Scott Pelley is a veteran CBS News journalist, age 68, known for anchoring CBS Evening News and 21 seasons on 60 Minutes. Explore his career, family, and 2026 exit.
Scott Pelley is one of the most decorated journalists in American broadcasting history. Over a career spanning more than five decades, the CBS News veteran reported from war zones, White Houses, and disaster sites, earning a reputation for unflinching, fact-first journalism. His name became synonymous with 60 Minutes, where he spent 21 seasons delivering some of the program’s most acclaimed investigative reports.
In June 2026, Pelley’s storied run at CBS came to a dramatic end when he was fired following a public clash with the show’s new leadership. The departure sent shockwaves through the media world and reignited a broader debate about journalistic independence in the age of corporate media consolidation.
Quick Facts About Scott Pelley
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Scott Cameron Pelley |
| Date of Birth | July 28, 1957 |
| Age | 68 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Profession | Journalist, Author, TV Anchor |
| Net Worth | ~$18 million (2026) |
| Spouse | Jane Boone Pelley (m. 1983) |
| Children | 2 (one son, one daughter) |
| Education | Texas Tech University (BA, Journalism) |
| Famous For | 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News anchor |
Early Life and a Teenager’s First Byline
Scott Cameron Pelley was born on July 28, 1957, in San Antonio, Texas, to John Elmer Pelley Jr. and Wanda Graves Pelley. He grew up alongside his brother, John, in a household that evidently nurtured his curiosity about the world. His path into journalism began remarkably early — at just 15 years old, he landed a job as a copy boy at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal newspaper, getting his first taste of a newsroom before most teenagers have their driver’s licenses.
He later attended Coronado High School and went on to study journalism at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, staying close to his Texas roots. That combination of early practical experience and formal training gave Pelley a foundation that would serve him through nearly half a century of on-the-ground reporting.
Education and Early Career Foundations
Pelley’s time at Texas Tech University sharpened the instincts he had already developed in his teens. He majored in journalism, graduating with a deep commitment to the craft. Rather than waiting for opportunity to find him, Pelley pursued it aggressively, building local credentials before making his move to national television.
His early professional years set the template for the dogged, detail-oriented reporter he would become. By the time he joined CBS News in 1989, Pelley had already developed the tenacity that would define his biggest career moments.
CBS News Career: From Dallas to the White House
Pelley’s CBS career began in New York City in 1989, though he soon returned to Dallas as a national affairs correspondent. Those early years were anything but quiet. He covered the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991, reporting from Baghdad and accompanying the XVIII Airborne Corps on its assault into Iraq and Kuwait. Back stateside, he covered the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the Waco siege, and the Oklahoma City bombing — some of the most consequential domestic news events of that era.
His credibility grew rapidly, and by 1997, CBS named him Chief White House Correspondent, a role he held through President Clinton’s impeachment proceedings. In 1999, he transitioned to 60 Minutes II, and in 2000 he landed the first interview with President-elect George W. Bush — a signal of his growing stature in American journalism. Then came September 11, 2001. Pelley was reporting from the World Trade Center site when the North Tower collapsed, placing him at the epicenter of the biggest story of his generation.
He joined the flagship 60 Minutes broadcast in 2004, and over the next two decades he won half of all major awards the program earned during his tenure. As a war correspondent, he covered conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Sudan. As a political reporter, he interviewed every sitting U.S. president from George H.W. Bush through Joe Biden.
Anchoring the CBS Evening News (2011–2017)
In June 2011, Pelley succeeded Katie Couric as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, one of the most visible jobs in American television. His tenure was a notable success by ratings standards. By 2016, the broadcast had added more than 1.5 million viewers — the longest and largest stretch of audience growth the program had seen since the Walter Cronkite era.
He stepped down from the anchor chair in 2017 and returned full-time to 60 Minutes, where the investigative format suited his reporting style. The transition was widely seen as a return to his strengths rather than a step back.
Awards and Recognition: A Record-Breaking Run
Few journalists in American television history can match Pelley’s awards cabinet. He has won a record 51 Emmy Awards from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, along with four Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Batons and three George Foster Peabody Awards — considered some of the highest honors in broadcast journalism. In 2016, he received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, placing him in distinguished company.
