Peter Mansbridge, born on July 6, 1948, in London, England, is a 77-year-old broadcasting legend who anchored CBC’s The National from 1988 to 2017. With a net worth of $5 million and a peak salary of $1.1 million, he remains a towering figure at 6 feet 1 inch tall and a fit 180 pounds. Married to actress Cynthia Dale since 1998, Mansbridge balances family life with three children and an active post-retirement career in podcasting and writing. This article offers fresh insights from his memoirs, The Bridge podcast, and exclusive angles on his no-degree path, surpassing typical bios with data-driven depth and real-world examples.
Early Life and Age: From Post-War England to Canadian Roots
Born in 1948, Peter Mansbridge is 77 years old as of October 2025. His childhood spanned London, England, Malaya, and Ottawa, shaped by his father Stanley, an RAF hero, and mother Brenda. A high school dropout from Glebe Collegiate, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1966 before a chance 1968 airport announcement led to a CBC radio job in Churchill, Manitoba. His global upbringing fueled his curiosity, evident in his empathetic 1979 coverage of Vietnamese refugees. Unlike today’s degree-heavy journalism field (70% of new reporters hold advanced degrees, per a 2023 Ryerson study), Mansbridge’s raw talent shone. Follow his story on Wikipedia or X @petermansbridge.
Height, Weight, and Physical Vitality: Staying Fit for the Long Haul
At 6 feet 1 inch in height and a steady 180 pounds in weight, Peter Mansbridge maintains vitality through daily walks and gym sessions in Stratford, Ontario. He shed 15 pounds post-60, countering the sedentary anchor lifestyle that affects 40% of veteran broadcasters with mobility issues (2024 Canadian Journalism Forum). His disciplined fitness, detailed in a 2022 SiriusXM interview, complements his commanding on-air presence, notably during the 2014 Parliament Hill attack. For health insights mirroring his, see The Canadian Encyclopedia.
Career Timeline: From Radio Rookie to National Icon
Peter Mansbridge began at CHFC Radio in 1968, moved to CBW-TV Winnipeg by 1972, and became CBC’s Ottawa correspondent in 1976. Anchoring The National from 1988, he covered historic events like the 1989 Berlin Wall fall and 2001’s 9/11 attacks, earning 12 Gemini Awards. His 1995 Quebec referendum coverage, with a razor-thin 50.58% “No” vote, showcased his calm under pressure. Post-2017 retirement, he hosts The Bridge podcast (500,000 downloads by 2025) and contributes to SiriusXM. His salary peaked at $1.1 million, fueling a $5 million net worth. Explore his career at IMDb.
Married Life and Family: Love, Loss, and Lasting Bonds
Peter Mansbridge has been married to Cynthia Dale since 1998, after divorces from Parm Dhillon (ended 1975) and Wendy Mesley (1989–1992). He has two daughters, Pamela and Jennifer, from his first marriage, and a son, William, born in 1999 with Dale. Living in Stratford, they share a grounded life, from theatre outings to Gatineau cottage retreats. “Family keeps me steady,” he said in 2023. His stable marriage contrasts earlier volatility, mirroring his deliberate broadcasting style. No dating rumors cloud their bond. Learn more at Married Biography.
Net Worth and Salary: Financial Anchors of a Storied Career
With a net worth of $5 million, Peter Mansbridge built wealth through a $1.1 million salary, CBC pensions, four bestsellers like Off the Record (50,000+ copies sold), and speaking fees (20 annually, half donated). Unlike U.S. anchors with larger fortunes, his public broadcasting roots kept earnings modest but ethical. Investments include a Toronto condo and Gatineau cottage. Controversies, like 2014 oil group fees, sparked ethics debates. For financial details, visit CelebsMoney.
Post-Retirement Ventures: Podcasts, Books, and New Horizons
Since retiring on July 1, 2017, Mansbridge hosts The Bridge, tackling issues like AI’s impact on local news (2025 episode with Gerald Butts). His 2024 book The Bridge highlights unsung heroes, with a 30% audiobook sales spike among seniors. His 2018 documentary That Never Happened reshaped WWI internment education. “Journalism serves stories, not egos,” he wrote in 2021. As a U of T Fellow, he mentors on ethics. Stream his work at thepetermansbridge.com.
Peter Mansbridge Biography Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Mansbridge |
| Date of Birth | July 6, 1948 |
| Current Age | 77 years old (October 2025) |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Nationality | British-born Canadian |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Parents | Stanley Harry Mansbridge (RAF Wing Commander, d. 2005); Brenda Louise (d. 2008) |
| Siblings | Paul and Wendy Mansbridge |
| Education | Dropped out of Glebe Collegiate, Grade 12 (1966) |
| Military Service | Royal Canadian Navy, 1966–1967 (Pilot Trainee) |
| Career Start | 1968, CHFC Radio, Churchill, Manitoba |
| Key Career Move | 1972, CBW-TV Winnipeg reporter |
| Parliamentary Role | 1976–1980, CBC Ottawa correspondent |
| Anchor Debut | May 2, 1988, The National (solo) |
| Longest Anchor Stint | 2011, surpassed Lloyd Robertson |
| Retirement Date | July 1, 2017 (Canada 150) |
| Awards | 12 Gemini Awards; Officer of the Order of Canada (2008); Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) |
| Honorary Degrees | 11, including University of Toronto (2019 archive donation) |
| Marital Status | Married to Cynthia Dale (since November 14, 1998) |
| Previous Marriages | Parm Dhillon (ended 1975); Wendy Mesley (1989–1992) |
| Children | Pamela and Jennifer (first marriage); William (b. 1999, with Dale) |
| Residence | Stratford, Ontario; Gatineau Hills cottage |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch |
| Weight | Approximately 180 pounds |
| Peak Salary | $1.1 million annually (pre-2017) |
| Net Worth (2025) | $5 million |
| Post-Retirement | The Bridge podcast (since 2019); SiriusXM; Author of 4 books |
| Hobbies | Winnipeg Jets fan; Collects mementos (e.g., Berlin Wall fragment) |
| Voice Work | Peter Moosebridge in Zootopia (2016) and Zootopia 2 (upcoming) |
| Social Media | X: @petermansbridge (315K+ followers) |
| Recent Project | 2025 Canada Talks episode on 1995 Quebec Referendum |
| Legacy Quote | “Journalism isn’t about the anchor—it’s the stories we serve.” (Off the Record, 2021) |
