Connie Chung, a trailblazing Chinese-American journalist, has left an indelible mark on broadcast journalism. Born on August 20, 1946, in Washington, D.C., she is currently 79 years old as of 2025. With a net worth estimated at $80 million (shared with her husband, Maury Povich), Chung’s career spans over five decades, working with major networks like CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and MSNBC. Married to talk show host Maury Povich since 1984, Chung has balanced a high-profile career with family life, including raising their adopted son, Matthew Jay Povich. This article explores her biography, age, net worth, marriage, salary, dating history, and career milestones, offering fresh insights into her legacy.
Early Life and Education: Shaping a Journalism Icon
Born Constance Yu-Hwa Chung, she was the youngest of ten children, five of whom tragically died during wartime in China before her family immigrated to the U.S. in 1945. Her father, William Ling Chung, served as an intelligence officer for the Chinese Nationalist Government, instilling a global perspective in Chung. Raised in Washington, D.C., she attended Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, where her passion for storytelling emerged. She later graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1969 with a journalism degree, a pivotal moment that launched her career. Chung’s early exposure to international affairs through her father’s work shaped her fearless approach to reporting.
Career Highlights: A Trailblazer in Broadcast Journalism
Chung’s journalism career began in the early 1970s as a correspondent for CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, covering the Watergate scandal. Her sharp reporting skills earned her recognition, and she later anchored at KNXT (now KCBS-TV) in Los Angeles from 1976 to 1983. In 1983, she joined NBC, anchoring NBC News at Sunrise and the Saturday edition of NBC Nightly News. A historic milestone came in 1993 when Chung became the first Asian woman and the second woman to co-anchor a major network’s national newscast, CBS Evening News, alongside Dan Rather. Her tenure at CBS also included hosting Eye to Eye with Connie Chung.
Chung’s interviewing prowess shone through high-profile exclusives, such as her 1991 interview with Magic Johnson after his HIV diagnosis and her 2001 interview with Gary Condit regarding the Chandra Levy disappearance. However, her career faced challenges, including a controversial 1995 interview with Newt Gingrich’s mother, which sparked ethical debates. After CBS, she worked at ABC (co-hosting 20/20), CNN (hosting Connie Chung Tonight), and MSNBC (co-hosting Weekends with Maury and Connie with her husband). Her salary during her CNN tenure reportedly reached $2 million annually, contributing significantly to her wealth.
Marriage and Family: Connie Chung and Maury Povich’s Enduring Bond
Connie Chung married Maury Povich, the famed talk show host, on December 2, 1984, after meeting in 1969 at WTTG-TV in Washington, D.C. Their relationship, initially platonic due to Povich’s prior marriage, blossomed after his 1979 divorce. Chung converted to Judaism to marry Povich, showcasing her commitment to their shared life. The couple adopted their son, Matthew Jay Povich, in 1995, after Chung faced challenges with fertility, including a reported miscarriage in the early 1990s. Chung has spoken candidly about prioritizing her career in her younger years, once stating, “I was so focused on my career that I forgot to get married until 38.”
Their marriage, now spanning over 40 years, is a testament to mutual respect and shared professional experiences. Chung and Povich have navigated the pressures of public life while maintaining a strong family unit, with Chung serving as a stepmother to Povich’s two daughters from his first marriage, Susan Anne and Amy Joyce.
Net Worth and Financial Success
As of 2025, Connie Chung’s net worth is estimated at $80 million, shared with Maury Povich, largely amassed through their respective careers in television. Chung’s personal net worth is estimated at $20 million, driven by her high-profile roles and lucrative contracts, such as her $2 million annual salary at CNN. The couple’s real estate investments, including a $9 million Washington, D.C. mansion purchased in 2009 and a ranch in Bigfork, Montana, further bolster their wealth. Chung’s financial success reflects her pioneering status in a competitive industry.
Controversies and Challenges: Navigating Criticism
Chung’s career wasn’t without controversy. Her 1995 interview with Kathleen Gingrich, where she prompted a whispered comment about Hillary Clinton, drew widespread criticism for ethical lapses. Similarly, her 2002 suggestion that tennis player Martina Navratilova return to Czechoslovakia for criticizing U.S. politics sparked backlash. The most significant controversy came during her 1995 Oklahoma City bombing coverage, where her questioning of a firefighter was deemed insensitive, leading to her demotion at CBS. These incidents highlight the challenges of being a trailblazing woman in journalism, where scrutiny was often amplified by gender and ethnicity biases.
Unique Insights: Chung’s Influence on Diversity in Media
Chung’s legacy extends beyond her on-air work. As an Asian-American woman, she broke barriers in a predominantly white, male industry, inspiring countless journalists. In her 2024 memoir, Connie: A Memoir, she reflects on battling racism and sexism, noting, “I had to work twice as hard to be seen as half as good.” Her advocacy for diversity in newsrooms has influenced hiring practices, with data from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) showing a rise in Asian-American representation in broadcast journalism from 1% in the 1990s to 5% by 2023. Chung’s mentorship of young journalists, like Kaity Tong, further cements her impact.
Connie Chung Biography Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Constance Yu-Hwa Chung |
| Date of Birth | August 20, 1946 |
| Age | 79 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Chinese |
| Education | University of Maryland, College Park (Journalism, 1969) |
| High School | Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Maryland |
| Profession | Journalist, News Anchor, Reporter |
| Major Networks | CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC |
| Notable Roles | Co-Anchor of CBS Evening News, Host of Eye to Eye, Connie Chung Tonight |
| Awards | Emmy Award (1990), Peabody Award (1991), Edward R. Murrow Award (2003) |
| Net Worth | $80 million (shared with Maury Povich); $20 million (personal estimate) |
| Salary | $2 million annually (CNN, 2002) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Maury Povich (m. 1984) |
| Children | Matthew Jay Povich (adopted, 1995) |
| Stepmother to | Susan Anne Povich, Amy Joyce Povich |
| Parents | William Ling Chung (father), Margaret Ma (mother) |
| Siblings | Nine, five deceased during wartime |
| Height | 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Religion | Jewish (converted for marriage) |
| Books | Connie: A Memoir (2024) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @conniechungpovich, Twitter: @ConnieChung |
Current Endeavors and Legacy
In 2024, Chung released Connie: A Memoir, offering an intimate look at her career and personal struggles, including a 2018 revelation of surviving sexual assault by a family doctor. Her candidness has sparked discussions on workplace challenges for women in media. Today, Chung remains a respected figure, occasionally speaking at journalism conferences and mentoring aspiring reporters. Her Instagram (@conniechungpovich) and Twitter (@ConnieChung) provide glimpses into her life and insights.
For more details, visit her Wikipedia page or read her memoir for a firsthand account of her groundbreaking career.
