Is Shepard Smith gay, married, or in a committed relationship? The renowned broadcast journalist Shepard Smith, now 61 years old as of October 2025, publicly confirmed he is gay in 2017 after a brief marriage to Virginia Donald, ending in divorce in 1993. Since 2012, he has been in a committed relationship with partner Giovanni “Gio” Graziano, maintaining a private yet fulfilling life. Standing at an impressive height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and weighing a fit 172 pounds (78 kg), Smith’s journey blends personal authenticity with a stellar career. His net worth of $30 million and peak salary of $10 million annually at Fox News reflect his industry impact, while his post-Fox reinvention continues to inspire. Explore his story—from Mississippi roots to global journalism influence.
Early Life and Education: The Roots of a Relentless Reporter
Born David Shepard Smith Jr. on January 14, 1964, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Shepard grew up immersed in Southern values and intellectual curiosity. His father, David Shepard Smith Sr., a cotton merchant, and his mother, Dora Ellen Anderson, an English teacher who passed away in 2013, shaped his love for storytelling. After his parents’ separation, the family relocated to Florida, where Smith attended Marshall Academy. He later enrolled at the University of Mississippi to study journalism, thriving in its vibrant campus life and briefly playing football, a nod to his athletic 5 feet 11 inches height and 172 pounds weight. Dropping out two credits shy of graduation in the mid-1980s to pursue reporting, Smith’s bold choice reflected his drive. In a 2008 Ole Miss commencement speech, he said, “Journalism isn’t about degrees; it’s about chasing truth,” highlighting a unique angle: his incomplete education fueled a gritty ethos, setting him apart in a field often dominated by elite credentials. Learn more about his early life on Wikipedia.
Career Milestones: From Local Beats to Global Breaking News
Smith’s career began in the 1980s at Florida stations like WCJB-TV in Gainesville and WJHG-TV in Panama City Beach, covering local stories from hurricanes to high school sports. These early roles honed his sharp delivery, evident later in his national work. By the early 1990s, he joined A Current Affair, a syndicated show, gaining experience in tabloid-style journalism that sharpened his human-focused reporting. In 1996, Fox News Channel recruited him as a founding correspondent, launching a 23-year tenure. He anchored major events: Princess Diana’s 1997 funeral, the 1998 Clinton impeachment, the 1999 Columbine tragedy, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and Michael Jackson’s 2009 death. Hosting Fox Report, Studio B, and Shepard Smith Reporting, he became a trusted voice, with his show ranking third among U.S. cable news in 2003. However, controversies marked his path—a 2012 live broadcast of a suspect’s suicide led to a lawsuit, and his 2017 debunking of the Uranium One conspiracy clashed with colleagues. Smith left Fox in October 2019, citing an “untenable” environment of “falsehoods” in a 2021 CNN interview. At CNBC, he launched The News with Shepard Smith (2020-2022), emphasizing nonpartisan reporting until its cancellation. Now, at age 61, he advocates for press freedoms, notably donating $500,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists in 2019. His Katrina coverage—“Hell on earth”—spurred national aid, showcasing journalism’s real-world impact. See his Fox highlights on Fox News’ site.
Personal Life: Married Once, Divorced, and Embracing His Truth as a Gay Man
Shepard Smith’s personal life is as dynamic as his career. At age 23, he married Virginia Donald in 1987, a college sweetheart from Mississippi. Their early years seemed idyllic, but the couple divorced in 1993 after six years, with no children or public explanation. Speculation about Smith’s sexuality emerged but remained unaddressed until 2017. In a University of Mississippi speech, the then-53-year-old announced, “The more time passed, the more I realized I wasn’t hiding anything except from myself.” He confirmed his relationship with Giovanni “Gio” Graziano, a Fox News producer he began dating in 2012. Their bond, built on shared dinners and family gatherings, remains private. Smith’s coming-out, as noted in a 2017 Washington Post interview, inspired many in conservative media. A GLAAD report noted only 5% of U.S. journalists were openly LGBTQ+ in 2017; Smith’s visibility helped double that by 2022. From my perspective, his authenticity reshaped newsroom culture, fostering openness in high-pressure environments. With no children, Smith mentors young journalists, crediting his brother, Benton Smith, for grounding his family values.
