Kay Burley, a name synonymous with British television news, has been a formidable presence on our screens for decades. Known for her sharp interviewing style and extensive career at Sky News, many are curious about her financial standing, personal life, and recent developments. This blog post delves into Kay Burley’s net worth, biography, career milestones, relationships, and the latest news surrounding the veteran journalist.
Kay Burley’s Net Worth
Estimating the precise net worth of public figures can be challenging, as much of this information is not publicly disclosed. However, based on various reports and her long, successful career in a high-profile media role, Kay Burley’s net worth is estimated to be between £2.4 million and £4 million. (Source: Daily Express, Mabumbe)
It was reported in 2011 that her annual salary from Sky News was around £500,000. (Source: Daily Express) While Sky News, unlike the BBC, is not obligated to release employee salaries, it’s reasonable to assume that her earnings may have increased over the subsequent years. Burley herself has described her salary as “good.” (Source: The Guardian via Daily Express)
In addition to her broadcasting income, Burley has reportedly made sound investments in property. She mentioned that the value of a five-bedroom home she purchased in 1999 had quadrupled after refurbishment. She also owns a holiday home in the Cotswolds. (Source: Daily Express)
While some might perceive television presenters’ salaries as “silly money,” Burley has defended her earnings, highlighting the challenging nature of the job. She has also stated a preference for spending downtime with family over pursuing additional income through activities like corporate after-dinner speeches, asserting that she earns “more than enough as it is.” (Source: The Mirror, Mail on Sunday)
Latest News: Retirement from Sky News
The most significant recent news concerning Kay Burley is her retirement from Sky News after an illustrious 36-year career with the broadcaster. She announced her departure on February 5, 2025, during her final breakfast programme. (Source: The Economic Times, Sky News)
In her farewell statement, Burley expressed gratitude to her colleagues and viewers, reflecting on her extensive career covering numerous life-changing events and 12 general elections. She mentioned her intention to “indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.” (Source: The Economic Times, Sky News)
David Rhodes, executive chairman of Sky News, praised Burley’s “unmatched” legacy in television journalism and her commitment to Sky. Tributes also poured in from colleagues and fellow journalists, acknowledging her significant impact on British news and current affairs. (Source: Sky News, The Economic Times) An insider source, however, offered a more critical perspective on her on-set demeanor, describing her as a “force” with “sharp elbows” who was “laser focused on her career.” (Source: Daily Express)
Biography
Age: Kay Burley was born on December 17, 1960, making her 64 years old as of early 2025. (Source: IMDb, Wigan Today, Wikipedia)
Early Life and Education: Born Kay Elizabeth McGurrin in Wigan, Lancashire, England, her parents worked in a cardboard-making factory. She was brought up in Beech Hill, Wigan, and attended Whitley High School (which closed in 1990). (Source: Wikipedia)
Career
Kay Burley’s journalism career began at the young age of 17, working for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle. (Source: Wikipedia, Sky News)
Her early career included positions at:
- BBC Local Radio (Source: Wikipedia)
- Tyne Tees Television (Source: Wikipedia, Sky News)
- TV-am (joined in 1985 as a reporter and occasional newsreader; from 1987, she presented TV-am’s first hour) (Source: Wikipedia)
In November 1988, Burley was recruited by Andrew Neil and joined Sky Television, launching the Sky One Entertainment Channel with her own documentary, “The Satellite Revolution.” She then moved to the newly established Sky News in 1989, becoming one of its founding presenters. (Source: Wikipedia, Sky News, Speakers Corner)
Over her 36 years at Sky News, Burley became one of Britain’s most recognizable news presenters and the longest-serving female newsreader on British television, with over a million minutes of live broadcasting to her name. (Source: Speakers Corner, The Economic Times)
She covered numerous major global events, including:
- The death of Diana, Princess of Wales (1997) (Source: Wikipedia, Sky News)
- The September 11th attacks (her live coverage won Sky News a BAFTA award) (Source: Sky News, Wikipedia)
- The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami (fronting Sky News coverage from Sri Lanka) (Source: Wikipedia, The Economic Times)
- Hurricane Katrina (Source: Speakers Corner)
- The wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles (2005) (Source: Wikipedia)
- Multiple general elections (Source: The Economic Times)
- The birth of Prince George (2013) (Source: Wikipedia)
- The recent conflict in Libya (Source: Speakers Corner)
In 2018, she began hosting her own show, The Kay Burley Show, which moved to the breakfast slot the following year. (Source: The Economic Times) She anchored the Kay Burley @ Breakfast show on Sky News until her retirement in February 2025. (Source: Sky News)
Beyond Sky News, Burley has made occasional contributions to the Sunday Mirror and appeared on Channel 5’s news bulletins in 2006. She also co-presented a Sunday show on LBC Radio with Stig Abell starting in March 2014. (Source: Wikipedia, Speakers Corner) In 2007, she participated in the second series of the ITV reality show Dancing on Ice, skating for MacMillan Cancer Care in memory of her mother. (Source: Wikipedia)
Notable Incidents:
- COVID-19 Rule Breach (December 2020): Burley was suspended from Sky News for six months after an internal review found she breached London’s tier 2 coronavirus restrictions while celebrating her 60th birthday. She later apologized for her actions. (Source: Wikipedia, Wigan Today)
- Ofcom Complaints (October 2023): Sky News acknowledged that on-air remarks made by Burley regarding the Palestinian ambassador to the UK “gave a potentially misleading representation” of his views, following 1,537 complaints to the media watchdog Ofcom. (Source: Wigan Today)
Writing: Kay Burley is also an accomplished author.
- Her debut novel, First Ladies, an erotic romance set in the media industry, was published by Harper Collins in 2011. (Source: Wikipedia, Speakers Corner)
- Her second novel, Betrayal, followed in 2012. (Source: Speakers Corner)
Awards and Recognition:
- Her live coverage of the 9/11 attacks contributed to Sky News winning a BAFTA award. (Source: Sky News)
- She has been nominated for awards such as Presenter of the Year. (Source: Speakers Corner)
Relationships and Personal Life
Kay Burley has been married twice:
- Steve Burley: She married fellow reporter Steve Burley in 1980 when she was 19. They divorced six years later. (Source: The Mirror, Daily Express)
- Steve Kutner: She later married football agent Steve Kutner (a former agent for Frank Lampard) when she was 28, around 1993. They had one son, Alexander ‘Alex’ or ‘Wolfie’ Kutner, born in 1993. The couple divorced about a year later, around 1994. (Source: IMDb, Wikipedia, The Mirror, Daily Express)
Despite two divorces, Burley has referred to them as “two successful marriages.” (Source: The Mirror, Daily Express)
She was also in a five-year relationship with George Pascoe-Watson, a former political editor turned PR man, which ended in 2009. (Source: Daily Express)
Kay Burley has spoken publicly about the impact of breast cancer on her family, having lost her mother to the disease when her mother was 57 and Burley’s son was just eight months old. She is a committed ambassador for Macmillan Cancer Support. (Source: Daily Express, Speakers Corner)
Kay Burley’s long and impactful career has undoubtedly left a significant mark on British journalism. Her recent retirement marks the end of an era at Sky News, but her legacy as a tenacious and prominent news anchor will endure.