Gretchen Carlson is a prominent American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality. She gained national recognition as the co-host of the popular morning show "Fox & Friends" from 2005 to 2013. In 2016, Carlson filed a lawsuit against Roger Ailes, then-chairman and CEO of Fox News, alleging sexual harassment. Her courageous action led to Ailes's resignation and sparked a national conversation about workplace harassment, inspiring other women to come forward with their own stories. Prior to her career at Fox News, Carlson held various roles at CBS News and served as Miss America in 1989. She has since become a vocal advocate for women's rights and has authored several books, including "Be Fierce: Stop Harassment and Take Your Power Back." Carlson's work has contributed significantly to the dialogue surrounding gender equality and workplace safety.
1919: Main Motor Sales Founded
Gretchen Carlson's grandfather started Main Motor Sales in 1919.
June 21, 1966: Birth of Gretchen Carlson
Gretchen Elizabeth Carlson was born on June 21, 1966.
1976: Begins Attending Aspen Music Festival
Gretchen Carlson started attending the Aspen Music Festival in 1976.
1980: Joins Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony
Gretchen Carlson became a member of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony in 1980.
1981: American String Teachers Association Award
Gretchen Carlson won second place in the American String Teachers Association competition in 1981.
1982: Stulberg International String Competition Finalist
Gretchen Carlson was a finalist in the Stulberg International String Competition in 1982.
1983: Ends Attending Aspen Music Festival
Gretchen Carlson's time at the Aspen Music Festival ended in 1983.
1984: Graduates from Anoka High School
Gretchen Carlson graduated as valedictorian from Anoka High School in 1984.
June 1988: Crowned Miss Minnesota
Gretchen Carlson was crowned Miss Minnesota in June 1988.
September 10, 1988: Crowned Miss America
Gretchen Carlson was crowned Miss America on September 10, 1988.
1988: Miss Minnesota
Gretchen Carlson won Miss Minnesota in 1988.
1989: Joins WRIC-TV
One year after winning the Miss America competition, Carlson secured a position at WRIC-TV in 1989.
1989: Miss America
Gretchen Carlson was crowned Miss America in 1989.
1989: Year of Service as Miss America
Gretchen Carlson served as Miss America during 1989.
1990: Graduation from Stanford University
Gretchen Carlson graduated from Stanford University in 1990.
1990: Graduation from Stanford University
Gretchen Carlson graduated with honors from Stanford University in 1990, where she studied organizational behavior.
1992: Joins WCPO-TV
Gretchen Carlson started working at WCPO-TV in 1992.
October 4, 1997: Carlson Marries Casey Close
Gretchen Carlson married sports agent Casey Close on October 4, 1997. They reside in Greenwich, Connecticut, with their two children.
1998: Joins KXAS-TV
Gretchen Carlson began working at KXAS-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas in 1998.
2000: Becomes National Correspondent
Gretchen Carlson transitioned to a national correspondent role in 2000.
2000: Leaves KXAS-TV
Gretchen Carlson's time at KXAS-TV ended in 2000.
2002: The Early Show on CBS
Gretchen Carlson began as the co-anchor of the Saturday edition of The Early Show in 2002.
2002: Co-anchor of The Early Show
In 2002, Gretchen Carlson started co-anchoring the Saturday edition of The Early Show on CBS.
2005: Move to Fox and Friends
Gretchen Carlson joined the Fox and Friends team in 2005.
2005: Co-host of Fox and Friends
In 2005, Gretchen Carlson began co-hosting Fox and Friends.
September 25, 2006: Becomes Anchor of Fox & Friends
Gretchen Carlson became the anchor of Fox & Friends on September 25, 2006.
June 9, 2009: Carlson Advocates for Family Car Dealership
On June 9, 2009, Gretchen Carlson announced on Fox & Friends and Glenn Beck's program that her parents' car dealership was slated for closure during the General Motors reorganization. The dealership was ultimately saved a year later.
2012: Walks Off Set of Fox & Friends
Gretchen Carlson walked off the set of Fox & Friends in 2012 due to offensive comments made by colleagues.
September 2013: Starts The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson
Gretchen Carlson's show, The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson, premiered in September 2013.
