Richard Wilkins was born on June 19, 1954 (Age: 71 years old) in Auckland, New Zealand, and he’s been a familiar face on Aussie TV screens for decades.
He’s best known as the guy who brought the glitz and glam of Hollywood to our living rooms.
Richard kicked things off as the first-ever host of MTV Australia, and from there, he became a go-to entertainment presenter on Channel Nine.
Over the years, Wilkins has worked on shows like Weekend Today and remained a trusted voice in music and celebrity news.
Keep on reading Richard Wilkins’s biography to learn more about his wives, relationships, children, education, career journey, net worth, facts, and more.
Richard Wilkins Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Richard Stephen Wilkins |
| Profession | Television and radio presenter, entertainment reporter, master of ceremonies |
| Age | 71 years old |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1954 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Gemini |
| Birthplace | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Current Address | Sydney, Australia |
Richard Wilkins Wife, Girlfriend, & Children
Richard Wilkins is currently dating Mia Hawkswell [1]. Mia is a professional makeup artist. They have been together since around 2020 and are often seen attending public events together in Sydney, Australia.
Lynette (First Wife)
Richard’s first marriage was to his high school girlfriend Lynette. They got together when Richard was just 18 and Lynette was 16. They became parents to their first child, Adam, during this time. The date and venue of the wedding are yet to be updated.
Michelle Burke (Second Wife)
Richard later married Michelle Burke. Together, they had a son named Christian Wilkins. Marriage details such as date and venue, are yet to be updated.
Third Wife (Name Yet to be updated)
There is mention of a third marriage, but the name and details of Richard’s third wife are yet to be updated.
Notable Past Relationships
- Collette Dinnigan – A famous Australian fashion designer. Richard and Collette [2] were in a relationship and have a daughter together named Estella.
- Rebecca Gibney – A well-known actress. Richard and Rebecca [3] dated in the past but did not have children.
- Tottie Goldsmith – Another past romantic partner; no children from this relationship.
Children of Richard Wilkins
Richard Wilkins has five children from different relationships. Richard was 18 years old when his first son, Adam (Down syndrome), was born [4].
He has a daughter named Rebecca and a son named Nicholas, but not much is known about them. Their birth dates and mothers’ names are yet to be updated.
His most well-known child is Christian Wilkins [5], born around 1995. Christian is a model and TV personality, and his mother is Michelle Burke.
Richard’s youngest child is Estella [6], born on October 5, 2004, from his relationship with fashion designer Collette Dinnigan.
| Relationship Status | In a relationship |
| Ex-wife: Lynette Michelle Burke Current girlfriend: Mia Hawkswell | |
| Children | Son: Adam Wilkins, Nicholas Wilkins, Christian Wilkins Daughter: Rebecca Wilkins, Estella Sophia Dinnigan Wilkins |
Richard Wilkins Family
Richard Wilkins has kept details about his parents and siblings private. There is no publicly available information regarding their names, professions, or whether he has any brothers or sisters. This section is yet to be updated.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Yet to be updated Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Richard Wilkins Education
Richard Wilkins attended Palmerston North Boys’ High School, a well-known school in New Zealand.
After finishing school, he attended a Teachers’ College in New Zealand. There, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education, majoring in English and Music.
| School | Palmerston North Boys’ High School, New Zealand |
| Alma Mater | Teachers’ College in New Zealand |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Education, majoring in English and Music |
Richard Wilkins Career
Richard Wilkins began his career in the late 1970s as a pop singer under the stage name Richard Wilde. He released a few singles and toured internationally, including performing with major acts like Grace Jones. Though his music career didn’t become a long-term success, it helped him build confidence and experience in front of an audience.
Breakthrough with MTV Australia (1987)
In 1987, Richard got his big break in television when he became the original host of MTV Australia. At the time, MTV was newly launched in the country, and Richard brought global music and celebrity culture to Australian viewers for the first time.
