Whit Johnson Net Worth: ABC News Anchor’s Career Journey

Stephen Whitney “Whit” Johnson was born on June 25, 1982, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in the vibrant Bay Area, raised by his mother, Sharon Edel,l and stepfather Dr. Dean Edell, a renowned medical reporter and talk radio host who introduced young Whit to the world of broadcasting.

DNA Discovery (2025): In a remarkable revelation, Whit announced live on Good Morning America in 2025 that a DNA test uncovered his biological father, Steve Johnson, had been adopted in Salt Lake City in 1950. This discovery connected Whit to biological relatives he never knew existed, highlighting his openness and authenticity with viewers.

Whit has one younger sister named Dana, whom he occasionally features on social media. In one Instagram post, he joked: “Lunch with auntie Dana brings out an extra dose of crazy!!”

Fun Fact: Whit’s stepfather, Dean Edell, was a nationally syndicated medical talk show host whose program “The Dr. Dean Edell Show” aired for over two decades. Growing up around a broadcasting legend gave Whit unique insights into media careers from childhood.

Quick Bio: Whit Johnson Overview

San Francisco State University: Building the Foundation

After graduating from high school, Whit enrolled at San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Radio Broadcasting in 2004. He was a Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) major who maximized every opportunity to learn from professors and industry professionals.

Learning from the Best: Whit fondly recalls talking to professors like Marty Gonzalez (now KRON-TV’s weekend morning anchor), peppering them with questions about getting into journalism, salaries, and career paths. “I asked all the awkward, uncomfortable questions,” he recalled years later.

College Soccer Player: Whit played soccer in college, demonstrating his athletic abilities. However, after two knee surgeries, he had to “hang up the boots.” This setback redirected his energy entirely toward broadcasting.

Speaker Inspiration: Some of Whit’s most memorable SF State experiences were listening to established broadcasters speak about their careers. “They were often people he grew up watching on TV,” the university noted. Now, current students get to say the same about Whit.

Read More: Bill Hemmer Salary: Fox News Anchor’s Career and Earnings

The $18,000 Decision: First Job in Yakima

As graduation approached in 2004, Whit put together VHS resume tapes using the campus editing bay. “Out of dozens of tapes, I got exactly three job offers. None of them were in sports,” he recounted when returning to speak at SF State.

He accepted a broadcasting position at NBC affiliate KNDO/KNDU-TV in Yakima/Tri-Cities, Washington, for a salary of just $18,000 per year—barely above the poverty level. Though it felt less than ideal, this move set the trajectory of both his professional and personal life.

Meeting Andrea: At that Yakima station, Whit met Andrea Fujii, a fellow young journalist starting her career. They began dating despite friends advising against continuing the relationship after graduation, as both wanted to chase TV careers in different markets.

“Every career move along the way has been both strategic and surprising,” Whit later told SF State students.

Career Journey: Following Love Across America

From 2005 to 2018, Whit’s career path was shaped equally by professional opportunities and his relationship with Andrea:

KSL-TV Salt Lake City (2006-2009): When Andrea got a job in Salt Lake City, Whit followed. He landed a position at NBC affiliate KSL-TV as a reporter and weekday evening anchor, building his on-air skills in a larger market.

CBS News, Washington D.C. (2009-2012): Whit’s big break came when he joined CBS News as a Washington-based network correspondent and fill-in anchor. While there, much of his coverage focused on the White House, Capitol Hill, and foreign policy issues.

He reported on the death of Osama bin Laden and interviewed then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton minutes after news broke that Muammar Gaddafi had been killed. He covered Clinton on several stops across the Middle East in 2011.

Meanwhile, Andrea got a job in Baltimore, creating a challenging commute for the couple.

KNBC Los Angeles (2012-2018): To prioritize his family, Whit returned to local news, joining KNBC in Los Angeles as an anchor and general-assignment reporter. Andrea became a freelancer, allowing more family flexibility.

KNBC Success: Olympics and Emmy Awards

Whit’s six years at KNBC (2012-2018) proved transformative. In June 2014, he became co-anchor of “Today in L.A.” alongside Daniella Guzman.

