Bret Baier: Wife, Family Accident, Net Worth, Age, Height & More

Bret Baier is one of the best-known political journalists on American television. He is the chief political anchor of Fox News Channel and the anchor and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier, a position he continues to hold in 2026. He also hosts The Bret Baier Podcast, including the programs Common Ground and The All-Star Panel.

Away from television, Baier has attracted considerable public attention because of his family life. His wife, Amy Baier, and their two sons have faced several serious challenges, including a major car accident in Montana in 2019 and the long-running medical problems experienced by their older son, Paul.

Quick Facts About Bret Baier

●      Full name: William Bret Baier

●      Born: August 4, 1970

●      Age: 56

●      Birthplace: Rumson, New Jersey, U.S.

●      Nationality: American

●      Education: DePauw University

●      Degree: B.A. in political science and English

●      Profession: Journalist, news anchor, and author

●      Wife: Amy Baier

●      Married: 2004

●      Children: Two sons, Paul and Daniel

●      Employer: Fox News Channel

●      Current position: Chief political anchor; anchor/executive editor of Special Report

●      Height: Reported at about 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

How Old Is Bret Baier?

Bret Baier was born on August 4, 1970, in Rumson, New Jersey.

●      That makes him 56 years old.

Baier grew up partly in New Jersey and later in Atlanta, Georgia. Before becoming a national television personality, he worked at local television stations in South Carolina, Illinois and North Carolina.

What Is Bret Baier's Real Name?

His full name is generally given as William Bret Baier.

Professionally, however, he has always been known as Bret Baier.

Where Did Bret Baier Go to College?

Baier attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and English.

His education was followed by a career in local television before he eventually moved into national political journalism.

Bret Baier's Early Journalism Career

Before joining Fox News, Baier worked at several local television stations.

His résumé included:

●      WJWJ-TV, a PBS station in Beaufort, South Carolina

●      WREX-TV, an NBC affiliate in Rockford, Illinois

●      WRAL-TV, a CBS affiliate in Raleigh, North Carolina

These local-news jobs gave Baier experience covering politics, breaking news and regional stories before he moved into national reporting.

When Did Bret Baier Join Fox News?

Bret Baier joined Fox News in 1998.

He became the network's first reporter in its Atlanta bureau.

At the time, Fox News was still a relatively young network. Baier eventually moved from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., where he built his reputation as a political and national-security reporter.

Over the years, he covered the White House, Congress, presidential elections and major international events.

Fox News says he has traveled to more than 70 countries during his career.

Bret Baier's Career at Fox News

Baier has held several important positions at Fox News.

He served as:

●      White House correspondent

●      Chief White House correspondent

●      National security correspondent

●      Anchor of Special Report

●      Chief political anchor

●      Executive editor of Special Report

He succeeded Brit Hume as the anchor of Special Report in 2009.

The program remains one of the central parts of his career.

Fox News currently lists Baier as the anchor and executive editor of Special Report, with Bret Baier as the network's chief political anchor.

What Is Bret Baier Doing Now?

Bret Baier remains active at Fox News.

He continues to host Special Report with Bret Baier on weeknights at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

He is also the host of The Bret Baier Podcast.

The podcast includes:

●      Common Ground

●      The All-Star Panel

Fox News describes Common Ground as a program in which Baier speaks with lawmakers, business leaders and public figures from different perspectives.

Bret Baier's Interviews With Presidents and World Leaders

Throughout his career, Baier has interviewed numerous major political figures.

His interviews have included presidents, presidential candidates and foreign leaders.

Fox News's current biography highlights interviews with figures including:

●      Donald Trump

●      Volodymyr Zelenskyy

●      Keir Starmer

●      Emmanuel Macron

●      Mohammed bin Salman

●      Benjamin Netanyahu

He has also covered virtually every major American political event during his time at Fox News.

Who Is Bret Baier's Wife?

Bret Baier's wife is Amy Baier.

The couple met on a blind date in October 2002 after mutual friends decided they would make a good match.

According to Baier's official biography, Amy flew from Chicago to meet Bret, and they attended a Rolling Stones concert on a double date.

The match apparently worked.

They married in 2004.

Amy has subsequently become involved in philanthropy, particularly causes related to children's heart health.

Who Is Amy Baier?

Amy Baier is a philanthropist and advocate for pediatric heart health.

She has played an important role in the family's efforts to support Children's National Hospital and other pediatric-heart causes.

The couple's philanthropic work became especially personal after their first son was born with serious congenital heart defects.

