Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Megyn Kelly
Discover the career path of Megyn Kelly, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Megyn Kelly is an American journalist, attorney, political commentator, and media personality. She hosts "The Megyn Kelly Show" on Sirius XM and YouTube. Prior to her current role, Kelly held prominent positions at Fox News from 2004 to 2017, where she hosted "America Live" and "The Kelly File," and at NBC News from 2017 to 2018, anchoring "Megyn Kelly Today." In 2025 she launched MK Media, a podcast and video network. She was recognized as one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2014 and 2025.
1996: Co-wrote "The Conflicting Roles of Lawyer as Director"
In the fall of 1996, Megyn Kelly co-wrote an article titled "The Conflicting Roles of Lawyer as Director" for the American Bar Association's journal, Litigation.
2003: Joined WJLA-TV
In 2003, Kelly moved to Washington, D.C., and was hired by WJLA-TV as a general assignment reporter.
2004: Applied for job at Fox News
In 2004, Kelly applied for a job at Fox News, contributing legal segments and hosting "Kelly's Court" during Weekend Live.
2004: Joined Fox News
In 2004, Megyn Kelly began working at Fox News, where she hosted programs such as America Live and The Kelly File.
2004: Covered 2004 Presidential Election
In 2004, as a reporter for WJLA-TV, Megyn Kelly covered national and local events, including the 2004 presidential election.
2005: Trump's sexual comments in an audio recording
In October 2016, a contentious discussion between Kelly and Newt Gingrich on The Kelly File regarding Trump's sexual comments in a 2005 audio recording gained widespread social media reaction.
February 1, 2010: Began hosting America Live
On February 1, 2010, Kelly began hosting her own two-hour afternoon show, America Live, on Fox News.
December 2010: Hosted New Year's Eve special
In December 2010, Kelly hosted a New Year's Eve special with Bill Hemmer on Fox News.
2010: Hosted America Live
From 2010 to 2013, Kelly hosted America Live on Fox News and co-anchored America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer.
July 2013: Left America Live and Took Maternity Leave
In July 2013, Kelly left America Live and took maternity leave from Fox News.
2013: The Kelly File
From 2013 to 2017, Megyn Kelly's show The Kelly File aired, focusing on breaking news and political events.
June 2015: Interviewed Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar
In June 2015, Kelly interviewed Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting regarding their son Josh Duggar's alleged molestation, which drew significant viewership.
August 6, 2015: Republican Party Presidential Debate
On August 6, 2015, during a Republican Party presidential debate, Kelly questioned Donald Trump about his temperament and past insulting comments towards women, leading to a media and political reaction and criticism from Trump.
2015: Moderated first Republican Party presidential debate
In 2015, while at Fox News, Megyn Kelly famously moderated the first Republican Party presidential debate.
February 2016: Book Deal with HarperCollins
In February 2016, Megyn Kelly signed an agreement with HarperCollins to write an autobiography, in a deal worth more than $10 million.
March 2016: Announced Prime Time Special on Fox
In March 2016, Kelly announced that she would host a one-hour prime time special on the Fox network, featuring interviews with celebrities from various fields.
May 2016: Aired Prime Time Special on Fox
In May 2016, Kelly's one-hour prime time special aired on Fox, acquiring 4.8 million viewers but placing third in the ratings.
September 2016: Collaboration on Embeds
In September 2016, it was reported that Kelly would collaborate with Michael De Luca to produce Embeds, a scripted comedy about reporters covering politics, to be aired on a streaming service.
November 15, 2016: Release of 'Settle for More'
On November 15, 2016, Megyn Kelly's autobiography, titled Settle for More, was released.
2016: Moderated Presidential Primary Debates
In both the 2016 and 2024 election cycles, Megyn Kelly moderated several presidential primary debates.
2016: Rumors of moving to other news networks
In late 2016, with her Fox contract in its final months, Kelly was rumored to be actively considering moving to other news networks.