Olympic Coverage: Whit traveled to Sochi, Russia, to cover the 2014 Winter Olympics and to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics. In Rio, he co-hosted a special report on the Opening Ceremony that won a Los Angeles Emmy Award.

Emmy Award for Investigative Journalism (2013): Whit earned another Los Angeles Emmy for a multipart investigation into reported scams at auto repair shops—demonstrating his skills extended beyond anchoring to serious investigative reporting.

Golden Mike Award (2017): “Today in L.A.” won the Golden Mike award for Best Daytime News Broadcast in 2017, recognizing the show’s overall excellence.

Major Story Coverage at KNBC:

• 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack
• 2013 LAX shooting
• Christopher Dorner standoff with LAPD (anchored live for nine straight hours)
• Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign from Boston
• Asiana Flight 214 crash landing at San Francisco International Airport
• Washington D.C. Navy Yard mass shootings

Joining ABC News: The Dream Realized (2018-Present)

In March 2018, ABC News announced Whit had joined as a correspondent based in New York. By September 2018, he was named co-anchor of Good Morning America Weekend—a rapid ascension that reflected ABC’s confidence in his abilities.

Current Roles:

• Co-anchor of GMA Weekend (Saturday and Sunday with Janai Norman and Gio Benitez)
• Anchor of ABC World News Tonight Saturday
• ABC News Correspondent (reports appear across GMA, World News Tonight, 20/20, Nightline, and ABC News Live)
• Fill-in anchor for weekday GMA and World News Tonight with David Muir

February 1, 2021: ABC officially announced Whit would anchor the Saturday edition of ABC World News Tonight, replacing departing Tom Llamas, while retaining his weekend GMA role.

Major Story Coverage at ABC News

Since joining ABC in 2018, Whit Johnson has covered virtually every major news event:

COVID-19 Pandemic: Whit served as one of ABC News’s lead correspondents throughout the pandemic, providing vital information during unprecedented times.

2020-2024 Elections: He covered Democratic primaries, interviewing candidates including Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. He reported from Arizona during election week 2020 and from Trump headquarters in Florida on election night 2024.

Mass Shootings:

• Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (October 2018) – field anchored Weekend GMA coverage
• Virginia Beach shooting (2019) – 12 people killed
• 2025 New Orleans terror attack on New Year’s Day

Donald Trump Assassination Attempt (July 2024): Whit anchored for more than seven hours straight during breaking coverage of the shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania—demonstrating his stamina and professionalism during major news events.

2023 Maui Wildfires: Provided comprehensive coverage of the devastating fires that killed over 100 people.

Other Major Coverage:

• Golden State Killer arrest
• Hawaii volcano eruption
• Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade (June 2022)
• Iranian missile attack on Israel (April 2024)
• Titan submersible implosion exploring Titanic ruins (June 2023)

Whit Johnson Salary: Earning His Place at ABC

Whit Johnson’s annual salary is estimated between $130,000 and $200,000 at ABC News, according to industry sources including Glassdoor, Salary.com, and media reports. His exact salary hasn’t been publicly disclosed, but his role as co-anchor of GMA Weekend and anchor of World News Tonight Saturday places him in ABC’s upper-middle earning tier.

Salary Context:

• Entry-level ABC News anchors: ~$52,953 annually
• Mid-level correspondents: $75,000-$150,000
• Whit Johnson (GMA Weekend anchor): $130,000-$200,000 (estimated)
• Top GMA stars (Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan): $17-$20 million annually

From $18,000 to $130,000+: Whit’s salary journey demonstrates remarkable career progression—from barely scraping by in Yakima to earning a six-figure income at one of America’s premier news organizations.

Additional Income: Beyond his base salary, Whit likely earns additional income from:

• Speaking engagements (he returned to SF State as a paid speaker)
• Freelance reporting projects
• Social media partnerships
• Public appearances

His willingness to start at $18,000 demonstrates the sacrifices required to break into broadcast journalism—a lesson he emphasizes when speaking to aspiring journalists.

Whit Johnson Net Worth: Building Financial Success

As of 2025, Whit Johnson’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million, according to multiple sources, including BiographyPedia and industry estimates. This wealth has been accumulated through 20 years in broadcast journalism across multiple markets.

