Phyllis George was a trailblazing American sportscaster and actress, best known for her role as co-host of the CBS pregame show The NFL Today. Her groundbreaking presence on sports television helped pave the way for women in broadcasting.
Phyllis Ann George was born on June 25, 1949, in Denton, Texas. Known for her charisma and poise, she rose to prominence at an early age, eventually winning national recognition and media exposure.
George gained national attention in September 1970 when she was crowned Miss America. The televised ceremony, viewed by approximately 80 million people, featured her performing "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" on piano. At 21, her engaging and natural style captured the public's admiration and marked the beginning of her career in front of the camera.
Emerging from pageantry and early hosting roles, including The New Candid Camera with Allen Funt, Phyllis George transitioned to broadcasting when she met Robert J. Wussler, then head of CBS Sports. Recognizing the potential appeal to a broader demographic, CBS sought to diversify its sports coverage. After a brief conversation with Wussler, who asked if she knew anything about sports—George, a Texas native and Dallas Cowboys fan, answered confidently—the network offered her a broadcasting opportunity.
George made her sportscasting debut at the 1974 Fiesta Bowl. Although initially feeling sidelined, she advocated for a more active role. Her talent for interviewing top athletes became her strength, eliciting revealing and personal commentary from stars like NBA legend Elvin Hayes and tennis champion Jimmy Connors.
Her tenure at The NFL Today began in 1975, where she served as a prominent co-host. She was among the first women to hold such a visible role in sports broadcasting, blending journalistic credibility with a personable approach. Her success influenced future programming and set a precedent for female broadcasters in what had predominantly been a male-dominated arena.
In 1985, she briefly moved into hard news as co-anchor of CBS Morning News, but the transition was less successful. After an eight-month stint, she left the network and returned to Kentucky to focus on family and other ventures.
In 1979, George married John Y. Brown Jr., the businessman and founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, who was serving as Governor of Kentucky. During their 19-year marriage, George served as the First Lady of Kentucky and brought celebrity appeal and heightened visibility to the role. She had two children and took a step back from national broadcasting to raise her family in Kentucky.
Outside of television, Phyllis George also engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits. She launched Phyllis George Beauty, a line of cosmetics and bath products, and wrote several books focused on success and lifestyle. Her various professional endeavors contributed to a modest personal net worth. While exact figures vary by source, estimates place her net worth at several million dollars—a reflection of her diverse career in broadcasting, entrepreneurship, and public life.
Phyllis George died on May 14, 2020, in Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of 70. Her family confirmed the cause of death was polycythemia vera, a rare blood disorder she had battled for several years.
Her pioneering work as one of the first women in national sports broadcasting, combined with her charm and determination, left a lasting legacy in the fields of media and public service. George is remembered not only for her on-screen presence but also for breaking barriers that shaped the future of women in television sports journalism.
| Net Worth 2021: | 100 million |