Their family has also donated to Children's National, where Paul received much of his medical care.

How Many Children Does Bret Baier Have?

Bret and Amy Baier have two sons:

●      Paul Francis Baier

●      Daniel Baier

Paul was born in 2007, while Daniel is their younger son. Fox News's official biography confirms that the couple has two sons.

The boys have grown up largely away from the constant spotlight surrounding their father, although Bret and Amy have occasionally spoken publicly about their family's experiences.

Bret Baier's Son Paul and His Heart Condition

One of the most important parts of Bret Baier's personal story involves his older son, Paul.

Paul was born on June 29, 2007.

Soon after his birth, doctors discovered that he had five congenital heart defects.

The condition was serious enough that doctors told Bret and Amy that Paul needed surgery within days to survive.

Paul's first open-heart operation took place when he was only 12 days old.

He subsequently underwent additional procedures.

How Many Heart Surgeries Has Bret Baier's Son Had?

Paul's medical journey has involved multiple major procedures.

By 2014, Fox News reported that he had undergone three open-heart surgeries and additional angioplasty procedures.

Then, in 2024, Paul underwent another emergency open-heart surgery after doctors discovered an aneurysm near his heart.

That operation became his fifth open-heart surgery.

The aneurysm was discovered after Paul developed what initially appeared to be a common cold. Because of his medical history, his mother took him to a doctor, which eventually led to imaging that revealed the potentially life-threatening aneurysm.

The surgery was successful.

How Is Bret Baier's Son Paul Doing Now?

Reports following Paul's 2024 surgery said that he was recovering well.

By 2025, People reported that Paul had returned to a more normal teenage life, including school and sports, while preparing for college.

Bret and Amy have continued to emphasize gratitude toward the medical professionals who treated their son.

It is important to distinguish Paul's medical history from Bret Baier's own health: the serious heart condition belongs to his son, not to Bret.

Bret Baier's Family Accident in Montana

One of the most widely reported incidents involving the Baier family happened in January 2019.

Bret, Amy and their two sons were involved in a serious car accident in Montana.

The family had been skiing in Montana and was driving toward the airport when their vehicle crashed on icy roads.

According to Baier, the vehicle flipped over.

All four family members were taken to the hospital.

Fortunately, everyone was eventually released.

What Happened in Bret Baier's Car Accident?

Baier said that a passing motorist named Zach stopped to help the family after the vehicle flipped.

The family was able to climb out of the overturned vehicle before first responders arrived.

Baier later expressed gratitude toward the passerby, first responders, and the Montana Highway Patrol.

He also emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts.

The family was described as "banged up, but alive."

Did Anyone Die in Bret Baier's Family Accident?

No.

Bret Baier, his wife Amy and their two sons survived the 2019 Montana crash.

All four were taken to hospital but were later released.

There is therefore no factual basis for claims that Bret Baier lost a family member in that accident.

Did the Car Accident Change Bret Baier?

Baier publicly reflected on the accident as a reminder not to take everyday life for granted.

After the crash, he emphasized the importance of family and expressed gratitude that everyone had survived.

He returned to hosting Special Report shortly afterward.

Bret Baier's Book About His Son

Bret Baier documented his family's experience with Paul's heart condition in the 2014 book Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love.

The book was written with Jim Mills.

It tells the story of Paul's diagnosis, surgeries, and the emotional and spiritual experience of the Baier family.

The book also incorporates correspondence that Baier sent to relatives and friends during Paul's medical crisis.

Baier said the goal was not simply to tell his family's story but to help other families facing serious challenges.

Proceeds from the book were directed toward nonprofit pediatric-heart causes.

Bret Baier's Other Books

Baier is also a successful author of political and historical books.

Among his books are:

●      Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love

●      Three Days in January

●      Three Days in Moscow

●      Three Days at Camp David

●      To Rescue the Constitution

●      The History of the Presidents

●      The Case for America: An Argument on Behalf of Our Nation

Fox News currently describes Baier as the author of seven New York Times bestsellers.

Bret Baier's New Book in 2026

Baier released The Case for America: An Argument on Behalf of Our Nation on May 5, 2026.

The book was published as the United States approached its 250th anniversary.

Baier has described the book as an argument for America and has used his Fox News platform to discuss ideas from the book.

This is particularly relevant to Baier's current career because he remains heavily involved in political reporting and commentary.

Awards and Recognitions

Baier has received several significant journalism honors.

Among them is the 2017 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism.

In 2024, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans gave Baier its signature award, recognizing his professional accomplishments, charitable work and commitment to higher education.

