Helena Pantsis
Famous for his big personality as Channel Nine’s entertainment editor on the Today show, iconic TV persona Richard Wilkins began his career as a musician on the other side of entertainment.
Originally a graduate of English and Music in New Zealand, Richard began as a classical violinist, but soon veered off course to join his band Wilde and Reckless.
In his early 20s, Wilkins brought his band over to Australia, where he left the stage to work on the other side of entertainment.
Having interviewed numerous celebrities since his roles from presenter of MTV Australia to Today Extra, the 68 year old boasts a long career, which aided the introduction of new benchmarks for music television in Australia.
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A father to five children from four different women, Wilkins’ life and career spans many different mediums and identities.
The star’s most recent endeavour is his role as a presenter on Smooth FM, who he recently celebrated his 10th year with.
As of 2022, Richard Wilkins has an estimated net worth of $7 million (£5.9 million), according to ApumoneDotCom.
Various titles that have been bestowed on him include: Variety Club’s Heart of Variety Award (2000), Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community, and two individual Australian Commercial Radio Awards for Best Music Special.
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Wilkins maintains his role as Entertainment editor at Channel Nine, despite concerns about his fitness after a severe bout of Covid-19 last year. He also continues to host Weekend Today alongside Rebecca Madden.
Wilkins has also become a grandfather of two as of 2021, thus his family commitments continue to grow.
On Wilkins’ Instagram, his latest venture involves promoting tourism in New Zealand as a New Zealand Secret (Travel) Agent for Pure New Zealand. He can be seen socialising with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
During the Today show’s 40th anniversary, Wilkins spoke about his strangest moment on air, stating: “The morning Michael Jackson passed away and we got this information coming through that Jeff Goldblum had gone … That was quite the moment. He went on the Colbert Show that night to read his own eulogy.”
Living in the Sydney suburb of Cremorne with his family, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom, two-swimming pool house was bought for $2 million in 2004. It's now worth an estimated $5 million following renovations.
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