How He Built His Wealth:

• Yakima (2005-2006): $18,000/year starting salary
• Salt Lake City (2006-2009): Increased salary at larger market
• CBS News (2009-2012): National correspondent’s salary
• KNBC Los Angeles (2012-2018): Six-figure salary in America’s second-largest media market
• ABC News (2018-present): $130,000-$200,000 annual salary (estimated)
• Real estate investments: New York area home ownership
• Awards and recognition: Emmy-winning journalist commands premium rates

Financial Responsibility: Despite earning a comfortable living now, Whit’s humble beginnings ($18,000 first salary) taught him financial discipline. He and Andrea have managed a two-career household’s finances while raising two daughters in expensive markets (Los Angeles, New York).

Marriage to Andrea Fujii: 18 Years and Counting

Whit Johnson married Andrea Fujii on August 11, 2007, after meeting at their first television station in Yakima, Washington. As of 2025, they’ve been married for 18 years—a remarkable achievement for a couple in demanding broadcast journalism careers.

About Andrea Fujii: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Andrea studied law before pursuing broadcast journalism. She’s worked as a reporter at multiple stations and currently serves as a freelance correspondent for ABC News.

The couple has navigated multiple cities together—Yakima, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C./Baltimore, Los Angeles, and finally New York—each move requiring career sacrifices and compromises.

17th Anniversary Post (August 2024): Whit celebrated on Instagram: “17 years married! Endless adventures, 2 wonderful kids, a lot of addresses… and so many dogs! Truly grateful for this life we’ve built together. Happy anniversary!”

On Their 10th Anniversary (2017): Whit called Andrea his “best friend, trusted advisor, the most incredible mother of two, and the love of his life,” expressing excitement about their second decade together.

Their marriage has thrived despite the pressures of dual journalism careers, young children, cross-country moves, and demanding work schedules.

Father of Two: Leah and Summer

Whit and Andrea have two daughters whom they’ve largely kept out of the public spotlight while occasionally sharing family moments on social media:

Leah Fujii Johnson (born May 15, 2012) – As of 2025, Leah is 13 years old. She was born in New York City and currently attends school. She occasionally appears in family posts shared by her parents.

Summer Fujii Johnson (born July 26, 2014) – As of 2025, Summer is 10 years old. Like her sister, she maintains a low profile despite her father’s public career.

Balancing Fatherhood and Career: Whit’s weekend anchor schedule allows him more weekday time with his daughters than traditional anchors enjoy. His Instagram often features family moments, rescue dogs, and “dad jokes”—his self-described specialty.

The family currently lives in the New York area, where both Whit and Andrea work for ABC News.

Whit Johnson Height: Standing Tall at 6’1″

Whit Johnson stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall (185 cm), giving him a commanding presence on camera. His height, combined with his athletic build (from his college soccer days), creates the authoritative yet approachable appearance ideal for morning news anchoring.

His physical fitness remains important despite his knee surgeries ending his soccer career. Whit’s current hobbies include:

• Running
• Working out
• Snowboarding
• Reading
• Family time

He’s described himself as “still very active” despite hanging up his soccer boots, demonstrating commitment to health and fitness as he approaches his mid-40s.

Is Whit Johnson Gay? Addressing Speculation

Whit Johnson is not gay. He has been married to Andrea Fujii since 2007—18 years as of 2025—and they have two daughters together. There is no credible evidence or indication that he identifies as anything other than heterosexual.

Speculation about his sexual orientation appears to stem from internet searches and unfounded rumors rather than any factual basis. Whit has never addressed these rumors publicly, likely because they lack any foundation in reality.

His 18-year marriage to Andrea, their two children, and his consistent public references to his wife as his “best friend” and “love of his life” speak clearly to his heterosexual relationship.

Such speculation about public figures’ sexuality is common but should be dismissed without credible evidence. Whit’s personal life has been remarkably stable and conventional by any measure.

Rescue Dogs and Animal Advocacy

Beyond journalism and family, Whit is passionate about rescue dogs. His Instagram bio describes him as a fan of “rescue dogs & dad jokes.”