Net Worth

Celebrity Net Worth currently estimates his fortune at approximately $70 million and estimates his annual salary at approximately $20 million.

However, these numbers should not be presented as verified facts.

Celebrity Net Worth is a third-party estimation website, and neither Baier nor Fox News has publicly confirmed that he has a $70 million fortune or receives a $20 million annual salary.

What can be established is that Baier has had a long career at Fox News, has held senior positions, has written multiple bestselling books, and has additional media work through his podcast.

What Is Bret Baier's Salary?

The frequently cited figure of approximately $20 million per year comes from Celebrity Net Worth and should therefore be treated as an estimate.

How Tall Is Bret Baier?

Bret Baier is commonly listed at approximately 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 metres) tall.

What Is Bret Baier's Nationality?

Bret Baier is American.

He was born in Rumson, New Jersey, and has spent his professional life working in American broadcast journalism.

Is Bret Baier Married?

Yes.

Bret Baier has been married to Amy Baier since 2004.

They met in 2002 on a blind date arranged by mutual friends.

The couple has two sons, Paul and Daniel.

Bret Baier and Family Philanthropy

The experience of caring for Paul profoundly influenced the Baier family's charitable work.

Bret and Amy became particularly involved with pediatric heart-health causes and Children's National Hospital.

The family and Amy's parents donated $1 million to Children's National Medical Center in 2008, according to The Washington Post.

The donation was described as a way of giving back to the hospital that had treated Paul.

Personal Life and Faith

Baier has spoken publicly about the importance of his Christian faith, particularly in connection with Paul's health challenges.

His book Special Heart discusses faith, hope, courage, and love as central themes in the family's experience.

Rather than allowing Paul's condition to become the sole definition of their family, Bret and Amy have repeatedly emphasized gratitude and helping other families facing pediatric heart problems.

Bret Baier Career Timeline

Year    Career milestone

1970    Born in Rumson, New Jersey

1990s  Worked in local television

1998    Joined Fox News as first Atlanta bureau reporter

2001    Covered the September 11 attacks and their aftermath

2007    Son Paul was born with five congenital heart defects

2009    Became anchor of Special Report

2014    Published Special Heart

2017    Received Sol Taishoff Award

2019    Survived serious family car crash in Montana

2024    Son Paul underwent emergency fifth open-heart surgery

2024    Received Horatio Alger Association's signature award

2026    Published The Case for America

2026    Continues as Fox News chief political anchor and Special Report host

Conclusion

Bret Baier's story extends well beyond his career as a Fox News anchor.

Professionally, he has spent decades covering presidents, elections, wars, and international affairs. He joined Fox News in 1998 as the network's first Atlanta bureau reporter and ultimately became its chief political anchor and the host of Special Report.

His family life has also shaped his public story. Baier and his wife Amy have two sons, and their older son Paul was born with five serious congenital heart defects. Paul's multiple surgeries, including an emergency fifth open-heart procedure in 2024, led the family to become major advocates for pediatric heart care.

Then there was the frightening 2019 Montana car accident, when Bret, Amy and their two sons were involved in a crash on icy roads. The family survived, and Baier later spoke about the experience as a powerful reminder to appreciate family and everyday life.

Baier remains firmly in the news business, anchoring Special Report, hosting his podcast and continuing to write books. His latest, The Case for America, was released in May 2026 as the United States marked its 250th anniversary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How many marriages has Bret Baier had?

Bret Baier has been married once. He married Amy Baier (née Hills) in 2004, and they remain married. The couple has two sons, Daniel and Paul. Baier and Amy have also been active in supporting children's health causes, particularly congenital heart disease.

2. What is Bret Baier's annual salary?

Celebrity Net Worth estimates his salary at around $20 million per year.

3. Is Bret Baier religious?

Yes. Bret Baier has publicly discussed his Christian faith and the important role religion played in his family's experience after his son Paul was born with serious congenital heart defects. Baier and his wife have spoken about relying on their faith during Paul's medical treatment, and Baier co-wrote Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love about the experience.

4. What is going on with Bret Baier?

Bret Baier continues to work at Fox News and has not left the network. As of 2026, he remains Fox News Channel's chief political anchor, anchor, and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier, which airs weeknights at 6 p.m. ET. He also co-anchors the network's election coverage and hosts The Bret Baier Podcast.

In 2026, Baier also published The Case for America: An Argument on Behalf of Our Nation, released in May as part of Fox News' coverage surrounding America's 250th anniversary.