France's 10 Richest Journalists: 2025 Fortune Ranking
Wealthiest journalists in France
Which journalists dominate the media landscape... and banking rankings? Here's the top 10 richest French journalists at 2025. Discover their estimated fortunes, built through brilliant careers, shrewd investments and the occasional surprise. This ranking is full of surprises. between artistic legacies, golden TV contracts and bold diversificationsimmerse yourself in the gilded world of our millionaire journalists.
Top 10 Richest French Journalists in 2025
10. Anne-Sophie Lapix - 6.3 million Euros
Anne-Sophie Lapix, star of the France 2 television news, has often been wrongly described as a "billionaire" because of her fame. The truth is, his fortune is estimated at around 6.3 million euros. This comfortable wealth comes from her long career as a media presenter (around €3 million), documentary production and, above all, judicious real estate investments. With a estimated monthly salary around €50,000Lapix has managed to turn her television success into tangible wealth, while remaining one of the essential faces of French news.
9. Gilles Verdez - 6.6 million Euros
Former sports journalist turned popular TV commentator, Gilles Verdez has built his fortune by wearing many media hats. His regular appearances on high-profile shows (notably Touche Pas à Mon Poste) and his years in journalism have given him a wealth of experience. assets estimated at around 6.6 million euros. Always quick to give his opinion, Verdez has made a name for himself on television. His paid television appearances, combined with his activities as a journalist and author, enabled him to provide comfortable income and made him one of France's millionaire journalists.
8. Léa Salamé - 7 Million Euros
At the age of 43, Léa Salamé represents the new generation of millionaire journalists. Coming from the public service (France 2, France Inter), this star interviewer has capitalized on her growing reputation. In 2025, Léa Salamé's fortune is estimated at 7 million euros. The prize money reflects an already busy career: radio morning shows, TV political programs and content production. Daughter of a former Lebanese minister, Salamé has brilliantly blazed her own trail. Its wealth, built thanks to a flourishing media careerillustrates its enduring influence on the French audiovisual landscape - and suggests even greater potential for the years to come.
7. Pascal Praud - 7.4 million Euros
Pascal Praud is living proof that an eclectic career in the media can pay off handsomely. Originally a sports journalist, he also worked for TF1 (Téléfoot) then debate host on CNews and Europe 1, he has taken on many roles on TV and radio. Over the years, Pascal Praud has accumulated a fortune estimated at 7.4 million euros. His outspokenness and versatility have won him a large audience, and lucrative contracts. Between his soccer columns, his political broadcasts and even a stint managing a soccer club (FC Nantes), Praud has managed to attract a large audience. diversify your income. Its financial success testifies to its ability to establish itself as a an influential media figure in France.
6. Alain Duhamel - 16 Million Euros
With a career spanning over 50 years, Alain Duhamel is one of the doyens of French political journalism... and one of the wealthiest. Columnist for the written press (Le Monde, Release), a mainstay of television debates since the 1970s (On equal terms, The moment of truthetc.), a familiar voice on RTL - his media omnipresence has finally paid off. Visit 2025his net worth is estimated at 16 million euros. This impressive sum comes from his many activities: columns, TV shows, books of political analysis... Duhamel has monetized its expertise over several decades. Still active despite his 83 years of age, he is one of France's highest-paid journalists thanks to its exceptional longevity.
5. Benjamin Castaldi - 19 Million Euros
From a famous film family, Benjamin Castaldi made his name as a reality TV host, but began his career as a reporter. Flagship host of Loft Story and Secret Storya talk-show columnist, he has successfully surfed the wave of TV shows. His fortune now stands at over 19 million euros. Castaldi has made no secret of the fact that he loves luxury and earning a good living. all his TV fees go into his own company of which he is the sole owner.
Despite a few setbacks (costly divorces, real estate scams), he was able to bounce back thanks to his notoriety and his golden television contracts. With revenues approaching a million a year in recent years, Benjamin Castaldi takes full responsibility for his financial successwhich earns it a well-deserved place in this top 10.
4. Michel Drucker - 19.4 million Euros
A veritable monument of the French audiovisual landscape, Michel Drucker has turned his longevity into gold. From his beginnings as a sports commentator in the late 1960s to his famous red sofa at Vivement DimancheHe has stood the test of time without a wrinkle in terms of success. At 83, Michel Drucker's fortune is estimated at 19.4 million euros. A star entertainer for more than five decades, he accumulated a comfortable salary, book royalties, and cleverly invested in various projects.
Born into a media family (his brother was a TV station executive), Drucker has built up a solid reputation in the industry. a veritable financial empire over the years. His timeless charisma and business acumen make him one of the richest - and most respected - journalist-presenters of his generation.
