Maury Povich

January 17, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Maurice Richard Povich was born on January 17, 1939. He is a retired American television personality best known for hosting the tabloid talk program “Maury,” which debuted in 1991. Povich began his career as a radio reporter, first for W.W.D.C. and then for N.B.C. He is the only television personality to have three successful syndicated series in a row, starting with the groundbreaking Fox tabloid infotainment T.V. show “A Current Affair” (1986-1990), Paramount’s “The Maury Povich Show” (1991-1998), and NBC Universal’s “Maury” (1998-present). We’ll be happy to help you celebrate his birthday right here!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Maurice Richard Povich

Nickname:

Maury

Birth date:

January 17, 1939

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Capricorn

Height:

6' 0"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$80 million

Background

Maurice Richard Povich was born in the Washington District of Columbia on January 17, 1939. He is the second of three children born to Shirley Povich and his wife, Ethyl Friedman, in a Jewish family. Povich grew up with his sister Lynn and brother David. His father was a well-known sports columnist for the Washington Post, whose career impacted his childhood, sparking an interest in sports and news. In 1957, he graduated from the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, with a high school diploma. He studied Television Journalism at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1962.

Povich began his career in broadcast journalism as a street reporter in Washington, D.C., 50 years ago. On WTTG. T.V., a local Metromedia station, he rapidly transitioned to covering news, talk, and sports shows. During the turbulent 1960s and 1970s, Povich anchored “Panorama,” a daily two-hour live news chat show. He later worked for ABC, C.B.S., and NBC-owned and operated television stations in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, anchoring newscasts. In 1983, he returned to WTTG. T.V. in Washington, D.C., to present “Panorama” and the station’s ten o’clock news. Rupert Murdoch bought the Metromedia company in 1985, and Fox Television was born. Povich was recruited to New York by Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch to help establish and anchor the news magazine “A Current Affair,” which debuted in 1986. Povich departed “A Current Affair” in 1991 to host his nationally syndicated talk program, Paramount’s “The Maury Povich Show,” simplified to “Maury” after the show’s move from Paramount to N.B.C. Universal in 1998. He was president of the National Television Academy’s (N.T.A.) New York Chapter for two consecutive terms–previous presidents of the N.T.A. New York Chapter.

Povich’s wife, Connie Chung, received the prestigious Governor’s Award from the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) in March 2006. In 1962, Povich married Public Relations Consultant Phyllis Minkoff. However, after having two daughters, they separated in 1979. He married Connie Chung on December 2, 1984, five years after his first marriage ended. In 1968, he met Chung at WTTG. Their 23-year-old son, Matthew, lives with them in Manhattan. Povich is also the grandfather of four children.

Career timeline

The early 1960s

He Begins his Career on WWDC

Not long after graduation, Povich gets his first job on the Washington radio station, where he does publicity and works as a reporter.

1986

He Works at “A Current Affair”

Rupert Murdoch brings Povich to New York to help create and host the news magazine “A Current Affair.”

1991

He Hosts “The Maury Povich Show”

He launches his first syndicated American tabloid talk show.

1998

He Launches “Maury”

When Studios U.S.A. takes over the production of “The Maury Povich Show,” it is rebranded as simply “Maury.”

2007

He Launches “Flathead Beacon”

Povich launches "Flathead Beacon" — a weekly print newspaper and an online news source.

2020

The Daytime Emmy Award Nomination

Povich is nominated for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for “The Maury Povich Show.”

Why We Love Maury Povich

He gives back
In 2011, he gave a $1 million grant to his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, to create the Povich Fund for Journalism Programs at the school's Kelly Writers House. In 2006, he launched the Povich Writer-in-Residence program, which allowed the university to introduce advanced journalism subjects to its writing curriculum.
Journalism runs in his family
Povich comes from a family of journalists. His father, Shirley Povich, was a legendary Washington Post sports columnist who worked for the publication for 75 years. Povich's sister, Lynn, worked as a senior editor at Newsweek and served as editor-in-chief of Working Woman magazine for five years.
“Maury” is authentic
What you see on "Maury" may seem too crazy to believe, but Povich has assured his viewers that everyone they see on the show is candid and sincere. Povich explained that all of it is real, without a single scripted scene.

5 Surprising Facts

He is an avid golfer
Povich is an avid golfer with a 2.4 handicap who competes in senior amateur golf competitions across the U.S. in his spare time.
He played with George Bush
For more than 30 years, Povich has been golfing buddies with former U.S. President George W. Bush.
“Maury” was accused of exploiting its guests
On several occasions, "Maury" has been accused of exploiting its guests' problems for entertainment, although Povich disagrees.
Jerry Springer likes “Maury”
Springer once admitted his dirty little secret about liking “Maury” better than his show.
“Maury” invited Sholonda 17 times
The infamous Sholonda, who has gone on "Maury" for 17 separate paternity tests to attempt and locate the father of her baby, is one of the most frequent repeat visitors.