2013: Departure from Fox and Friends
Gretchen Carlson left Fox and Friends in 2013.
2013: The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson
Gretchen Carlson transitioned to hosting The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson on Fox News in 2013.
2013: Admits Fox News Dress Code Restrictions
In 2013 Gretchen Carlson revealed that Fox News had restrictions on female anchors wearing pants.
2014: Returns to Fox & Friends for Cooking Segment
Gretchen Carlson made a guest appearance on Fox & Friends in 2014 for a cooking segment.
2015: Promotes Memoir on Fox & Friends
Gretchen Carlson appeared on Fox & Friends to promote her memoir, Getting Real, in 2015.
2015: "Getting Real" Book Release
Gretchen Carlson published her memoir, "Getting Real," in 2015. The book details her upbringing in Minnesota, her violin career, her Miss America win, and her television career.
July 2016: Lawsuit against Roger Ailes
In July 2016, Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Roger Ailes, alleging sexual harassment.
September 2016: Settlement with 21st Century Fox
In September 2016, Gretchen Carlson reached a settlement with 21st Century Fox in her lawsuit against Roger Ailes.
2016: Departure from Fox News
Gretchen Carlson's time at Fox News concluded in 2016.
2017: "Be Fierce" Book Release and Advocacy
In 2017, Gretchen Carlson published "Be Fierce: Stop Harassment And Take Your Power Back." The book addressed her experiences at Fox News within the confines of her NDA and shared stories of workplace sexual harassment from other women. Profits from the New York Times bestseller benefited the Gift of Courage Fund.
2017: Time 100
Gretchen Carlson was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People In The World in 2017.
2018: Chairwoman of Miss America Organization
Gretchen Carlson served as chairwoman of the Miss America Organization in 2018.
December 13, 2019: "Bombshell" Film Release
The film "Bombshell," depicting Gretchen Carlson's experiences at Fox News and the events leading to Roger Ailes' resignation, was released on December 13, 2019. Nicole Kidman played Carlson, alongside Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron, and John Lithgow.
2019: Co-founds Lift Our Voices
Gretchen Carlson co-founded Lift Our Voices in 2019 to advocate against NDAs and forced arbitration.
2019: End of Term as Miss America Chairwoman
Gretchen Carlson's term as chairwoman of the Miss America Organization ended in 2019.
2019: Carlson's Fox News Career Portrayed in "The Loudest Voice"
Gretchen Carlson's time at Fox News was depicted in the 2019 Showtime miniseries "The Loudest Voice," with Naomi Watts portraying Carlson. The series shed light on previously undisclosed aspects of Carlson's relationship with Roger Ailes due to a confidentiality agreement.
2019: Carlson Meets Yo-Yo Ma at Dreamforce
In 2019, Gretchen Carlson, a lifelong admirer of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, met him at the Dreamforce Conference in San Francisco, where they both spoke.
January 2020: Carlson's LOV Asks Presidential Candidates to Support NDA Reform
In January 2020, Gretchen Carlson's organization, Lift Our Voices (LOV), requested all presidential candidates to support their initiative. All candidates except Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar, and Michael Bloomberg agreed.
November 2020: Lawsuits Reveal Toxic Culture at Bloomberg Company
In November 2020, lawsuits revealed by Business Insider detailed allegations from multiple women claiming Michael Bloomberg fostered a toxic work environment at his company during the 1990s.
2021: Carlson, Roginsky, and Scarlett Advocate for NDA Reform in Washington State
In 2021, Gretchen Carlson, Julie Roginsky, and Cher Scarlett co-authored an essay urging the Washington State Legislature to pass a bill expanding worker protections against unlawful workplace conduct, including limiting the use of NDAs in cases of discrimination, assault, and harassment.
February 2022: Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act
In February 2022, the U.S. Congress passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, championed by Gretchen Carlson.
March 2022: Ending Forced Arbitration Act Signed into Law
President Joe Biden signed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act into law in March 2022.
December 2022: Speak Out Act Signed into Law
President Joe Biden signed the Speak Out Act into law in December 2022, another bill supported by Gretchen Carlson.