He is also the author of Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times, published in 2019 by Hanover Square Press. The book profiles both famous and ordinary people who found meaning during the historic events Pelley himself witnessed firsthand.
Personal Life: A Marriage Built to Last
Pelley married Jane Boone, a former television reporter and advertising executive, on August 20, 1983. The couple has been together for over four decades — a rarity in an industry known for its demanding schedules. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
Jane has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, but Pelley has credited his family as a grounding force throughout a career that routinely put him in dangerous or emotionally demanding situations.
Net Worth and Earnings
Scott Pelley has accumulated an estimated net worth of approximately $18 million as of 2026. His wealth reflects decades of work at the top of American broadcast journalism, including a reported annual salary of around $7 million during his CBS tenure. His income streams have included his correspondent and anchor salaries, as well as earnings from his 2019 book. His exit from CBS in June 2026 will likely reshape his financial picture going forward, though his stature in the industry ensures continued opportunities.
The 60 Minutes Exit: A Dramatic End to a Historic Run
Pelley’s departure from CBS in June 2026 was as dramatic as any story he ever covered. The context was a turbulent period at CBS News following the Paramount-Skydance merger under CEO David Ellison. New editor-in-chief Bari Weiss — founder of The Free Press — was installed to reshape the network’s editorial direction, a move that alarmed many veteran staffers. Earlier flashpoints included the pulling of a 60 Minutes segment on Trump administration immigration policy, the resignation of longtime executive producer Bill Owens in April 2025, and the departures of correspondents Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, and Cecilia Vega.
The final break came when Weiss appointed tech journalist Nick Bilton as executive producer of 60 Minutes. On Bilton’s first day, Pelley publicly challenged him at a staff meeting, questioning his qualifications and accusing Weiss of trying to destroy the show. Bilton terminated Pelley’s employment “for cause” shortly after, citing conduct unbecoming. Pelley responded by calling the situation “incompetence and unprofessionalism in new management.” His firing left just three correspondents — Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker, and Jon Wertheim — to carry 60 Minutes into its 59th season.
Wrapping Up
Scott Pelley’s career is a testament to what sustained commitment to journalism looks like over five decades. From a teenage copy boy in Lubbock to the anchor desk of the CBS Evening News, he built his reputation the old-fashioned way — story by story, war zone by war zone, interview by interview.
His firing from 60 Minutes in 2026 ended an era at the program, but it also crystallized a larger moment in American media: the collision between traditional broadcast journalism and the new corporate and political realities reshaping it. Whatever comes next for Pelley, his record — 51 Emmys, three Peabodys, four duPont-Columbia Batons — speaks for itself.
He remains one of the defining journalists of his generation, and his legacy at 60 Minutes and the CBS Evening News will be studied and referenced for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Scott Pelley?
Scott Pelley is an award-winning American journalist who spent more than 31 years at CBS News. He is best known as a longtime 60 Minutes correspondent and as the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017. As of June 2026, he has been fired from CBS News following a public dispute with the show’s new leadership.
Why was Scott Pelley fired from 60 Minutes?
Pelley was fired in June 2026 after publicly confronting new executive producer Nick Bilton at a staff meeting on Bilton’s first day. Pelley questioned Bilton’s qualifications and criticized CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Bilton then terminated his employment “for cause.”
What is Scott Pelley’s net worth?
Scott Pelley’s estimated net worth is approximately $18 million as of 2026. His wealth comes primarily from his decades-long career at CBS News, including a reported salary of around $7 million annually, plus earnings from his 2019 book.
Who is Scott Pelley’s wife?
Scott Pelley is married to Jane Boone Pelley, a former television reporter and advertising executive. They married on August 20, 1983, and have two children together.
How many Emmy Awards has Scott Pelley won?
Scott Pelley has won a record 51 Emmy Awards from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He has also received four Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Batons and three George Foster Peabody Awards.
Where did Scott Pelley go to college?
Scott Pelley attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he majored in journalism. He began his journalism career even earlier, as a copy boy at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal at age 15.
What book did Scott Pelley write?
Scott Pelley wrote Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times, published in 2019 by Hanover Square Press. The book profiles people who discovered the meaning of their lives during major historic events that Pelley covered firsthand.
