Who Is Mike Wallace? Age, Biography and Wiki
Mike Wallace was born on May 9, 1918, in Brookline, Massachusetts, and passed away on April 7, 2012, at the age of 93. Widely celebrated for his incisive interviewing style and fearless investigative journalism, Wallace became a prominent figure in American media. He was best known as a correspondent for CBS’s “60 Minutes,” where he conducted high-profile interviews with influential figures throughout his career.
| Occupation | Game Show Host |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 9, 1918 |
| Age | 93 Years |
| Birth Place | Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 7 April, 2012 |
| Died Place | New Canaan, Connecticut, U.S. |
Popularity
Mike Wallace's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Mike Wallace stood at approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. During his prime, he maintained a fit physique, though the exact weight and measurements varied throughout his life. As an individual committed to his career, Wallace exuded confidence and professionalism, qualities that mirrored his approach to journalism.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Mike Wallace's family included a passionate lineage of Jewish heritage. He was married three times, first to actress Patricia W. L. (later divorced), then to former Miss America, 1947, and subsequently to his long-term partner, Mary Yates. Wallace had one son, Peter, and two daughters, Chris and Anne. His relationships were often discussed in the media, showcasing his tumultuous personal life alongside his illustrious career.
Myron Leon Wallace (May 9, 1918 – April 7, 2012) was an American journalist, game show host, actor, and media personality. Known for his investigative journalism, he interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers during his seven-decade career.
He was one of the original correspondents featured on CBS news program 60 Minutes, which debuted in 1968. Wallace retired as a regular full-time correspondent in 2006, but still appeared occasionally on the series until 2008. He is the father of Chris Wallace.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2012, Mike Wallace's net worth was estimated to be around $25 million. His earnings came from his prolific journalism career, which spanned over six decades, and his participation in various media projects. Wallace was also recognized for his ability to leverage his celebrity status in speaking engagements and other ventures that contributed to his wealth.
By the early 1960s, Wallace's primary income came from commercials for Parliament cigarettes, touting their "man's mildness" (he had a contract with Philip Morris to pitch their cigarettes as a result of the company's original sponsorship of The Mike Wallace Interview).
Career, Business and Investments
Wallace’s career began in radio before he transitioned to television, where he gained notoriety for his fearless interviews and reporting. Joining CBS in the 1960s, he became a fixture on “60 Minutes,” the groundbreaking newsmagazine show that set the standard for investigative journalism. Throughout his career, Wallace accomplished much; he received numerous Emmy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
In his later years, Wallace’s investment and business interests expanded into producing documentaries and participating in various media-related enterprises, reinforcing his status in the industry.
Wallace appeared as a guest on the popular radio quiz show Information Please on February 7, 1939, when he was in his last year at the University of Michigan. He spent his first summer after graduation working on-air at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
His first radio job was as a newscaster and continuity writer for WOOD radio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This lasted until 1940, when he moved to WXYZ radio in Detroit, Michigan, as an announcer. He then became a freelance radio worker in Chicago.
Social Network
Though Mike Wallace passed away in 2012, his influence in journalism remains significant. His impact can still be felt on social media platforms, where discussions about his work and contributions to journalism continue. Fans and followers still share memories and tributes to this iconic figure on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram under hashtags like #MikeWallace and #JournalismLegend.
Wallace's reputation has been retrospectively affected by his admission that he had harassed female colleagues at 60 Minutes over many years. "Back in the 1970s and ’80s, 60 Minutes correspondent Mike Wallace was known for putting his hand on the backs of his female CBS News co-workers and unsnapping the clasps on their bras. 'It wasn't a secret.
I have done that', Wallace told Rolling Stone magazine in 1991." In 2018, claims of sexual misconduct at 60 Minutes led to the resignation of executive producer Jeff Fager, who had assumed the role of Executive Producer following the retirement of the show's creator, Don Hewitt.
He resigned several months after a July 27 story by Ronan Farrow in The New Yorker. Not only did Farrow's story accuse Fager of ignoring and enabling misconduct by several high-ranking male producers at 60 Minutes, but Farrow also cited former employees who accused Fager himself of misconduct.
Education
Wallace's education played a crucial role in shaping his career. He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His academic background, along with his prior experiences in radio and television, laid the foundation for his exceptional career in journalism.
Attention was again drawn to that incident several years later when protests were raised after Wallace was selected to deliver a university commencement address during a ceremony within which Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary doctorate in absentia for his fight against racism.
Wallace initially called the protesters' complaint "absolute foolishness". However, he subsequently apologized for his earlier remark and added that when he had been a student decades earlier on the same university campus, "though it had never really caused me any serious difficulty here ...
I was keenly aware of being Jewish, and quick to detect slights, real or imagined.... We Jews felt a kind of kinship [with blacks]", but "Lord knows, we weren't riding the same slave ship."
