Bret Baier Bio, Age, Height, Education, Career, Wife, Kids, Salary, Net Worth, Major Achievements
Bret Baier Biography And Wiki
Bret Baier, an American journalist and author, was born on August 4, 1970, in Rumson, New Jersey, to parents of German and Irish heritage. He attended Marist School, a Roman Catholic high school in Atlanta, graduating in 1988, and later earned a BA in political science and English from DePauw University in 1992. Baier started his television career at WJWJ TV16 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, before moving to WRAL-TV, a CBS affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1998, he joined Fox News as the Atlanta bureau chief and, following the September 11 attacks, transitioned to covering military and national security affairs as the network’s Pentagon correspondent.
Age And Birthday
Bret Baier, born on August 4, 1970, is 54 years old as of 2024.
Height And Weight
Bret Baier is 5 feet 10 inches (1.79 meters) tall and weighs around 88 kilograms (196 pounds).
Education Background
Bret Baier graduated from Marist School, a private Roman Catholic high school in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1988. He later attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and English in 1992.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Bret Baier is an American with a rich ethnic background that includes German, Irish, French-Canadian, Welsh, and Scottish ancestry.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Milestones
Bret Baier achieved several significant milestones in his career:
- In 2001, he covered the attack on the Pentagon during the September 11 terrorist attacks, a pivotal moment that elevated his career.
- By 2007, Fox News appointed him as the network’s White House correspondent.
- In 2009, he became the permanent anchor of Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News.
- In 2021, he promoted his book To Rescue the Republic: Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union, and the Crisis of 1876 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
- In 2023, he gained acclaim for his insightful interview with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Significant Contributions
Bret Baier made notable contributions in journalism:
- As a Pentagon correspondent, he reported extensively from Afghanistan and Iraq, offering detailed coverage from conflict zones.
- During his tenure as a White House correspondent, he provided thorough reporting on the George W. Bush administration.
- As an author, he penned several New York Times bestsellers, including Three Days in January, Three Days in Moscow, and To Rescue the Republic.
Notable Works
Bret Baier’s writings have also garnered widespread attention:
- Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage, and Love, co-authored with Jim Mills, chronicles his son’s heart surgery and the family’s inspiring journey.
- Three Days in January reflects on the final days of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency.
- Three Days in Moscow highlights President Ronald Reagan’s role in the fall of the Soviet Union.
- To Rescue the Republic delves into Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership in preserving the Union during a time of crisis in 1876.
Wife and Children
Bret Baier is married to Amy Baier, a former healthcare worker. They met through a blind date set up by friends in 2002 and married in October 2004. Despite challenges, their relationship has remained strong.
Children
Bret and Amy have two sons:
- Paul Francis Baier (born June 29, 2007): Paul was born with five congenital heart defects and has undergone several heart surgeries.
- Daniel Bret Baier (born July 10, 2010): Daniel had some breathing issues at birth but is now healthy.
Family, Siblings, Parents
Bret Baier belongs to a close-knit family with strong support from his loved ones. His parents, Bill and Pat Baier, have been an integral part of his life, along with his brother, Tim Baier. He is married to Amy Baier, and together they have two sons, Paul Francis Baier and Daniel Bret Baier.
Career
Bret Baier began his television career at WJWJ TV16, a local station on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He later joined WRAL-TV, a CBS affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he honed his reporting skills and covered various news stories.
In 1998, Bret joined Fox News as the Atlanta bureau chief, covering breaking news and significant events. After the September 11 attacks, he was appointed as the network’s Pentagon correspondent, where he reported on military operations and national security. He traveled with U.S. and coalition forces to Iraq and Afghanistan, providing detailed reports from the front lines.
In 2007, Bret became the White House correspondent for Fox News, focusing on the George W. Bush administration. He covered major events, key decisions, and pivotal moments during Bush’s presidency, offering viewers comprehensive and insightful analysis.
In December 2008, Bret took over as anchor of Special Report with Bret Baier, Fox News‘ flagship political news program. As anchor, he delivers in-depth political analysis, interviews with key leaders, and coverage of major events. The program is widely recognized for its balanced and detailed approach to political reporting.
Bret has conducted interviews with several U.S. presidents, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. Known for his thoughtful and probing questions, these interviews have solidified his reputation as a trusted journalist. He has also covered multiple presidential elections and major political events with accuracy and depth.
Beyond his work on television, Bret is a successful author. His books include Special Heart (2014), which chronicles his son’s heart surgery journey, and historical works like Three Days in January (2017), Three Days in Moscow (2018), and To Rescue the Republic (2021), which delve into pivotal moments and figures in American history.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Hobbies
Bret Baier spends his free time relaxing through activities he enjoys, like reading historical and political books, playing golf, and spending quality time with his wife and children.
Personal Challenges
Bret faced a major challenge when his son, Paul, was born with five congenital heart defects. Paul has undergone several heart surgeries since birth. Despite the hardships, Bret and his family have stayed strong and supported each other. He and his wife, Amy, also raise funds to support medical research and assist families dealing with similar issues.
Salary and Net Worth
Bret Baier earns a notable salary and has a substantial net worth. In 2024, his yearly salary is about $20 million, and his net worth is estimated at around $70 million.
Major Achievements
Awards and Recognition
Bret Baier earned the Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism in 2017, the highest honor from the National Press Foundation for broadcast journalists. He has also received multiple Emmy Award nominations for his reporting and coverage of significant events.
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