Entertainment Editor at Nine Network (1987–2023)
Later in 1987, Richard joined the Nine Network [7] as its Entertainment Editor, a role he held for over three decades.
In this role, Richard:
- Interviewed hundreds of global celebrities, including Madonna, Elton John, Tom Cruise, and George Clooney
- Covered major international events like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Logies
- Reported from red carpets and film premieres both in Australia and overseas
- Helped shape the network’s entertainment coverage with his calm, polished style
TV Hosting Roles
In addition to his editorial role, Richard also worked as a host and co-host on popular TV programs such as:
- Weekend Today
- Today Extra
- The Today Show (fill-in host)
Radio Career
Richard expanded into radio in his later career, becoming a weekend presenter on Smooth FM [8], a popular Australian radio station. On the radio, he shared personal stories, celebrity updates, and curated music playlists.
| Year | Role | Company/Platform |
| Late 1970s | Pop Singer (as Richard Wilde) | Music Industry (Touring) |
| 1987 | Host of MTV Australia | MTV |
| 1987–2023 | Entertainment Editor | Nine Network |
| 2000s–2020s | TV Co-host (Today, Weekend Today, Today Extra) | Nine Network |
| 2010s–Now | Weekend Radio Presenter | Smooth FM |
| 2014 | Awarded Order of Australia (AM) | Australian Government |
Awards and Recognition
Richard Wilkins has received praise not just for his long career in media but also for his positive impact on Australian culture. His most notable recognition came in 2014, honouring both his entertainment work and charity efforts.
| Year | Award | Reason for Award |
| 2014 | Order of Australia (AM) | For service to the entertainment industry and charitable organisations |
Richard Wilkins Net Worth, Salary
Richard Wilkins’s estimated net worth is around $7 million. His exact salary details are yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $7 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Richard Wilkins Height, Weight, & Physical Stats
Richard Wilkins stands tall at around 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and is often praised for his polished and professional look. He has blonde hair and blue eyes.
Details about his weight and body measurements are yet to be updated.
| Height | In centimetres: 188 cm In meters: 1.88 m In feet & inches: 6 feet 2 inches |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Richard Wilkins Instagram, X, Facebook
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| X |  @RichardWilkins |
 RichardWilkinsOfficial | |
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Interesting Facts About Richard Wilkins
- Richard Wilkins originally started his career as a pop singer under the name Richard Wilde.
- Richard toured with Grace Jones in his early music days.
- Richard has hosted more red carpet events than almost any other Aussie presenter.
- Wilkins was once mistakenly reported dead by a news outlet during a celebrity death hoax.
- Wilkins is known for his love of classic rock and live music.
- He’s also worked behind the scenes as a music promoter before joining TV.
More News Anchor From Australia
FAQs
How old is Richard Wilkins now?
Richard Wilkins is 71 years old. He was born on June 19, 1954, in Auckland, New Zealand.
What is Richard Wilkins famous for?
Richard Wilkins is famous for being a TV and radio presenter, especially known for his work as the Entertainment Editor on Channel Nine and for hosting MTV Australia.
Is Richard Wilkins in a relationship?
Yes, Richard is currently in a relationship with makeup artist Mia Hawkswell. They’ve been together since around 2020.
Does Richard Wilkins have a child with Down syndrome?
Yes, Richard Wilkins has a son named Adam who was born with Down syndrome. He was Richard’s first child, born when he was just 18.
Was Tottie Goldsmith married to Richard Wilkins?
No, Tottie Goldsmith and Richard were in a relationship, but they were never married.
Did Richard Wilkins have a music career?
Yes, Richard Wilkins started as a pop singer under the name Richard Wilde before moving into television.
How tall is Richard Wilkins?
Richard Wilkins is approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall.
What is the net worth of Richard Wilkins?
Richard Wilkins’s estimated net worth is $7 million, earned through decades in TV, radio, and media.