3. Nikos Aliagas - 67 Million Euros
Franco-Greek presenter and journalist, Nikos Aliagas is without doubt one of the most profitable faces on the French TV screen. Propelled by reality TV (Star Academy), then confirmed by hit shows such as The VoiceHe has diversified his media activities over a career spanning almost 30 years. Nikos Aliagas amassed a fortune estimated at 67 million euros. This colossal amount places it among France's highest-paid presenters. How do you reach such a high level?
Thanks to annual salaries approaching €11 million for his flagship shows, coupled with lucrative advertising contracts, film appearances, books and even real estate investments. Charismatic and versatile, Nikos has managed to cash in on his popularity from TF1 to social networksmaking his name a veritable brand. Result: dazzling financial success which earned him the bronze medal in this ranking.
2. Anne Sinclair - 200 Million Euros
Former star of 7 sur 7 in the 1980s and 90s, Anne Sinclair remains one of France's richest journalists thanks to an exceptional heritage. Granddaughter of the famous art dealer Paul Rosenberg, she inherited part of a priceless art collection, which made her a multi-millionaire independently of her media career.
His personal fortune is estimated at around 200 million eurosa figure that places her very high among the personalities of French journalism. Beyond her artistic heritage, Anne Sinclair has had a brilliant career as a political journalist (interviews with heads of state, ex-wife of D. Strauss-Kahn), but it is her family assets that explain the extent of her wealth. Discreet about her assets, she nonetheless occupies the second place on the podium of wealthy journalistswith capital that many CEOs would envy. (Estimate based on reliable media sources, as Anne Sinclair has not publicly revealed the exact amount).
1. Michèle Cotta - 215 Million Euros
Did you know? The richest French journalist is an octogenarian with an exemplary career. Michèle Cotta87, occupies first place of this ranking with an estimated fortune of 215 million euros! A former news director and seasoned political columnist, she has gone beyond her media income to invest wisely.
Its assets include stock market investments, real estate, even restaurants and a perfume line - amazing diversifications for a journalist. Visit 2025the woman who has interviewed some of the world's greatest names is still in top form, and above all record annual revenues valued at 75 million euros over the past year - a first in the industry. Michèle Cotta is thus France's highest-paid and wealthiest journalist of all time, a symbol of unprecedented professional and financial success in the press industry.
Conclusion
This ranking of richest French journalists in 2025 is a perfect illustration of how excellence in the media world can be transformed into exceptional financial success. From legends like Michel Drucker and Alain Duhamel to innovators like Nikos Aliagas, each personality has managed to diversify his or her income by combining a television career with wise investments and side projects.
The career of Michèle Cotta, at the top of the ranking, demonstrates that high-level journalism, enriched by artistic legacies and lucrative contracts, can lead to the construction of a veritable financial empire. These inspiring examples are a reminder that, behind the TV sets and microphones, lie business strategies of rare effectiveness.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Who is the richest French journalist in 2025 ?
Michèle Cotta is currently the richest French journalist, with an estimated fortune of around 215 million euros. This staggering figure puts her well ahead of the rest. Her wealth even exceeds that of some of France's film and music stars, which is exceptional for someone with a journalistic background.
How do journalists manage to accumulate such fortunes?
The journalists in the top 10 multiply revenue sources beyond their basic salary. Many combine the roles of TV presenter, radio columnist, book author and even producer. For example, many supplement their media income with paid lectures and publications. Some also invest in real estate or launch media-related businesses.
In the case of Michèle Cotta, her investments in restaurants, fashion and sport have greatly increased her wealth. Finally, some of these fortunes may come fromfamily heirlooms (such as Anne Sinclair with her grandfather's art collection). In short, these millionaire journalists all have diversified their activities to make their earnings go far beyond their mere salary as journalists.
How common is it for a journalist to become a millionaire?
No, this remains relatively rare. The average journalist doesn't make millions, and most reporters and editors will never become millionaires through their work alone. The fortunes mentioned in this article are mainly those of ultra-mediatized television and radio personalitiesoften after decades in the business. Alain Duhamel, for example, took over 50 years to build up his €16 million estate.
Similarly, Michel Drucker has amassed a fortune over half a century on the air. The majority of journalists, especially in print and local media, have much more modest incomes. Becoming a millionaire in this field is therefore the exception rather than the rulereserved for stars of journalism, presenters who own their own productions, or those with substantial ancillary revenues.
How much does the highest-paid journalist in France earn?
Visit 2025the highest-paid journalist again comes down to Michèle Cottawith estimated annual revenues of 75 million euros - an extraordinary figure linked to exceptional earnings outside the traditional media. Apart from this atypical case, among today's presenter-journalists, Nikos Aliagas also tops the list, with an annual salary of around 11 million euros thanks to his contracts on TF1 (The Voiceetc.).
By way of comparison, star news anchors (such as Anne-Sophie Lapix) tend to hover around a few hundreds of thousands of euros a yearmillion for the most famous. So it's clear that only the biggest names on the small screen, or those with substantial side incomes, reach eight-figure salaries. For most journalists, salaries are far below those of the stars in the top 10.
