Deborah Norville, the longtime face of Inside Edition, has built an impressive legacy in broadcast journalism—and along the way, she’s also built a substantial personal fortune. As of 2025, the 66-year-old journalist, producer, author, and businesswoman has a net worth of $18 million. After spending 30 years hosting Inside Edition, Norville announced her departure from the show in April 2025, marking the end of a remarkable era in television.
How Did Deborah Norville Launch Her Career in Journalism?
Deborah Norville’s path to becoming a household name in journalism began in Dalton, Georgia, where she was born on August 8, 1958. A high achiever from the start, Norville won the Junior Miss pageant in her hometown and later represented Georgia at the national level. While she initially dreamed of a career in law, witnessing a live TV production at the pageant changed her course forever.
Norville attended the University of Georgia, where she graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA in journalism—and she did it in just three years. Her early career included an internship with Georgia Public Television, but it was at Atlanta’s WAGA-TV that she got her first break. She filled in as a reporter during a staff shortage, and the rest was history.
What Were Her Major Milestones on Television?
Deborah’s rise in the industry was rapid and impressive. By the early ’80s, she was anchoring the news at WMAQ-TV in Chicago, and in 1987, she made the leap to national television with NBC News in New York. Her stint as co-host on Today in 1990 was highly publicized—especially after she replaced the beloved Jane Pauley.
Though her time on Today was short-lived due to maternity leave and public scrutiny, Norville bounced back quickly. She transitioned into radio, then joined CBS News as a correspondent, appearing on 48 Hours, Street Stories, and anchoring the CBS Evening News.
In 1995, she took on what would become her signature role—anchor of Inside Edition. For three decades, Norville became a staple in American homes, covering everything from celebrity scandals to major news events with poise and professionalism. By 2015, she was recognized as the longest-serving female anchor on national television.
How Much Did Deborah Norville Earn From Hosting Inside Edition?
Norville was not just the face of Inside Edition—she was one of its key assets. According to reports, she earned an annual salary of $4 million, making her one of the highest-paid news anchors in the syndication space. Her steady presence and consistent ratings made her an invaluable part of the show’s success.
In addition to her on-camera work, Norville took on production roles in several projects, including MSNBC’s Deborah Norville Tonight (2003–2005) and documentary-style programs like Exposed with Deborah Norville and Executed with Deborah Norville on Reelz.
What Has She Done Outside of Television?
Deborah Norville isn’t just a journalist—she’s also an author, producer, and entrepreneur. She’s published several nonfiction books, including the motivational Thank You Power and The Power of Respect. She also wrote a memoir-style book titled The Way We Are, which offers behind-the-scenes insights into her 25 years on Inside Edition.
For younger readers, Norville wrote children’s books like I Don’t Want to Sleep Tonight and I Can Fly! Her book Knit with Deborah Norville reflects her passion for crafting—something she’s known to do off-camera, often crocheting or knitting during breaks on set.
She also has her own line of yarn and crafting supplies, which adds to her diversified income and reflects her ability to blend creativity with business.
What Challenges Has Deborah Faced in Her Personal Life?
In 2019, Norville publicly revealed she had undergone surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid nodule. Interestingly, it was a viewer who first spotted the lump on her neck and wrote to her. Though initially benign, the nodule eventually turned cancerous and required removal. Norville shared the experience openly, thanking the viewer and assuring fans that no chemotherapy or radiation was needed.
She’s been married since 1987 to Karl Wellner, a successful Swedish businessman and CEO of Papamarkou Wellner Asset Management. Together, they have three children—Niki, Kyle, and Mikaela—and have remained largely out of the public spotlight as a family.
What Honors Has Deborah Norville Received?
Norville’s work has not gone unnoticed. She’s a two-time Emmy Award winner, recognized for coverage of the 1989 Romanian revolution and the 1994 Mississippi floods. In 2016, she was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and in 2024, she was awarded the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award by the Broadcasters Foundation of America.
These honors reflect a career defined by integrity, longevity, and excellence in journalism.
Where Does Deborah Norville Live?
In terms of real estate, Norville and her husband have made some notable moves. In 2019, they listed their luxurious Park Avenue apartment in New York City for $4.5 million. The 3,000-square-foot home boasted four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and even a private library—a fitting residence for someone with such a rich media legacy.
From her groundbreaking role as a female anchor to her success as a writer and entrepreneur, Deborah Norville has carved out an inspiring and impactful career. With a net worth of $18 million in 2025 and an enduring presence in American media, she leaves Inside Edition as not just a familiar face, but as a trusted voice whose contributions to journalism will be remembered for decades to come.