The family has owned multiple rescue dogs over the years. In one memorable GMA segment, Whit joked about bringing shelter mutts named Nemo and Sunny to work: “Nothing but trouble when shooting a story… What could go wrong?”

His advocacy for rescue animals provides a glimpse into his values beyond professional life and demonstrates his commitment to causes he believes in.

Social Media Presence: Connecting With Viewers

Whit Johnson maintains active social media accounts where he extends his connection with GMA Weekend viewers beyond television.

Official Social Media Accounts:

• Instagram: @whitjohnsontv — Approximately 92,000 followers with 1,366 posts and 2,445 following. His bio reads: “News guy, rescue dogs & dad jokes. Anchor and Correspondent @GoodMorningAmerica @abcworldnewstonight @abcnews Former @OliveGarden waiter.” Engagement rate: 4.88% with an average of 2.6K likes per post.
• Twitter/X: @WhitJohnson — Approximately 14,400 followers. Active account sharing, breaking news, behind-the-scenes content, and viewer engagement.
• Facebook: @WhitJohnsonTV — Approximately 25,000 followers. Posts GMA clips, family-friendly content, and news updates.
• Threads: @whitjohnsontv — Approximately 24,800 followers. A newer platform where he shares quick updates and engages with viewers.
• Personal Website: whitjohnson.com — Features his biography, career highlights, and contact information.

Fun Social Media Detail: Whit’s Instagram bio proudly notes he’s a “Former @OliveGarden waiter”—a humble reference to his pre-journalism days that shows he hasn’t forgotten his roots.

Recognition and Speaking Engagements

Beyond his Emmy Awards, Whit has been recognized for his contributions to journalism:

SFSU Guest Speaker: In 2024, Whit returned to San Francisco State University to inspire current BECA students. He participated in a panel discussion in Knuth Hall and dropped by Marcus Hall for live interviews with student journalists.

Students appreciated his candid advice about the realities of broadcast journalism, including the necessity of moving to small markets, accepting low initial salaries, and building careers gradually.

Viewer Appreciation: Online fan comments consistently praise Whit:

• “Whit Johnson is the best up-and-coming young newscaster. Actually, he’s already arrived.”
• “It would be great to have him on every day and replace Strahan.”
• “Always, the Saturday shows are a favorite in my household. They all truly enjoy one another.”

FAQs About Whit Johnson

What is Whit Johnson’s net worth?
As of 2025, Whit Johnson’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million. He accumulated this wealth through 20 years in broadcast journalism, starting with an $18,000 salary in Yakima, Washington, and progressing to his current role at ABC News.

What is Whit Johnson’s salary?
Whit Johnson’s annual salary is estimated between $130,000 and $200,000 at ABC News. While his exact salary hasn’t been publicly disclosed, his role as co-anchor of GMA Weekend and anchor of ABC World News Tonight Saturday places him in this range, according to industry sources.

How tall is Whit Johnson?
Whit Johnson stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall (185 cm). His height, combined with his athletic build and on-camera presence, makes him well-suited for television anchoring.

Is Whit Johnson gay?
No, Whit Johnson is not gay. He has been married to Andrea Fujii since August 11, 2007 (18 years as of 2025), and they have two daughters together. There is no credible evidence supporting speculation about his sexual orientation.

Who is Whit Johnson married to?
Whit Johnson is married to Andrea Fujii, a freelance correspondent for ABC News. They met while working at KNDO/KNDU in Yakima, Washington, and married on August 11, 2007. They have two daughters: Leah (born 2012) and Summer (born 2014).

How old is Whit Johnson?
Whit Johnson was born on June 25, 1982, making him 42 years old as of 2025. His zodiac sign is Cancer.

What shows does Whit Johnson anchor?
Whit co-anchors Good Morning America Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and anchors the Saturday edition of ABC World News Tonight. He also serves as an ABC News correspondent and fill-in anchor for weekday programs.

What was Whit Johnson’s first job?
Whit’s first broadcasting job was at NBC affiliate KNDO/KNDU-TV in Yakima/Tri-Cities, Washington, starting in 2005. He earned just $18,000 per year as a reporter and weekend anchor—a salary he calls instrumental in teaching him the value of hard work and perseverance.