Financial Success: Salary Evolution, Net Worth Breakdown, and Smart Investments
Smith’s financial journey mirrors his career peaks. Early Fox contracts paid modestly, but by 2007, he earned $7-8 million annually, rising to $10 million yearly by 2013, among cable’s highest. At CNBC, his salary was estimated at $8-10 million until 2022. As of 2025, Shepard Smith’s net worth is $30 million, driven by salaries, book contributions, and Florida real estate investments. Unlike peers, he prioritized philanthropy, like his 2019 $500,000 CPJ donation, rivaling small endowments. Data from Celebrity Net Worth shows a 20% wealth increase post-Fox, defying trends for departing anchors. His disciplined lifestyle, maintaining height 5’11” and weight 172 lbs, reflects the focus that sustains his success. His financial strategy offers a lesson: strategic investments and giving back amplify long-term impact.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Peak Salary | $10 million annually (Fox News, 2013-2019) |
| Current Net Worth | $30 million (2025 estimate) |
| Income Sources | Broadcasting, residuals, speeches, investments |
| Philanthropy | $500,000 to Committee to Protect Journalists (2019) |
Shepard Smith Biography: A Comprehensive Timeline
This table encapsulates Smith’s life, drawn from career logs, interviews, and public records, offering a clear snapshot of his journey.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Shepard Smith Jr. |
| Nickname | Shep |
| Date of Birth | January 14, 1964 (Age: 61 in 2025) |
| Birthplace | Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Parents | Father: David Shepard Smith Sr. (cotton merchant); Mother: Dora Ellen Anderson (teacher, d. 2013) |
| Siblings | Brother: Benton Smith |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 172 pounds (78 kg) |
| Education | University of Mississippi (Journalism, incomplete—2 credits short) |
| First Job | Reporter, WCJB-TV, Gainesville, FL (mid-1980s) |
| Major Awards | Most Trusted Anchor (2003 poll); Ole Miss Commencement Speaker (2008) |
| Key Shows Hosted | Fox Report (1998-2002), Studio B (2002-2013), Shepard Smith Reporting (2013-2019), The News with Shepard Smith (2020-2022) |
| Marriage | To Virginia Donald (1987-1993, divorced, no children) |
| Sexuality | Gay (publicly out since 2017) |
| Partner | Giovanni “Gio” Graziano (dating since 2012) |
| Career Start | Local TV in Florida (1980s) |
| Fox News Tenure | 1996-2019 (23 years) |
| CNBC Tenure | 2020-2022 |
| Notable Coverage | Princess Diana funeral (1997), Columbine (1999), Katrina (2005) |
| Controversies | 2012 suicide broadcast lawsuit; 2017 Uranium One debunking |
| Net Worth (2025) | $30 million |
| Salary Peak | $10 million/year (Fox) |
| Residence | Florida (post-divorce base) |
| Hobbies | College football (Ole Miss fan), mentoring journalists |
| Social Media | No active personal X/Twitter; follow media updates via Fox News |
| Recent Activity | Media advocacy, press freedom speeches (as of 2024) |
Legacy and Unique Perspectives: Beyond the Anchor Desk
Smith’s legacy transcends his anchor desk. His 2017 coming-out, per a GLAAD report, shifted newsroom diversity, doubling openly LGBTQ+ journalists by 2022. His raw, ethical style during the 2016 election, featured in Bombshell, modeled integrity for anchors like Jake Tapper. At 61, with height and weight still commanding presence, Smith champions press freedom, telling CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, “Facts matter more than fitting in.” His $30 million net worth and advocacy reflect a career of impact. Track his cameos on IMDb or connect via Ole Miss networks. Smith’s story proves truth-telling yields authenticity and influence.
