Geraldo Rivera, a well-known American journalist, author, attorney, and political commentator, had a long and distinguished career at the Fox News Channel from 2001 to 2023.
He is also recognized for hosting the popular tabloid talk show “Geraldo” from 1987 to 1998, which garnered significant attention.
One of his most memorable moments was the live 1986 TV special titled “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults.“
Along with “Geraldo,” Geraldo Rivera also hosted “Geraldo at Large” and periodically delivered “Geraldo Rivera Reports.” He gained acclaim in the media business for his versatility in journalism and reporting.
This article is for you if you share my curiosity on this Reporter and want to learn more about him. This biography of Geraldo Rivera will cover his profession, personal life, political stances, and a number of other fascinating facets of his life.
Geraldo Rivera Wiki & Early Life
Geraldo Rivera, born on July 4, 1943, at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, New York, is 80 years old. His childhood was spent in both Brooklyn and West Babylon, New York.
Currently, he resides in Shaker Heights, Ohio, having previously lived at Rough Point, an 1895 shingle-style estate in Middletown Township, New Jersey.
| Full Name | Geraldo Rivera |
| Nick Name | Gerald |
| Profession | Journalist, Reporter, Talk Show Host, Attorney, Writer |
| Age | 80 years Old |
| Date of Birth | 4th July 1943 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Current Address | New York City |
Geraldo Rivera’s Spouse, Girlfriend, and Relationship
Geraldo Rivera’s personal life has seen several marriages and relationships. Throughout his life, he has been married five times. His first marriage was to Linda Coblentz, and they were married from 1965 to 1969, after which they divorced. During this marriage, they had a daughter named Simone.
In 1971, Rivera tied the knot with Edith Vonnegut, the daughter of the renowned author Kurt Vonnegut. Together, they had a daughter named Isabella. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1975.
The journalist’s third marriage was to Sherryl Raymond in 1976, and they welcomed a son named Gabriel into their lives. Sadly, this marriage also ended in divorce in 1984.
Geraldo Rivera’s fourth marriage was to Cynthia Cruickshank in 1987. During their marriage, they had a daughter named Sol. Unfortunately, this union also ended in divorce in 2000. They had attempted to have more children through IVF, but sadly, they experienced multiple miscarriages.
In 2003, Rivera found love once again and married Erica Levy, who is a producer at Fox News. Together, they have a daughter named Sivan.
In addition to his previous marriages, Geraldo Rivera acknowledged having an extended relationship with Marian Javits, the spouse of New York Senator Jacob Javits, from 1978 to 1985.
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Geraldo Rivera remains married to Erica Levy, and they continue their journey together with their daughter Sivan.
Family
The family history of Geraldo Rivera is a varied and culturally complex amalgam. Cruz “Allen” Rivera and Lillian (née Friedman), his parents, welcomed him into the world at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, New York.
His father was a waiter who was of Galego Spanish origin and was a native of Puerto Rico. His mother, on the other hand, was of Ashkenazi heritage and a devout Jew.
A family that embraced both Jewish and Christian traditions was created as a result of this unusual blending of cultures.
Growing up in Brooklyn and West Babylon, New York, Geraldo was raised “mostly Jewish” and even had a bar mitzvah ceremony. However, his family faced challenges due to prejudice and racism.
To shield themselves from bigotry, his mother decided to spell their surname as “Riviera” at times, even though the correct spelling is “Rivera.”
Interestingly, variations like Ribeira, Riviera, Ribera, and Rivera are essentially the same family name, used by Galician, Italian, Portuguese families, and Sephardic Jews.
Geraldo Rivera’s family history showcases the amalgamation of cultures and the richness of their heritage.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Cruz “Allen” Rivera Mother: Lillian (née Friedman) |
| Siblings | Sister: Irene, Sharon Brother: Craig Rivera |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Linda Coblentz (m. 1965; div. 1969)Edith Vonnegut (m. 1971; div. 1975)Sherryl Raymond (m. 1976; div. 1984)C.C. (Cynthia Cruickshank) Dyer (m. 1987; div. 2000)Erica Michelle Levy (m. 2003) |
| Children | Daughters: Isabella Holmes, Simone Cruickshank, and Solita Liliana Rivera Son: Gabriel Miguel, Cruz Grant Rivera |
Geraldo Rivera Education
In his early years, Geraldo Rivera attended West Babylon High School. Rivera then continued his study at the State University of New York Maritime College in the Throggs Neck neighborhood of the Bronx from 1961 to 1963. He was a prized rowing team member while he was there.
He later decided to transfer to the University of Arizona, where he successfully obtained a B.S. in business administration in 1965.
