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. Known for her roles at Fox News (2004-2017) where she hosted shows like 'America Live' and 'The Kelly File,' and NBC News (2017-2018) with 'Megyn Kelly Today,' she currently hosts 'The Megyn Kelly Show' on Sirius XM and YouTube. In 2025, she launched MK Media, a podcast and video network featuring independent creators. Kelly was recognized as one of Time's 100 most influential people in both 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, while working as an associate attorney in Chicago.
2003: Hired by WJLA-TV
In 2003, Megyn Kelly moved to Washington, D.C., where she was hired by the ABC affiliate WJLA-TV as a general assignment reporter.
2004: Started at Fox News
In 2004, Megyn Kelly began working at Fox News, where she hosted programs including America Live and The Kelly File.
2004: Covered 2004 Presidential Election
In 2004, Megyn Kelly, working for WJLA-TV, covered national and local events, including the 2004 presidential election.
February 1, 2010: Began Hosting America Live
On February 1, 2010, Megyn Kelly began hosting her own two-hour afternoon show, America Live, which replaced The Live Desk on Fox News.
December 2010: Hosted New Year's Eve Special
In December 2010, Megyn Kelly co-hosted a New Year's Eve special with Bill Hemmer on Fox News.
2010: Hosted America Live
From 2010 to 2013, Megyn Kelly hosted America Live on Fox News and co-anchored America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer.
July 2013: Left America Live
In July 2013, Megyn Kelly left America Live on Fox News and took maternity leave before starting her new program.
2013: Hosted The Kelly File
From 2013 to 2017, Megyn Kelly hosted The Kelly File, a program focused on breaking news and political events, which aired on Fox News.
June 2015: Interviewed the Duggars
In June 2015, Megyn Kelly interviewed Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting regarding their son Josh Duggar's alleged molestation of five girls in 2002. She also interviewed two of their daughters, Jill and Jessa.
August 6, 2015: Republican Party Presidential Debate
On August 6, 2015, Megyn Kelly asked then-presidential candidate Donald Trump about his past insulting remarks towards women during a Republican Party presidential debate, which resulted in a range of media and political reactions, including criticism from Trump. Trump declined to attend the Iowa January 28 debate that she moderated.
2015: Moderation of first Republican Party presidential debate
In 2015, Megyn Kelly moderated the first Republican Party presidential debate while at Fox News.
February 2016: Book deal with HarperCollins
In February 2016, Megyn Kelly signed an agreement with HarperCollins to write an autobiography for more than $10 million.
March 2016: Announced Primetime Special
In March 2016, it was announced that Megyn Kelly would host a one-hour primetime special on the Fox network, featuring interviews with celebrities.
May 2016: Aired Primetime Special
In May 2016, Megyn Kelly's one-hour primetime special aired on the Fox network. It acquired 4.8 million viewers and placed third in the ratings.
September 2016: Producing Embeds
In September 2016, it was reported that Megyn Kelly would be collaborating 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 autobiography "Settle for More"
On November 15, 2016, Megyn Kelly's autobiography, "Settle for More", was released.
2016: Moderated Presidential Primary Debates
In 2016 and 2024, Megyn Kelly moderated several presidential primary debates.
2016: Rumored to be Considering Moving to Other News Networks
In late 2016, with her Fox contract in its final months, Megyn Kelly was rumored to be actively considering moving to other news networks.
January 6, 2017: Departed Fox News
On January 6, 2017, Megyn 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, Megyn Kelly's one-on-one interview with Vladimir Putin aired as the premiere episode of NBC's Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly.
July 2017: Non-compete Clause
In January 2017 People reported that Megyn 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, Megyn Kelly's daytime talk show, Megyn Kelly Today, premiered on NBC.
2017: Joined Dateline NBC
In 2017, after an initial run of eight episodes in the summer, Kelly continued to report stories for Dateline NBC during the summer of 2018, continuing her work for the show.
2018: Left NBC News
In 2018, Megyn Kelly left NBC News after hosting Megyn Kelly Today.
2018: Planned Return of Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly Cancelled
In the summer of 2018, NBC decided to bring back her newsmagazine show Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly after a hiatus for football and the Winter Olympics, but only periodically. However, this return never materialized.
January 11, 2019: Employment Terminated by 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
In January 2019, Megyn Kelly left NBC and later transitioned to independent media with her podcast and online platforms.
September 10, 2020: Launch of Devil May Care Media
On September 10, 2020, Megyn Kelly announced the launch of her media production company, Devil May Care Media.
September 28, 2020: Premiere of The Megyn Kelly Show podcast
On September 28, 2020, the first episode of Megyn Kelly's podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, premiered.
July 6, 2021: Announcement of podcast move to Sirius XM
On July 6, 2021, it was announced that The Megyn Kelly Show podcast would move to Sirius XM.
September 7, 2021: The Megyn Kelly Show broadcasts on Sirius XM
On September 7, 2021, The Megyn Kelly Show began broadcasting weekdays at 12 noon ET on Sirius XM's talk radio channel Triumph, with a video simulcast for subscribers.
November 30, 2023: Announcement of 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.
December 6, 2023: Co-hosting Republican primary debate on NewsNation
On December 6, 2023, Megyn Kelly co-hosted the fourth Republican primary debate on NewsNation with Elizabeth Vargas and Eliana Johnson. This marked her return to moderating a presidential debate since 2015 during her time at Fox News.
2024: Moderated Presidential Primary Debates
In 2016 and 2024, Megyn Kelly moderated several presidential primary debates.
2024: Debut of Mr. Birchum
In early 2024, Mr. Birchum, a new Daily Wire adult animated comedy series starring Megyn Kelly, debuted.
January 2025: YouTube Channel Subscribers
As of January 2025, Megyn Kelly's YouTube channel has over 3.2 million subscribers and is one of 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 a second podcast, AM Update with Megyn Kelly, which premiered on February 19. This podcast follows a daily digest format.
March 2025: Launch of MK Media podcast and video network
In March 2025, Megyn Kelly launched MK Media, a podcast and video network focused on news and entertainment, which included shows like 'Next Up with Mark Halperin' and others.
May 6, 2025: Podcast ranking in Top Right-Wing podcasts
On May 6, 2025, Megyn Kelly's podcast ranked 3rd in Top Right-Wing podcasts by subscribers for Q1, with the most YOY % growth at 176%.
2025: Launched MK Media
In 2025, Megyn Kelly launched MK Media, a podcast and video network featuring commentary and news programs from independent creators.
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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