Gretchen Carlson, born on 21st June 1966 (Age: 59 years old), is an American journalist, author, and former Miss America. She gained prominence through her roles on CBS and Fox News, most notably as co-host of Fox & Friends.
In 2016, she made headlines by filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, becoming a central figure in the #MeToo movement. A graduate of Stanford University, Carlson is also an advocate for women’s rights and co-founded the nonprofit Lift Our Voices.
Let’s explore Gretchen Carlson’s Biography and learn about her age, husband, children, family, education, career, awards, and some unknown facts.
Gretchen Carlson Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Gretchen Elizabeth Carlson |
| Profession | Television journalist, author, speaker, philanthropist |
| Age | 59 years old |
| Date of Birth | 21 June 1966 |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | Anoka, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Current Address | Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. |
Gretchen Carlson Husband, Children
Gretchen Carlson married Casey Close, a sports agent, in 1997. The couple has two children: a son and a daughter.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband/Boyfriend | Husband: Casey Richard Close |
| Children | Son: Christian Close Daughter: Kaia Close |
Gretchen Carlson Family
Gretchen Carlson was born to parents Karen Carlson, a homemaker, and Lee Carlson, who owned a car dealership. She grew up in Anoka, Minnesota, with three siblings, although their identities are private. Her upbringing in a supportive and tight-knit family is frequently referenced in interviews.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Karen Barbara (Hyllengren) Carlson Mother: Lee Roy Carlson |
| Siblings | Sister: Kris Carlson Germain |
Gretchen Carlson Education
Carlson graduated as valedictorian from Anoka High School in Minnesota in 1984. She then attended Stanford University, where she graduated with honors in 1990, earning a B.A. in Sociology. She also spent time studying abroad at Oxford University, focusing on the works of Virginia Woolf.
| School | Anoka High School |
| Alma Mater | Stanford University |
| Highest Qualification | B.A. in Sociology |
Gretchen Carlson Career
Gretchen Carlson’s career started after winning Miss America 1989, leading to television appearances. She transitioned into journalism, beginning with local news stations like WRIC-TV and later joining CBS News as a national correspondent. In 2005, she moved to Fox News, where she co-hosted Fox & Friends until 2013.
Her 2016 sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes brought national attention, leading to her becoming a prominent advocate for women’s rights and workplace equality. Today, she continues her advocacy work, including through her nonprofit, Lift Our Voices.
| Year | Role | Company |
| 1989 | Miss America | Miss America Organization |
| 1990 | Co-Anchor/Political Commentator | WRIC-TV |
| 1992–1994 | Media Commentator | WCPO-TV |
| 1994–1998 | Co-Anchor (Primetime) | WOIO/WUAB |
| 1998–2000 | Weekend Anchor and Reporter | KXAS-TV |
| 2000–2005 | National Correspondent | CBS News |
| 2002–2005 | Co-Anchor (Saturday Edition) | The Early Show (CBS) |
| 2005–2013 | Co-Host | Fox & Friends (Fox News) |
| 2013–2016 | Anchor | The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson |
| 2016 | Lawsuit Filer (against Roger Ailes) | Fox News |
| 2018–Present | Chairwoman of the Board | Miss America Organization |
| 2019–Present | Co-Founder | Lift Our Voices |
Awards
| Year | Award Name |
| 1989 | Miss America |
| 2017 | TIME 100 Most Influential People |
| 2020 | YWCA Greater Los Angeles Phenomenal Woman of the Year |
| 2021 | Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award |
Books
| Year | Book Title |
| 2015 | Getting Real |
| 2017 | Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back |
Controversies
| Year | Controversy |
| 2016 | Filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes. [1] |
| 2012 | Walked off the Fox & Friends set due to an offensive comment about women. [2] |
| 2018 | Allegations of bullying within the Miss America Organization during her tenure. [3] |
Gretchen Carlson Net Worth, Salary
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $18 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $1.5 million |
Gretchen Carlson Height, Weight & Physical Stats
| Height | In centimeters: 160 cm In meters: 1.60 m In feet & inches: 5 feet & 3 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 63 kg In lbs: 138 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 35-28-38 inches |
| Hair Colour | Blonde |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
Gretchen Carlson Instagram, X, Facebook
 gretchencarlson | |
| X |  @GretchenCarlson |
 GretchenCarlson |
10 Interesting Facts About Gretchen Carlson
- She is a trained classical violinist and was the first to win Miss America with that talent.
- Carlson was the valedictorian of her high school class at Anoka High School in Minnesota.
- After taking the LSAT, she chose a career in journalism instead of attending law school.
- In 2017, she was awarded a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University for journalists.
- She appeared in a comedy sketch on Bloopers and Practical Jokes before launching her TV career.
- Carlson was known for doing push-ups on Fox & Friends when military guests appeared on the show.
- Carlson has contributed to a charity cookbook featuring recipes from famous news anchors.
- She became the chairwoman of the Miss America Organization’s board in 2018.
- Carlson was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2017.
- She co-founded Lift Our Voices, a nonprofit that fights against nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in workplace harassment cases.
More News Anchor From Fox News
FAQs
What is Gretchen Carlson doing today?
Today, Gretchen Carlson is a leading advocate for workplace harassment reforms and co-founder of Lift Our Voices, an organization focused on ending forced arbitration and nondisclosure agreements.
Where did Gretchen Carlson go to college?
Carlson attended Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She also studied abroad at Oxford University, focusing on the works of Virginia Woolf.
Does Gretchen Carlson have a sister?
Yes, Gretchen Carlson has siblings, including a sister, although detailed public information about her siblings is limited.
Who is Gretchen Carlson’s husband?
Gretchen Carlson is married to Casey Close, a well-known sports agent. The couple got married in 1997 and has two children.
Why is Gretchen Carlson famous?
Carlson is famous for winning Miss America in 1989 and for her significant journalism career, including her time at Fox News. She became a prominent figure in the #MeToo movement after her 2016 sexual harassment lawsuit against Roger Ailes.
