Gayle King’s 15-year tenure at CBS may be drawing to a close as the veteran anchor nears the end of her current one-year contract, reportedly worth $10 million.
King, 69, signed the deal in 2024 but may choose not to renew, with reports suggesting it would be a “miracle” if she returns. (Obviously, CBS may choose not to have her return.) According to multiple reports, the network’s declining ratings, internal scandals, and recent cost-cutting measures have contributed to her discontent.
Is King About to Quit?
One unnamed supposed source told The New York Post that King “didn’t sign up for this mess” and “doesn’t want her legacy tied to these ratings or this chaos.”
Her concerns reportedly intensified after CBS moved her morning show back to its former studio at the CBS Broadcast Center, away from its high-profile Times Square location. The decision, which King allegedly viewed as a “personal attack,” has left her “livid,” other unnamed supposed sources purportedly told RadarOnline.
The possible departure comes as King continues to weigh her next steps in a media career that has made her one of the most recognized and highest-paid anchors in America.
King’s rise from local news in Baltimore to national prominence is a story of resilience and transformation. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a psychology degree, she began as a production assistant at WJZ-TV in Baltimore, where she met Oprah Winfrey. The two forged a lifelong friendship that would shape King’s public and professional image.
From co-anchoring “CBS This Morning” to hosting her own programs — including the short-lived “Gayle King Show” and the recent “King Charles” with Charles Barkley — King has become a trusted voice in broadcast talk spaces. Despite some misfires, including low-rated shows and programming shifts, her influence in journalism remains significant.
In 2019, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. King’s net worth is estimated between $40 million and $80 million, according to sources. Her fotune has been bolstered by her CBS salary, book royalties, and investments in real estate, with homes in Malibu, Miami, and upstate New York.
Beyond journalism, King is also known for her philanthropic efforts, supporting organizations such as UNICEF and the March of Dimes.
CBS has not commented publicly on her contract status. But as the end of her current deal approaches, King — whose journey from Baltimore to the national stage has spanned decades — reportedly is being strategic about what comes next.
