Scott Pelley: Children, Wife, Parents, Biography & More

Scott Pelley is an American journalist, author, and television correspondent best known for his long career with CBS News and his work on 60 Minutes. Over the decades, he has covered wars, presidential administrations, natural disasters, and some of the most important news stories of modern times.

Widely regarded as one of America's most accomplished journalists, Pelley has earned dozens of Emmy Awards and numerous other journalism honors.

Quick Facts About Scott Pelley

● Full Name: Scott Cameron Pelley

● Date of Birth: July 28, 1957

● Age: 68 Years Old

● Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, USA

● Nationality: American

● Profession: Journalist, Author, TV Correspondent

● Education: Texas Tech University

● Wife: Jane Boone Pelley

● Marriage Year: 1983

● Children: One Son and One Daughter

● Known For: CBS News, CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes

● Book: Truth Worth Telling

Who Is Scott Pelley?

Scott Cameron Pelley was born on July 28, 1957, in San Antonio, Texas, United States. He is a journalist, television correspondent, author, and former anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News.

He joined CBS News in 1989 and later became one of the network's most prominent reporters, serving as Chief White House Correspondent, 60 Minutes correspondent, and anchor of CBS Evening News.

Age

Scott Pelley was born on July 28, 1957. He is 68 years old.

Early Life and Education

Although born in San Antonio, Pelley grew up primarily in Lubbock, Texas. His journalism career began remarkably early when he worked as a copy boy for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal newspaper at just 15 years old.

He later attended Texas Tech University, where he studied journalism before launching his professional reporting career.

Parents

Scott Pelley has generally kept details about his parents out of the public spotlight, and he rarely discusses them in interviews. However, genealogical records and biographical sources identify his parents as John Elmer Pelley Jr. and Wanda Jean (Graves) Pelley.

Some family history records indicate that his father, John Elmer Pelley Jr., lived from 1922 to 2003, while his mother, Wanda Jean Graves Pelley, lived from 1924 to 2004. These records also suggest that Scott comes from a family with deep roots in the American South and Southwest.

Career

CBS News

Pelley joined CBS News in 1989 and quickly established himself as one of the network's leading correspondents. During his career, he covered:

● The Gulf War

● The Oklahoma City bombing

● The Waco siege

● Presidential elections

● The Clinton impeachment

● The September 11 attacks

● Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

● International conflicts in Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine

His reporting from conflict zones earned widespread praise throughout the journalism industry.

CBS Evening News

In 2011, Pelley became anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, succeeding Katie Couric.

During his tenure, the broadcast gained more than 1.5 million viewers and achieved its strongest audience growth in decades.

60 Minutes

Pelley has been a correspondent for the acclaimed television newsmagazine 60 Minutes since 2004.

He has interviewed world leaders, presidents, military commanders, business executives, and public figures while producing some of the program's most memorable reports.

Wife

Scott Pelley has been married to Jane Boone Pelley since 1983.

Jane Boone Pelley is a former television reporter and advertising executive. The couple has been together for more than four decades, making theirs one of the longest-lasting marriages in American television journalism.

Throughout Pelley's career, Jane has largely stayed out of the public spotlight while supporting his demanding work as a journalist.

Children

Scott and Jane Pelley have two children: a son and a daughter.

Unlike many celebrity families, the Pelleys have chosen to keep their children's lives private. As a result, relatively little information about them has been publicly disclosed.

Pelley has occasionally spoken about the importance of family and balancing his career with life at home.

Book

In 2019, Pelley published "Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter's Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times."

The book combines memoir, journalism, and reflections on lessons learned from decades of reporting around the world. It features stories from war zones, disaster areas, and interviews with influential leaders and ordinary people alike.

CBS News Controversy

Scott Pelley has received public attention surrounding changes and internal controversy within CBS News, particularly involving the long-running program 60 Minutes, where he has been a prominent correspondent.

The discussion intensified after reports and commentary about significant editorial and staffing shifts within the network, which sparked debate about journalistic independence, newsroom leadership, and the future direction of the program.

As one of the most recognizable figures associated with 60 Minutes, Pelley’s name has naturally been drawn into broader conversations about these changes, even when he is not directly at the center of every reported decision.

At the same time, renewed attention has also come from clips and interviews circulating online, where his reporting style and commentary on journalism ethics, democracy, and current affairs continue to resonate widely with audiences.

This combination of newsroom developments and viral media moments has contributed to his recent visibility and trending status across news and social platforms.

Awards and Recognition

Scott Pelley is one of the most highly decorated journalists in television history, with a career marked by extensive recognition for excellence in reporting. Over the years, he has received more than 50 Emmy Awards, reflecting his outstanding contributions to broadcast journalism.

He has also been honored multiple times with both the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award and the George Foster Peabody Award, two of the most respected honors in the journalism industry.

In addition, Pelley has been recognized with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, and several Writers Guild of America Awards.

These accolades collectively reflect his long-standing reputation for excellence in investigative journalism, international reporting, and his consistent commitment to high-quality storytelling throughout his career.

Social Media Presence

Scott Pelley maintains a professional but relatively low-key presence on social media, using it mainly as an extension of his journalism work rather than for personal content. He is active on platforms such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, where he shares updates related to his reporting, public appearances, and major developments in broadcast journalism.

On Instagram, Pelley occasionally posts reflections, behind-the-scenes moments from his work, and messages to viewers, while his X account is primarily used for sharing news-related commentary and professional updates. His social media activity often aligns with his role as a senior correspondent at CBS News and his work on programs like 60 Minutes.

Overall, his online presence is not highly personal or influencer-driven; instead, it reflects his long-standing reputation as a traditional broadcast journalist who uses digital platforms mainly to support and extend his reporting work.

Conclusion

Scott Pelley has spent more than four decades reporting some of the most significant events in modern history. From war zones and presidential administrations to investigative journalism on 60 Minutes, he has built a reputation for rigorous reporting and journalistic integrity.

While he keeps much of his family life private, his enduring marriage to Jane Boone Pelley, dedication to journalism, and numerous professional achievements have cemented his place among America's most influential broadcasters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What happened to Scott Pelley on 60 Minutes?

Scott Pelley was a longtime correspondent on 60 Minutes, joining the program in 2004. In June 2026, CBS News terminated his employment following a public clash with the network's new leadership. Reports indicate that Pelley criticized changes being made to 60 Minutes and accused CBS executives of undermining the program's journalistic standards.

2. What is Scott Pelley's salary?

Scott Pelley's exact current salary has not been publicly disclosed. During his years as anchor of the CBS Evening News and correspondent for 60 Minutes, media reports estimated that he earned several million dollars annually. However, neither CBS nor Pelley has publicly confirmed a specific salary figure.

3. What is Scott Pelley doing today?

Following his departure from CBS News in 2026, Scott Pelley has remained active as a journalist, author, and public speaker. He has also spoken publicly about the changes at CBS News and the future of broadcast journalism. Before his departure, he had spent more than three decades with CBS and won numerous Emmy, Peabody, and duPont awards.

4. Why did Scott Pelley leave the CBS Evening News?

Scott Pelley stepped down as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News in 2017 to focus full-time on his work as a correspondent for 60 Minutes. CBS stated that the milestone 50th season of 60 Minutes required his full contribution and that he would continue reporting on major stories for the network.