Rivera pursued his interest in law after considering a number of jobs, including short-order chef and apparel salesman. He attended in Brooklyn Law School in 1966 and grabbed the opportunity to get real-world experience by interning with illustrious organizations like the New York County District Attorney under the leadership of crime fighter Frank Hogan and the community-based legal aid organization Harlem Assertion of Rights. Rivera’s commitment and diligence paid off, as he finished with his J.D. in 1969 near the top of his class.
| School | West Babylon High School |
| Alma Mater | State University of New York Maritime College University of Arizona (BS) Brooklyn Law School (JD) |
| Highest Qualification | B.S. in business administration J.D. from Brooklyn Law School |
Career
Early Stages
Geraldo Rivera started his career in 1970 as a reporter for Eyewitness News at WABC-TV. In 1972, he gained national recognition and won a Peabody Award for his report on the neglect and abuse of patients with intellectual disabilities at Willowbrook State School and Letchworth Village.
He appeared on ABC national programs like 20/20 and Nightline from their launches in 1978 and 1979, respectively. He organized the “One to One” benefit concert with John Lennon for the patients at Willowbrook.
Good Night America
In July 1973, he hosted and produced the late-night newsmagazine “Good Night America” on ABC. The show tackled controversial topics of the era, such as marijuana usage and the Vietnam War draft dodgers. It ran from April 1974 to June 1977.
AIDS Awareness
The first reference to “AIDS” on American network television was made by Rivera on 20/20 on May 19, 1983. He spoke with a lighting designer from New York City who later passed away from AIDS.
Controversial Exit from ABC
Rivera fired ABC’s Roone Arledge in October 1985 after he chastised Arledge for not airing a report on Marilyn Monroe’s friendship with the Kennedys. The official explanation was that the donation was against ABC policy because it was made to a nonpartisan mayoral candidate.
The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults
In April 1986, Rivera hosted a 2-hour special, “The Mystery of Al Capone’s Vaults,” where he explored mobster Al Capone’s secret vaults but found no valuables.
Geraldo Daytime Talk Show
The midday chat program “Geraldo,” famed for its contentious guests and theatricality, was created and hosted by Rivera in 1987. The show ran for 11 years.
Fox News
In November 2001, Rivera left CNBC to become a Fox News war correspondent. He was involved in controversial reporting incidents in Afghanistan and Iraq. He later became a regular host on Fox News, appearing on various programs.
Also Read: Jesse Watters (Commentator) Wife, Biography, Family, Net Worth, Age, Height, Career, Fox News
Book Release
In 2008, Rivera released a book titled “HisPanic: Why Americans Fear Hispanics in the U.S.“
Radio Hosting
Rivera hosted weekday radio talk shows on WABC in New York and KABC in Los Angeles. He also joined WTAM in Cleveland in 2018 to host “Geraldo in Cleveland.“
Other Appearances
Rivera appeared in TV shows like Seinfeld, My Name is Earl, and Phineas and Ferb. He also competed in The Celebrity Apprentice and Dancing with the Stars.
Departure from Fox News
In June 2023, Rivera announced his departure from The Five and subsequently quit Fox News after 23 years, citing “growing tension beyond editorial differences and personal annoyances and gripes.”
Geraldo Rivera Net worth, Salary
| Net Worth in Dollars | $ 25 Million |
| Salary | $ 2 Million |
Geraldo Rivera Height
| Height | In centimeters:170 cm In meters: 1.70 m In Inches: 5’6” |
| Weight | In KG: 80 Kgs In Pounds: 176 Lbs |
Geraldo Rivera Controversy
Geraldo Rivera’s career hasn’t been without its share of controversies. In 2001, during his coverage of the War in Afghanistan, he faced criticism for inaccurately reporting a friendly fire incident while being 300 miles away from the actual scene.
Later, in 2003, while reporting in Iraq, he disclosed classified information about an upcoming military operation, leading to his expulsion from the country.
Rivera also faced controversy when accused of pushing aside a rescue team member to stage a rescue during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While the allegations were later found to be false, the incident sparked heated debates.
In 2012, Rivera made a contentious statement regarding Trayvon Martin’s hoodie in connection to his shooting death, which garnered significant backlash. He later apologized for the comments.
Rivera’s book, “HisPanic: Why Americans Fear Hispanics in the U.S.,” released in 2008, stirred debate and received both criticism and support.
Throughout his career, Rivera has also been involved in disputes with colleagues and media outlets, including a feud with fellow Fox News colleague Michelle Malkin.
These controversies, alongside Rivera’s candid remarks and actions, have led to both praise and criticism throughout his extensive 50-year television career.
FAQs
Geraldo Rivera is 80 years Old, He was born on 4th July 1943.
When Geraldo was observed walking with a cane, questions regarding his health status started to surface. However, neither of these claims have been confirmed nor rejected by the well-known former FOX News political commentator.
Along with Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr., Rivera became a rotating liberal co-host on The Five in January 2022. On June 21, 2023, he declared that he will be leaving the show on June 30 but staying with the network.
The sensationalistic reporting and propensity to insert himself into stories made Geraldo Rivera famous.
2 Million Dollars.
Rivera is a News Reporter, Author, Talk Show Host, and a Journalist.
