initial reporting jobs in Birmingham, Alabama, and Pennsylvania were followed by roles as a weekend news anchor and investigative reporter in St. Louis.
In 2002, his work earned him an Edward R. Murrow Award for coverage of the D.C. sniper attacks and for his reporting on Hurricane Katrina. His success continued at NBC News, where he appeared on Today and NBC Nightly News and anchored Weekend Today on MSNBC.
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Embracing National Recognition
Lemon’s career trajectory took another leap in 2003 when he moved to Chicago to work at the NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV. His impactful stories, including a business feature on Craigslist and reports on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, earned him three Emmy awards. These accolades further solidified his reputation as a respected journalist.
In 2006, Don Lemon joined CNN, where he would later become known for his outspoken views, deviating from the traditional journalistic approach. His forthright commentary and candid opinions on various topics, particularly political matters, attracted both attention and controversy. Throughout his tenure, Lemon often made headlines for his bold, sometimes contentious statements and was even the target of several death threats.
Departure from CNN and Personal Views
After facing several controversies and declining ratings, Don Lemon was dismissed from CNN on April 24, 2023. His tenure was marked by increasingly direct and opinionated coverage, especially after the 2016 presidential election. Lemon became known for his vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump, accusing him of being racist and fostering white supremacy. He also ridiculed Trump’s supporters during the 2020 election cycle, a move that sparked backlash from some audiences.
In one infamous moment, Lemon and guests mocked Trump supporters by adopting exaggerated Southern accents. His subsequent laughter, which some deemed unprofessional, intensified criticism. Ivanka Trump responded by pointing out that Lemon was contributing to the country’s division.
Public Announcement of His Sexuality
In 2011, Don Lemon made headlines when he publicly came out as gay. In his memoir, Transparent, he reflected on his sexuality, sharing that he had known he was gay since a young age but had kept it private until then. His decision to disclose his sexual orientation made him one of the few openly gay African Americans in the broadcasting industry. The revelation resonated with many in the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who could relate to his experience in a high-profile career.
In 2017, Lemon began a relationship with Tim Malone, a real estate agent. The couple got engaged in 2019, marking a significant milestone in his personal life.
Legal Matters
In 2019, Don Lemon was involved in a legal dispute when a bartender named Dustin Hice accused him of assaulting him in 2018. According to Hice, Lemon made inappropriate gestures and shoved his fingers in the bartender’s face. Lemon has strongly denied these allegations, and attempts to settle out of court were reported, though no resolution had been reached at the time.
Real Estate Ventures
Don Lemon has also made his mark in the real estate market. In 2020, he listed his Harlem condo for $1.75 million. The 1,400-square-foot property featured two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, along with a large balcony that offered panoramic views of the city. Lemon had purchased the property seven years earlier for $1.5 million, indicating that the sale would likely be a small profit or a break-even transaction.
Additionally, Lemon owns a home in Sag Harbor, in the Hamptons, which he bought in 2016 for $3 million. The property, valued at approximately $4.5 million today, adds to his substantial real estate portfolio.
Don Lemon’s journey from a young, aspiring journalist to a prominent TV anchor is marked by significant achievements, controversies, and public moments of vulnerability. With a net worth of $20 million and a career that spanned multiple decades, Lemon has solidified himself as an influential figure in both journalism and public discourse. His story reflects the challenges and triumphs of a man who has continuously sought to break barriers in the media world while staying true to his beliefs.
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