January 6, 2017: Departed Fox News
On January 6, 2017, Kelly departed Fox News after the last episode of The Kelly File was aired.
June 2, 2017: Interviewed Vladimir Putin
On June 2, 2017, Megyn Kelly interviewed Russian president Vladimir Putin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
June 4, 2017: NBC's Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly Premiere
On June 4, 2017, the premiere episode of NBC's Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly aired, featuring Kelly's one-on-one interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
July 2017: Non-compete clause with Fox
In January 2017, it was reported that Kelly remained under a non-compete clause with Fox until July 2017, which would prevent her from working for a competitor until the clause expired.
September 2017: Megyn Kelly Today Premiered
In September 2017, Kelly's daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, premiered on NBC.
2017: Joined Dateline NBC
In 2017, Megyn Kelly joined Dateline NBC, reporting stories for the show.
2018: Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly Return Cancelled
After an initial run of eight episodes in the summer of 2017, NBC planned to bring back Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly for the summer of 2018, but this return never materialized.
January 11, 2019: Termination from NBC
On January 11, 2019, Megyn Kelly's employment with NBC was terminated, and she was paid the $30 million due for the remainder of her contract.
January 2019: Left NBC News
In January 2019, Kelly left NBC and transitioned to independent media.
September 10, 2020: Devil May Care Media Launch
On September 10, 2020, Megyn Kelly announced the launch of her media production company, Devil May Care Media, which included a podcast called The Megyn Kelly Show.
September 28, 2020: The Megyn Kelly Show Premiere
On September 28, 2020, The Megyn Kelly Show podcast premiered, marking the beginning of Kelly's venture into independent media production.
July 6, 2021: The Megyn Kelly Show move to Sirius XM
On July 6, 2021, it was announced that The Megyn Kelly Show podcast would move to Sirius XM on September 7, 2021, and be broadcast on the talk radio channel Triumph.
September 7, 2021: The Megyn Kelly Show begins on Sirius XM
On September 7, 2021, The Megyn Kelly Show began broadcasting on Sirius XM's Triumph channel, with a video simulcast available to Sirius XM subscribers.
November 30, 2023: Revealed Role in 'Mr. Birchum'
On November 30, 2023, Megyn Kelly revealed on her show that she was set to star in Mr. Birchum, a new Daily Wire adult animated comedy series alongside Danny Trejo, Roseanne Barr, and Adam Carolla.
December 6, 2023: Moderating Republican Primary Debate
On December 6, 2023, Megyn Kelly co-moderated the fourth Republican primary debate on NewsNation with Elizabeth Vargas and Eliana Johnson, marking her return to moderating a presidential debate since 2015 during her time at Fox News.
2024: Moderated Presidential Primary Debates
In both the 2016 and 2024 election cycles, Megyn Kelly moderated several presidential primary debates.
2024: Debut of 'Mr. Birchum'
Megyn Kelly starred in Mr. Birchum, which debuted in early 2024.
January 2025: YouTube Channel Success
As of January 2025, Megyn Kelly's YouTube channel has over 3.2 million subscribers and ranks among the top ten podcasts in the U.S.
February 18, 2025: Launch of AM Update with Megyn Kelly
On February 18, 2025, Megyn Kelly announced the launch of her second podcast, AM Update with Megyn Kelly, which premiered on February 19 and features a daily digest format summarizing major headlines.
March 2025: Launch of MK Media
In March 2025, Megyn Kelly launched MK Media, a podcast and video network focused on news and entertainment, with an initial lineup of shows.
June 2025: Launch of After Party with Emily Jashinsky
In June 2025, the first additional show, After Party with Emily Jashinsky, was launched by MK Media.
2025: Launched MK Media
In 2025, Megyn Kelly launched MK Media, a podcast and video network.
2025: Shift in Political Standing
In 2025, Megyn Kelly opened up about her shift in political standing over the years on The Megyn Kelly Show.
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