Tavis Smiley, an award-winning American journalist, is also a talk show host and author. At the age of 13, he became interested in politics after attending a fundraiser for U.S. Senator Birch Bayh. So then went on to study public affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington. Tavis worked as an aide to Los Angeles Mayor Bill Bradley after graduation in the 1980s. He began his career as a radio commentator in 1991 and began hosting the talk show BET Talk on Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 1996.
Between 2002 and 2004, he hosted three shows: The Tavis Smiley Show on National Public Radio, The Tavis Smiley Show on Public Radio International, and Tavis Smiley on Public Broadcasting Services. Tavis even collaborated with political activist Cornel West to host their radio talk show, Smiley & West.
Tavis, in addition to journaling, has written a number of books, including Doing What’s Right, Keeping The Faith, and What I Know For Sure. He is now the host of a new online series titled “The Upside with Tavis Smiley.”
What is Tavis Smiley Net Worth?
Tavis, as one of the most versatile people, has written thirty-one books about political and social issues in American society. Aside from that, he owns a private radio show and royalties that provide him with a substantial salary. Tavis has already amassed a staggering net worth of $10 million as a result of his career.
Tavis Smiley’s: Biography and Family Life
Tavis, 53, was born on September 13, 1964, in Gulfport, Mississippi, to a single teenage mother, Joyce Marie Roberts. Tavis was born when she was only 18 years old.
Joyce married Emory Garnell Smiley, a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force when Tavis was two years old. Emory was transferred to Grissom Air Force Base shortly after his marriage. As a result, Joyce, Tavis, and her husband relocated to Bunker Hill, Indiana. Tavis enrolled at Bunker Hill’s Maconaquah High School while there. However, life was not easy for him in his new home because his stepfather used to physically abuse him.
Furthermore, Tavis was accused of being a slacker in school when he was in seventh grade. Emory beat him up and placed him in foster care after he returned home. Despite his childhood hardships, Tavis concentrated on his career and moved on from his past to embrace professional bliss.
Is Tavis married or Single?
When it comes to his relationship status, talk show host Tavis, who is of American nationality and African-American ethnicity, remains tight-lipped in the media.
Unlike his open career, Tavis has kept his marital status a secret. There has never been any mention of his wedding or having a wife in the media. Tavis is frequently assumed to be gay due to the absence of a wife and girlfriend in his life. However, he has not said anything about it. Furthermore, there is no evidence to back up that speculation. Perhaps Tavis is more concerned with his career than with dating and relationships.
Tavis Smiley; Is Charged With Sexual Misconduct?
Tavis Smiley was suspended indefinitely by PBS on December 13, 2017, after being accused of having sexual relationships with multiple staff members. He was also charged with being responsible for the employment status of those with whom he had a relationship. Tavis described the PBS investigation as sloppy and biased on December 14, 2017. He even stated that he would fight the allegations and the resulting reputational damage.
Tavis went on a nationwide tour shortly after his suspension to defend his innocence while also supporting the #MeToo movement and denouncing workplace harassment. Tavis was eventually fired by the PBS network in January 2018. However, in response to the network’s allegations against him, talk-show host Tavis filed a lawsuit against PBS on February 20, 2018, claiming racial bias and breach of contract.
Quick Information
- Date of Birth=Sep 13, 1964
- Age=56 Years, 11 Months
- Nationality=American
- Profession=Television Host
- Marital Status=Single
- Gay/Lesbain=No
- Ethnicity=Afro-American
- Net Worth=$10 Million
- Height=6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- Education=Indiana University?
- Parents=Joyce Marie Roberts (Mother)