Who Is Jane Pauley?
Jane Pauley is one of America’s most respected television journalists and authors. Born Margaret Jane Pauley on October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, she has spent over five decades in broadcast journalism. Jane Pauley Age She is best known as the former co-host of NBC’s Today show and current anchor of CBS Sunday Morning.
Her career spans NBC, CBS, and multiple bestselling books — making her a true icon of American television.
How Old Is Jane Pauley in 2026?
Jane Pauley is 75 years old as of 2026. She was born on October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Margaret Jane Pauley |
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1950 |
| Age (2026) | 75 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Jane Pauley Early Life and Education
Jane Pauley grew up in Indianapolis as the second child of Richard Grandison Pauley, a traveling salesman, and Mary E. Pauley, a homemaker. She has always looked up to her older sister, Ann Pauley, as her closest confidante and role model.
As a student at Warren Central High School, Pauley was an outstanding debater and placed first in the Girls’ Extemporaneous Speaking division of the National Forensic League in Indiana.
She later attended Indiana University Bloomington, where she majored in Political Science and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1972.
Jane Pauley Career: From NBC Today to CBS Sunday Morning
NBC Today Show (1976–1989)
At just 25 years old, Jane Pauley was chosen to replace Barbara Walters as co-host of NBC’s Today show in 1976. She co-hosted the program for 13 years — first alongside Tom Brokaw and later Bryant Gumbel — becoming one of the most recognized faces in American morning television.
During this time, she became a symbol of professional women in journalism and a role model for working mothers across the country.
Dateline NBC (1992–2003)
After leaving the Today show in 1989, Pauley co-anchored Dateline NBC from its premiere in 1992 alongside Stone Phillips, covering major investigative stories for over a decade.
The Jane Pauley Show (2004–2005)
In 2004, she hosted her own daytime talk show, The Jane Pauley Show, distributed by NBC Universal. Though the show was canceled after one season, Pauley described it as the hardest and proudest year of her professional life.
CBS Sunday Morning (2016–Present)
In 2014, Pauley appeared on CBS Sunday Morning as an interview subject, and the audience response was so overwhelming that she was hired as a contributor. On September 25, 2016, it was announced she would become the permanent host of CBS Sunday Morning, succeeding Charles Osgood — making her only the third host in the show’s long history.
She continues to anchor CBS Sunday Morning as of 2026, bringing her signature warmth and journalistic depth to millions of viewers every week.
Jane Pauley Net Worth 2026
Jane Pauley’s estimated net worth is $40 million as of 2026. Her wealth has been accumulated over more than five decades through:
- Salary from NBC (Today, Dateline)
- Salary from CBS (CBS Sunday Morning)
- Book sales and memoir royalties
- Public speaking engagements
She earns an estimated annual salary of $1.2 million from her role at CBS News, making her one of the highest-paid anchors in American television.
Jane Pauley Husband: Garry Trudeau
Jane Pauley is married to Garry Trudeau, the famous cartoonist and creator of the long-running comic strip Doonesbury. The couple married on June 14, 1980, and have been together for over 45 years.
Garry Trudeau was born on July 21, 1948, in New York. He is widely regarded as one of America’s most influential political cartoonists and has won the Pulitzer Prize for his work.
Jane Pauley Children
Jane Pauley and Garry Trudeau have three children:
- Rachel Trudeau — Twin daughter, born December 30, 1983
- Ross Trudeau — Twin son, born December 30, 1983
- Thomas Trudeau — Younger son, born 1986
Jane became a symbol for working mothers after giving birth to twins in 1983 while maintaining her high-profile career at NBC. She is also a proud grandmother of multiple grandchildren.
Jane Pauley New Haircut 2026
One of the most searched topics about Jane Pauley is her iconic hairstyle. Over the decades, her hair has evolved from the feathered big curls of the early 1980s to a rounded bob in the mid-career years.
As of 2026, Jane Pauley sports a sleek pixie cut with a side part — a sophisticated, low-maintenance style that perfectly suits her personality and professional image. The grown-out pixie cut adds volume and complements her face structure beautifully.
Her haircut evolution reflects her confidence and willingness to embrace change — qualities that have defined her entire career.
Jane Pauley Mental Health Advocacy
In her 2004 memoir, “Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue”, Jane Pauley openly discussed her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, which was triggered by medication she took after being hospitalized for an allergic reaction.
Her courage in speaking publicly about mental health has made her a powerful advocate. She received the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Rana and Ken Purdy Award for her advocacy work.
Jane Pauley Awards and Achievements
Jane Pauley is one of the most decorated journalists in American broadcasting history:
- 11 Emmy Awards throughout her career
- Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
- Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Achievement
- News and Documentary Emmy Award (2002)
- Daytime Emmy Awards (2015 and 2019)
- Inducted into the Broadcast and Cable Hall of Fame (1998)
- Paul White Award from the Radio and Television News Directors Association for Lifetime Contribution to Electronic Journalism
Quick Facts About Jane Pauley
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Margaret Jane Pauley |
| Age | 75 (as of 2026) |
| Birthday | October 31, 1950 |
| Birthplace | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 m) |
| Husband | Garry Trudeau (m. 1980) |
| Children | Rachel, Ross, Thomas |
| Net Worth | $40 Million |
| Salary | $1.2 Million/year |
| Current Job | Anchor, CBS Sunday Morning |
| Education | B.A. Political Science, Indiana University |
| Known For | NBC Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How old is Jane Pauley?
A: Jane Pauley is 75 years old as of 2026. She was born on October 31, 1950, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Q: What is Jane Pauley’s net worth?
A: Jane Pauley’s net worth is estimated at $40 million, earned through her decades-long career in broadcast journalism at NBC and CBS.
Q: Who are Jane Pauley’s children?
A: Jane Pauley has three children with husband Garry Trudeau — twins Rachel and Ross Trudeau (born 1983) and son Thomas Trudeau (born 1986).
Q: Is Jane Pauley still on CBS Sunday Morning?
A: Yes, Jane Pauley continues to anchor CBS Sunday Morning as of 2026. She has hosted the show since 2016.
Q: What is Jane Pauley’s new haircut?
A: Jane Pauley currently wears a sleek pixie cut with a side part, which she has been sporting in recent years on CBS Sunday Morning.
Q: Who is Jane Pauley married to?
A: Jane Pauley is married to cartoonist Garry Trudeau, creator of the Doonesbury comic strip. They married on June 14, 1980.
Q: Did Jane Pauley have bipolar disorder?
A: Yes. Jane Pauley publicly revealed her bipolar disorder diagnosis in her 2004 memoir “Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue” and has been an advocate for mental health awareness since.
Q: What shows has Jane Pauley hosted?
A: Jane Pauley has hosted NBC Today (1976–1989), Dateline NBC (1992–2003), The Jane Pauley Show (2004–2005), and CBS Sunday Morning (2016–present).
