The Astonishing Salary of Maria Bartiromo Exposed Amid Fox News Lawsuit

Fox News has found itself at the center of a high-profile legal battle, one that has unveiled surprising details about the network’s internal operations—most notably, the staggering compensation of its longtime anchor Maria Bartiromo. Court documents released during Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox revealed that Bartiromo has earned more than $70 million from the network since joining in 2014, a figure that has shocked both media insiders and the public alike. These revelations came from deposition transcripts obtained by TheWrap, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the financial arrangements at one of America’s leading news organizations.

During her deposition, Bartiromo was questioned extensively about her earnings. When asked if it was accurate that her total compensation between her start at Fox and her upcoming 2025 contract exceeded $70 million, she confirmed the figure without hesitation. The disclosure sent immediate ripples through the media landscape, sparking widespread discussion among industry analysts, critics, and viewers, all attempting to contextualize such a massive sum in a single career span.

To understand the magnitude of Bartiromo’s earnings, comparisons to other Fox personalities are striking. Sean Hannity, one of the network’s most prominent figures, reportedly earns around $25 million annually, while Jesse Watters receives roughly $5 million and Greg Gutfeld about $9 million per year. These comparisons underscore just how substantial Bartiromo’s cumulative compensation has been, reflecting not only her longevity at the network but also her importance as a top-tier anchor during highly politically charged periods.

Bartiromo joined Fox in 2014 after a distinguished two-decade career at CNBC, where she earned recognition as a leading financial reporter. Her transition to Fox Business and Fox News marked a major career shift, cementing her status as one of the most visible journalists in cable news. Over the years, she became particularly known for her coverage of financial markets and high-profile interviews with influential political figures. One of her most controversial interviews came shortly after the 2020 presidential election, when former President Donald Trump claimed—without evidence—that the election had been “rigged” and alleged widespread voter fraud involving Smartmatic voting machines.

The interview, which attracted national attention, later became a focal point in Smartmatic’s defamation lawsuit. Critics accused Bartiromo of failing to challenge Trump’s statements aggressively, suggesting she was overly accommodating during a discussion that had far-reaching implications for the company and the public perception of election integrity. Fox News defended the interview as part of its journalistic duties, arguing that Smartmatic’s business had already faced challenges prior to the broadcast and that the company had overstated its damages. Additionally, Fox highlighted international legal issues involving Smartmatic, including bribery allegations in the Philippines, positioning itself as ready to defend its reporting under the principles of free speech.

Despite the complex legal proceedings, the revelation of Bartiromo’s $70 million salary quickly eclipsed other aspects of the lawsuit in public discourse. The size of her compensation prompted widespread astonishment and became a dominant topic of conversation across media outlets and social platforms. Observers noted that the disclosure highlighted not only Bartiromo’s personal value to Fox but also her role as a reliable presence during some of the network’s most politically sensitive and high-stakes coverage periods.

The deposition documents offered an unusual window into Fox’s internal compensation structure. For years, media watchers had speculated about the pay scales of top anchors, but Bartiromo’s earnings provided a level of transparency rarely seen in the industry. Discussions emerged regarding the broader economics of cable news, particularly the significant investments networks make to retain star anchors, the influence these personalities wield, and the financial risks associated with supporting controversial figures during contentious times.

Some commentators suggested that Bartiromo’s high earnings might reflect her willingness to navigate politically charged narratives, while others argued it was simply the cost of securing a trusted and well-known journalist in a competitive market. Regardless of the reasoning, the salary disclosure shifted the conversation from programming and ratings to the extraordinary financial rewards enjoyed by a single individual—benefits now revealed as part of a lawsuit unrelated to compensation.

Ultimately, the revelation about Maria Bartiromo’s pay underscores both her status as a key Fox News figure and the broader financial dynamics of American cable news. Her decades-long tenure, visibility during political controversies, and enduring influence within the network make her compensation notable not only for its size but for what it signals about the value of star power in modern journalism. As the Smartmatic lawsuit continues, the conversation surrounding Bartiromo’s salary has illuminated the intersection of media, money, and influence, prompting renewed discussion about the inner workings of high-stakes news networks and the rewards they offer to their top talent.