Revealed: Georgie Gardner’s salary for new Today show gig
It was announced yesterday that Georgie Gardner will be stepping up to the Today desk after Lisa Wilkinson sensationally quit the breakfast show over an equal pay dispute.
And despite her predecessor's controversial departure over pay, Gardner will make just under half the salary of her co-host Karl Stefanovic.
Gardner will received a pay packet “approaching the $1 million mark” while Karl takes home at least $2 million a year, The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.
Before her exit Wilkinson was reportedly taking home a salary of $1.1 million, substantially less than Stefanovic.
The Australian previously reported that Gardner was being offered $750,000 for the Today hosting role, a $250,000 pay rise on her current role.
But it’s believed Channel Nine upped their offer to the $1 million mark to convince their first choice to take the breakfast TV role.
Just weeks before the announcement, Gardner had dismissed rumours she’d be returning to morning TV due to the “punishing hours”.
However, with the blessing of her family, including husband Tim Baker and the couple’s two children, Bronte, 12, and Angus, nine, Gardner has taken the opportunity of a lifetime.
“It’s going to shake things up on the home front,” Gardner admits.
“But the kids are up for the challenge. They appreciate that this is a wonderful opportunity for me and they’re very supportive. It’s going to give them a chance to step up and show a bit more independence.”
Gardner, who will begin co-hosting duties in 2018, revealed to TV Week that her decision to take on the plum position was not an easy one.
“Sometimes over the past few days I’ve been feeling somewhat intimidated when I consider Lisa and the other women who have gone before me and the legacy they leave,” the 46-year-old explains.
“I mean, you have Lisa [Wilkinson], Jessica [Rowe], Tracey [Grimshaw] and Liz [Hayes] and they’re really outstanding, strong and fabulous women who I hold in the highest of regards so I’m lucky to known them professionally and personally – and I feel honoured to be following in their footsteps.”