Fred McFeely Rogers, born on the 20th of March, 1928 was a popular American TV icon who became popular for creating and hosting the children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” from 1968 to 2001. Fred passed away in 2003.
So how much was Fred Rogers’ net worth? As of mid-2016 his net worth was reported to be $8 million, acquired from his years of working on television as producer, composer, puppeteer and host.
Fred Rogers Net Worth $8 million
Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Rogers was the son of James and Nancy Rogers and had an adoptive sister, Elaine. Growing up Rogers spent most of his time with his grandfather Fred, who would sing to him and would later inspire him to work with kids.
Rogers was educated at Latrobe High School and later attended Dartmouth College, but after one year at Dartmouth he transferred to Rollins College in Florida, and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in music composition.
While on break after graduation, Rogers was watching television and didn’t like what he saw, which was cheap comedy, and he thought that the potential of television was going to waste. Rogers’ then decided to work for TV, and his career started when he was accepted by NBC in New York City. Because of his background and degree in music, he was able to work as one of the production staff in the show “NBC Opera Theatre”. With his new job, he was introduced into the world of Television, and his wealth began to grow.
After three years, he moved back to Pittsburgh and in 1954 began working at WQED, as a puppeteer on a local show entitled “The Children’s Corner” and also partnered with host Josie Carey, host of a live television show, on which he helped create new puppets, music, and interesting characters. While working he also finished his master of divinity degree at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and later he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister.
In 1963, Rogers was hired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and relocated to Toronto. CBC gave him his own show “Misterogers”, a 15-minute children’s show that ran for three seasons. His debut in front of the camera made him a local celebrity among children and tremendously helped his net worth. Although the show was cut short, he brought his creation to his former station WQED in Pittsburgh.
In 1968, his new show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” began airing, and became one of the most successful children’s shows of all time. With Rogers as host, he introduced various supporting puppet characters and fun music that entertained and educated the children of America. His lessons varied from dealing with a child’s first day at school and work to even darker themes like sickness and death.
Aside from the show, he also released musical albums for children and wrote a number of children’s books that also helped his popularity and net worth.
Rogers was also an advocate for proper funding of children’s programs in the United States, and supported VCRs or the recording of television shows, including his own, so families could watch them together at a more convenient time.
After his show ended in 2001, the following year Rogers was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Despite all efforts, he passed away in 2003. He was survived by wife, Sara Joanne Byrd whom he married in 1952, and their two sons.
