Tucker Carlson, a former American television host, political commentator, author, and social media personality, is renowned for his controversial perspectives on a range of topics, including immigration, race, white supremacy, COVID-19, and the 2020 presidential election.
From 2016 to 2023, he held the role of host on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight until his termination, prompted by a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems.
Subsequently, he transitioned to Twitter, where he introduced a weekly program titled Tucker on X, amassing a substantial viewership and follower base.
This article delves into Tucker Carlson’s life and professional journey, exploring not only his accomplishments but also the controversies and scandals that have surrounded him. His net worth, ratings, education, and familial ties will also be examined.
Tucker Carlson’s Early Life
Born on May 16, 1969, in San Francisco, California, Tucker Carlson is the eldest child of Richard Warner Carlson, a former media executive and diplomat, and Lisa McNear Lombardi Carlson, an artist.
At the age of six, his mother left the family, eventually passing away in France in 2011.
Raised by his father and stepmother, Patricia Caroline Swanson—an heiress to the Swanson frozen food fortune—Tucker Carlson and his younger brother, Buckley Peck Carlson, navigated their upbringing.
Tucker Carlson attended St. George’s School, a private boarding school in Rhode Island, where he crossed paths with his future wife, Susan Andrews, the daughter of the school’s headmaster.
In 1991, he graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in history.
While initially aspiring to join the Central Intelligence Agency—an endeavor thwarted by rejection—he ultimately embraced a career in journalism, influenced by his father’s encouragement.
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Tucker Carlson’s Career as a Journalist and TV Host
Tucker Carlson began as a journalist in the early 1990s, contributing to magazines such as The Weekly Standard and The New Republic.
He also made appearances on CNN programs like Crossfire and The Spin Room.
In 2005, he left CNN following a clash with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.
Subsequently, he hosted Tucker on MSNBC until 2008 and Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered on PBS until 2005.
He joined Fox News in 2009 and assumed the role of co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend in 2012.
In 2016, he introduced Tucker Carlson Tonight, a show that resonated with a vast audience, amassing millions of devoted fans.
His perspectives, leaning conservative and populist, resonated on subjects such as immigration, race, COVID-19, and the 2020 election.
Conversations with prominent figures like Donald Trump, Ice Cube, Michael Wolff, and Edward Snowden characterized his show.
However, he also faced lawsuits and critique for disseminating misinformation, conspiracy theories, racism, sexism, homophobia, and hate speech.
His tenure at Fox News ended in 2023 due to his termination following a $787.5 million lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems.
The lawsuit alleged he had propagated falsehoods about their role in the 2020 election fraud.
Text messages revealed his skepticism towards the conspiracy theories he aired.
Tucker Carlson’s Transition to Twitter
Subsequent to his departure from Fox News, Tucker Carlson found a new platform on Twitter, where he launched Tucker on X in June 2023—a weekly show produced by X Studios, a division of Twitter established after Elon Musk‘s acquisition of the social media platform for $44 billion in May 2023.
The show features interviews with a diverse array of guests, commentary on prevailing events, and discussions on pertinent issues.
It swiftly garnered a vast audience and followers on Twitter, although not without courting controversy and criticism from certain quarters.
Tucker Carlson’s show tackled an array of subjects, ranging from Jeffrey Epstein’s demise and the Panama Canal to Joe Biden’s well-being and white nationalism.
He engaged guests including former President Donald Trump, rapper Kanye West, author J.D. Vance, and whistleblower Julian Assange.
Tucker Carlson’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Tucker Carlson’s net worth is estimated to be $30 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
His primary sources of income are derived from his roles as a television host, political commentator, author, and social media influencer.
He secured a lucrative book deal from Threshold Editions in 2017, reportedly amounting to an eight-figure sum.
Noteworthy among his published works are Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites:
- My Adventures in Cable News (2003).
- Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution (2017).
- Stone’s Rules: How to Win at Politics.
- Business, and Style (2018).
- The Long Slide: Thirty Years in American Journalism (2021).
Tucker Carlson’s Rating
Carlson consistently commanded high ratings throughout his career, with his stint at Fox News, in particular, marking a notable phase.
Tucker Carlson Tonight outperformed rivals such as CNN and MSNBC, even exerting considerable influence over former President Donald Trump, who was both a frequent viewer and guest.
Nielsen Media Research data for the week ending February 12, 2023, revealed that Tucker Carlson Tonight averaged 3.5 million viewers.
Moreover, the show attracted 490,000 viewers from the coveted 25-54 age demographic, appealing to national advertisers.
Tucker Carlson’s Education Background
Tucker Carlson holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, which he attained in 1991.
Additionally, he attended St. George’s School, a private boarding school in Rhode Island.
Tucker Carlson’s personal life
Tucker Carlson’s personal life centers around his marriage to Susan Andrews Carlson and their four children—daughters and son-
- Hopie.
- Lillie.
- Dorothy
- Buckley Carlson.
Their marriage began in 1991, following an engagement six months before Tucker’s college graduation.
He affectionately referred to Susan as “the cutest 10th grader in America,” sharing that he fell in love with her at first sight.
Proudly, Tucker Carlson has proclaimed his marital bond as the achievement he holds in highest regard.
Conclusion
Tucker Carlson’s identity is encapsulated by his role as a former American television host, political commentator, author, and social media influencer.
His provocative viewpoints spanning subjects like immigration, race, white supremacy, COVID-19, and the 2020 presidential election gained him widespread recognition.
Holding the position of host on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight from 2016 to 2023, his tenure concluded with his dismissal amidst a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems.
His subsequent move to Twitter marked the launch of Tucker on X, a weekly show that rapidly amassed a substantial following.
Moreover, his net worth, viewership ratings, educational background, and familial ties contribute to a multifaceted portrait of his life and accomplishments.
Facts about Tucker Carlson
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tucker Carlson |
| Birth Date | May 16, 1969 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California |
| Profession | Television host, political commentator, author, social media personality |
| Notable Show | Tucker Carlson Tonight (Fox News) |
| Early Career | Journalist in the early 1990s; wrote for magazines like The Weekly Standard and The New Republic |
| CNN Stint | Appeared on CNN shows like Crossfire and The Spin Room |
| 2005 Transition | Left CNN after a clash with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show |
| MSNBC Period | Hosted Tucker on MSNBC until 2008 |
| PBS Hosting | Hosted Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered on PBS until 2005 |
| Fox News Arrival | Joined Fox News in 2009; became co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend in 2012 |
| Signature Show | Introduced Tucker Carlson Tonight in 2016 |
| Views and Perspectives | Known for conservative and populist views on immigration, race, COVID-19, and the 2020 election |
| Notable Interviews | Conducted interviews with figures like Donald Trump, Ice Cube, Michael Wolff, Edward Snowden |
| Controversies and Lawsuits | Faced criticism and lawsuits for spreading misinformation, conspiracy theories, and hate speech |
| Termination from Fox News | Fired in 2023 after Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit |
| Exit Details | $787.5 million lawsuit alleged lying about 2020 election fraud |
| Text Message Revelation | Messages revealed skepticism towards conspiracy theories aired |
