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Maury Povich jokingly embraced the ‘gold digger‘ label when revealing his wife Connie Chung earned 10 times his income back in 1984. The iconic couple’s stunning wealth gap early in their marriage shows how two TV personalities built a life together despite stark career differences at the time.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Revelation: Maury revealed Connie earned 10 times his income when they married in 1984
- Marriage Timeline: The couple has been together for 42 years since their 1984 wedding
- Peak Earnings: Connie’s salary reached $2 to $4 million annually at height of her career
- Combined Wealth: The power couple shares an $80 million combined net worth today
The Surprising Income Gap That Started It All
Maury Povich made a candid admission in April 2026 when speaking with comedian Adam Friedland for Interview magazine. When Friedland playfully accused him of being a “gold digger,” the talk show legend didn’t shy away. Instead, he responded with pride, saying, “Absolutely.” He then explained the staggering income disparity that defined their early years together as a married couple.
“My wife was making 10 times what I was making when we got married,” Povich declared with confidence. At the time they wed in 1984, he was still establishing himself in broadcast journalism, while Chung had already become a national television star, earning considerably more recognition and compensation in the media world.
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Maury Povich reveals wife Connie Chung made 10 times more than him before marriage
Connie Chung’s Dominance in Broadcast News
Connie Chung became a groundbreaking figure in American television news during the 1970s and 1980s. She was the first female co-anchor of CBS Evening News and the first Asian American to anchor a major network newscast. By 1984, her salary had reportedly reached around $600,000 annually, and her peak earnings would eventually climb to $2 to $4 million per year at the height of her anchoring career.
The broadcast journalism legend worked for major networks including CBS, NBC, and CNN. When the network anchors were stepping away, Chung frequently filled in for Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News, showcasing her prominence and value in the industry. Her career trajectory was meteoric, building an impressive empire while still in her thirties.
The Numbers Behind Their Power Couple Status
| Detail | Information |
| Years Married | 42 years (1984-2026) |
| Marriage Year | 1984 |
| Combined Net Worth | $80 million |
| Connie’s Peak Salary | $2-4 million annually |
Today, Maury Povich and Connie Chung share an $80 million combined net worth, a testament to their individual successes over four decades. Povich’s career trajectory ultimately soared when he launched his talk show Maury, which became wildly successful and made him a household name. However, in 1984, when they said their vows, Chung was already the established media powerhouse while Povich was still building his broadcasting credentials.
“My wife was making 10 times what I was making when we got married. How’s that?”
— Maury Povich, Talk Show Host
A Love Story Born in Television
Povich and Chung first met at WTTG in Washington, D.C. in the late 1960s. Chung was a young copygirl just starting her career, while Povich was already an established figure in broadcast journalism. She recalled that Povich was “very gruff and very matter-of-fact” and would never acknowledge her presence. After working together for two years, she left to build her broadcasting career independently, eventually surpassing Povich’s early success.
Years later, the two reconnected after both had moved to Los Angeles. By that time, Chung was a star at the CBS affiliate, while Povich had been fired from a position. “Because Connie was the only person I actually knew in Los Angeles, I always said the way to get to Connie’s heart is first, she pities you, and then she can love you,” Povich recalled to PEOPLE in 2020. They even briefly coanchored a segment together on KNXT in the late 1970s before pursuing separate paths.
How Has Marriage Success Changed Their Narrative Over 42 Years?
Povich has credited Connie for enabling him to live what he describes as “the best life ever,” splitting time between Florida, New York, and Montana as a “snowbird.” The couple welcomed their adopted son Matthew in 1995. Povich also has two daughters, Susan and Amy, from his first marriage to Phyllis Minkoff.
When asked about the secret to their enduring marriage, Povich has been refreshingly candid. He told Today host Al Roker in April 2025 that arguments are quickly resolved by morning. More recently, he revealed on his podcast that Sundays were always reserved for quality time with Connie, joking that golf invitations were always declined. Their partnership shows that initial income disparity doesn’t define long-term happiness or compatibility between two powerful media personalities.
Sources
- PEOPLE Magazine – Maury Povich candid interview about his wife’s earnings in 1984
- Entertainment Weekly – Comprehensive coverage of Povich’s gold digger comment and career timeline
- Celebrity Net Worth – Financial details on Connie Chung’s peak salary and combined assets
