Scott Pelley Biography
Scott Pelley is an American broadcast journalist, author, and former television news anchor. He’s best known for his many years at CBS News and his work as a correspondent on the acclaimed newsmagazine 60 Minutes. From 2011 to 2017, he also served as anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News. Earlier in his career, he was CBS News’ chief White House correspondent.
Before joining CBS News in 1989, Pelley worked at several Texas television stations, including KSEL-TV in Lubbock, KXAS-TV in Dallas–Fort Worth, and WFAA-TV in Dallas.
At CBS, he covered major national and international events, including the Gulf War, the Oklahoma City bombing, the September 11 attacks, and the administrations of several U.S. presidents.
In 1997, Pelley became CBS News’ chief White House correspondent, covering President Bill Clinton’s administration. He joined 60 Minutes II in 1999 and became a correspondent on the original 60 Minutes in 2004.
Pelley anchored CBS Evening News from 2011 to 2017, taking over from Katie Couric. During his tenure, the program’s audience grew.
Pelley is also an author. In his 2019 book, Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter’s Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times, he shares stories of people who showed courage and integrity during pivotal moments in history.
How Old Is Scott Pelley?
Scott Pelley is 69 years old as of November 2026. Born in San Antonio, Texas, on July 28, 1957, he celebrates his birthday each year on that date.
Scott Pelley Education
Pelley attended Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas, where his interest in journalism took shape. He landed his first newsroom job at just 15.
After graduating, he studied journalism at Texas Tech University in Lubbock but left before completing his degree.
Scott Pelley Nationality
Scott Pelley is American. He was born in San Antonio and grew up in Lubbock, Texas.
Scott Pelley Parents
Pelley was born to American parents and raised in Lubbock. Public information about his family is limited.
Published biographical accounts say his father worked in business, including automobile sales and nightclub ownership. His mother was involved in local social and real estate circles.
Pelley has kept details about his parents and childhood mostly private. Public attention has focused instead on his journalism career and his life with his wife and children.
Scott Pelley Wife
Scott Pelley is married to Jane Boone Pelley, a former television reporter and advertising executive. They wed on August 20, 1983, and have kept their family life relatively private despite his high-profile career.
Jane has largely stayed out of the public eye, though she also has a background in media.
The couple have been married for more than four decades and have two children together.
Scott Pelley Children
Scott Pelley and his wife, Jane Boone Pelley, have two children: a son, Reece, and a daughter, Blair.
The family has generally kept Reece and Blair out of the public eye. While their father spent much of his career in front of the cameras, they have largely lived private lives.
Is Scott Pelley Still on 60 Minutes?
No. Scott Pelley is no longer a correspondent for CBS’s 60 Minutes.
He left the program in June 2026 after CBS News ended his employment following a disagreement with its new management.
Pelley had been part of the 60 Minutes franchise since 1999, first working on 60 Minutes II before joining the original Sunday-night program in 2004.
His departure brought to a close more than two decades as one of the newsmagazine’s best-known correspondents.
As of November 2026, he is exploring opportunities beyond CBS News, while continuing his academic appointment at Columbia Journalism School.
Scott Pelley and 60 Minutes
Scott Pelley became one of the best-known correspondents on CBS’s 60 Minutes, the long-running American investigative newsmagazine.
He joined 60 Minutes II in 1999 and moved to the flagship Sunday edition in 2004. Over the years, he reported on politics, international conflicts, business, national security, and social issues.
Pelley was known for his direct questions, in-depth reporting, and interviews with prominent political and business leaders.
He covered several U.S. presidents, international conflicts, and major stories about government accountability. His work earned many journalism honors, including Emmy, Peabody, and duPont-Columbia awards.
In June 2026, however, his time at CBS News came to an abrupt end after a dispute with the network’s new leadership.
Scott Pelley New Job
After leaving CBS News, Scott Pelley took on a new role at Columbia Journalism School.
In August 2026, the school announced that Pelley and former 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi would serve as Journalists in Residence during the 2026–2027 academic year.
The appointments give the veteran journalists a chance to share their experience with aspiring reporters and journalism students.
In his role, Pelley is expected to take part in lectures, workshops, and special events, while helping students strengthen their investigative reporting, sourcing, and storytelling skills.
The position marks a new chapter for Pelley after decades covering major international stories and interviewing prominent political figures.
He has not announced a permanent television anchoring role since leaving CBS.
Scott Pelley September 11 (9/11)
Scott Pelley’s reporting on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks became one of the defining chapters of his journalism career.
That morning, Pelley was reporting from the World Trade Center in New York City as hijacked commercial planes struck the Twin Towers.
He was there when the North Tower collapsed, caught in the middle of one of the most consequential breaking-news events in modern American history.
His reports conveyed the chaos, devastation, and human toll unfolding in lower Manhattan.
Pelley went on to cover the attacks and their lasting impact, including the U.S. response to terrorism and the wars that followed.
Why Was Scott Pelley Fired From 60 Minutes?
Scott Pelley was fired from 60 Minutes on June 2, 2026, after a heated clash with the show’s newly appointed executive producer, Nick Bilton.
The dispute reportedly broke out during a staff meeting. Pelley challenged Bilton’s qualifications and criticized the direction CBS News was taking under its new leadership.
He also voiced frustration over the recent departures of several senior journalists and producers, including Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, and Tanya Simon.
According to reports, Pelley accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of eroding 60 Minutes’ identity and journalistic traditions. He reportedly went so far as to say that Weiss was “murdering” the program.
Bilton later sent Pelley a termination letter, alleging that he had been hostile and unwilling to work with the new management.
Pelley disputed that account of his dismissal. In his response, he alleged that CBS management had pressured him to include unverified claims and political bias in a sensitive news report. He also raised concerns about political interference in the show’s editorial decisions.
CBS focused its explanation on the confrontation and Pelley’s alleged reluctance to work with the new leadership. Pelley, meanwhile, said his objections were rooted in journalistic standards and editorial independence.
His dismissal brought a 37-year career at CBS News to an end.
Why Is Scott Pelley Trending?
Scott Pelley has been in the news since his departure from CBS News in June 2026, amid controversy over his firing from 60 Minutes.
The veteran journalist reportedly clashed with the program’s newly appointed executive producer, Nick Bilton, during a staff meeting.
The confrontation came during a period of major changes at CBS News under editor-in-chief Bari Weiss. Several high-profile journalists and senior producers had recently been dismissed or left 60 Minutes, including correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, along with longtime executive producer Tanya Simon.
Pelley reportedly questioned Bilton’s qualifications and criticized the program’s direction. At the meeting, he accused Weiss of “murdering” 60 Minutes, voicing concern about the show’s future.
The dispute drew widespread media attention, in part because Pelley had been one of the program’s best-known correspondents for more than two decades.
His termination has since become another flashpoint in the broader controversy surrounding the CBS News newsroom.
CAA Signs Scott Pelley
In June 2026, shortly after leaving CBS News, Scott Pelley signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
The deal opened a new chapter for the veteran journalist after 37 years at the network.
CAA is a major talent agency representing well-known figures in journalism, entertainment, sports, and other fields.
The agency was expected to represent Pelley as he considered new professional opportunities and his next career steps.
The move drew attention because Pelley had spent most of his career at CBS News. Signing with CAA suggested he was exploring opportunities beyond traditional network television.
Scott Pelley Net Worth
Pelley’s net worth is estimated at around $18 million, though the figure has not been verified through public financial records.
