Don Lemon first wife was Stephanie Ortiz. Don Lemon is a famous American television journalist who is best known as the host of CNN who contributed from 2014 until 2023.
As one of the talented journalists, he has worked on several news channels and programs such as Today and NBC Nightly News. Not only he is a journalist who delivers the news, but with his talent and skill, he also received three regional Emmy Awards.
However, although contributed for almost a decade to CNN, he was fired from CNN because of several on-air controversies and reports of alleged instances of sexism and misogyny.
Continue reading the article to learn details on Don Lemon first wife, career, relationships, net worth, and more.
Don Lemon Biography: Age and Early Life
Famous American Journalist, Don Lemon was born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. As of 2023, Don Lemon is currently living in his late 50s i.e., 57 years.
Talking about his early life, Lemon pursued his education at Louisiana State University. From an early age, he was into journalist who continued in a major in broadcast journalism at Brooklyn College.
Before his professional career, he worked for Fox affiliates in St. Louis and Chicago. Also, Lemon was a correspondent for NBC affiliates in Philadelphia and Chicago.
Don Lemon Wikipedia
| Full Name | Don Lemon |
| Nick Name | |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1966 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 57 Years Old |
| Birth Place | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (African-American) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Major in Broadcast Journalism |
| Net Worth | $12 Million |
Don Lemon Family: Ethnicity and Nationality
Don Lemon was born to Wilmon Lee Richardson (father) and Katherine Marie (Bouligney) (mother). His father was a prominent attorney who fought for the segregation of public transportation in Baton Rouge.
Don Lemon got his surname from his mother’s previous husband. He belongs to the mixed ancestors of mostly African Americans. His maternal grandmother, Creole was the daughter of a black mother and white father.
Therefore, Don Lemon is of a mixed ethnic group and believes in the Christian religion.
Don Lemon’s Father, Mother, Sister, and Brother
| Father | Mr. Wilmon Lee Richardson |
| Mother | Mrs. Katherine Marie (Bouligney) |
| Brother | None |
| Sister | None |
Don Lemon’s Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
| Height | In Feet Inches: 6’ 0’’ In Meters: 1.83 m. In Centimeters: 183 cm. |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Don Lemon First Wife: Stephanie Ortiz
Don Lemon first wife, Stephanie Ortiz is a famous American model and actress who was born in 1982, in California. As of 2023, Ortiz is 40 years old and is recognized for her appearance as a TV host on the, “Know, Do, or Die” on JuiceTV.
Besides that, she is also known for her appearances in the movies, A Kiss of Chaos (2009), The Love Potion (2010), and The Grasslands (2011).
Talking about the marriage between Don Lemon and Stephanie Ortiz, there is no substantiated proof that supports their legal marriage. Although some sources say that they were married in 2003 the information is unverifiable.
Well, currently, Don Lemon is not together with Stephanie Ortiz, rather she is engaged to Tim Malone.
Who is Don Lemon’s fiancee?
Journalist, Don Lemon is currently engaged to Tim Malone, a real estate agent. The couple first met each other in 2017 when Malone appeared on Lemon’s show.
After several years of relationship, they were engaged on April 6, 2019.
Don Lemon Career and Profession
Don Lemon before becoming a world-recognized journalist, worked as a weekend news anchor for WBRC in Birmingham, Alabama, and for WCAU in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He also worked at NBC owned-and-operated station WMAQ-TV in Chicago as a local news co-anchor and won three Emmys for local reporting.
In September 2006, Don joined CNN. As he belonged to the African-American community, he had a few controversies and criticism during his initial days.
However, with his strong voice and opinions, he had a good hold. Later in 2014. Don hosted prime time, including The Eleventh Hour and The Don Lemon Show. Well, unfortunately, his tenure which almost had ten years ended on April 2023.
Don Lemon Allegations of Sexism and Misogyny
This former CNN journalist had been to multiple controversies throughout his career. In December 2022, he had an onscreen argument with co-anchors Collins and Harlow regarding the pay inequity in women’s sports. Don mentioned that people are more interested in men’s rather than women’s sports.
Likewise, on February 19, 2023, Lemon replied to Nikki Haley’s “mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old” with, “old people makes him uncomfortable and politicians are noting their prime”.
Also, he mentioned that Nikki Haley is not in her prime time and a woman in their 20s and 30s are considered to be in their prime time. These remarks of Don were criticized as sexist.
Furthermore, in April 2023, Variety published a report against Lemon that he had misogynistic behavior with his colleagues, Soledad O’Brien, Kyra Philips, and Nancy Grace.
Don Lemon Honors and Awards
Throughout his professional journalism career, Don Lemon has done proud works for which he has been honored and awarded multiple times. In 2002, he was awarded an Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the capture of the D.C. area sniper.
Similarly, in 2006, he received three Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards. Lemon was also listed as one of the 150 most influential African Americans by Ebony magazine in 2009.
In December 2016, Don received a Native Son Award, an award named after James Baldwin’s Notes of a Native Son (1955). The following year in 2017, he was also listed in the list of the most influential LGBTQ people in the USA.
Don Lemon Net Worth
One of the most popular American journalists and television news anchors who has worked on CNN for almost a decade has surely earned an impressive amount of money.
As of 2023, the total estimated net worth of Don Lemon is around $12 million.
During his active career on CNN, he used to earn a salary of around $4 million each year.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Don Lemon?
American journalist and television news anchor.
How old is Don Lemon?
57 years old (as of 2023).
Who is Don Lemon first wife?
Stephanie Ortiz.
How much is Don Lemon net worth?
$12 million (as of 2023).
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