It’s been nothing but crickets regarding Fox’s former financial guru Maria Bartiromo, who unexpectedly exited her post at Rupert Murdoch’s network in September. Little has been said by her, but plenty has been said about her. The popular fixture on Fox for a dozen years has kept her own counsel for several months, and this week it’s been reported that she and her husband sold their New York City townhouse.
The brownstone, located in the tony Upper East Side, reportedly sold for $7 million. Bartiromo and husband Jonathan Steinberg purchased the property for $6.5 million in 2007. Steinberg runs WisdomTree, a global asset company he founded. The couple’s real estate transaction appeared to be hush-hush: There was no listing, and it closed in only two and a half weeks – reportedly in an all-cash deal.
Too Controversial?
The kerfuffle between Fox and Maria Bartiromo hit the public on Sept. 3, when Fox News Media announced that she was no longer employed by them, effective immediately. However, Bryan Freedman, Bartiromo's attorney, has since said his client was not fired. In a statement, he claimed, “The irresponsible reports that have been published stating that Maria Bartiromo was fired or is no longer an employee of Fox are absolutely and unequivocally false." He continued, “Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.” Since that time, the only thing Maria has said was in this cryptic post on X:
View this post on X
There have been a couple of instances that may be the culprit for the bad blood between Bartiromo and Fox. In June, Fox had the finance journalist read an on-air apology regarding Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary’s statement that “the Chinese government was funding opponents of his Utah data center during an appearance on Bartiromo’s program,” according to USA Today. Now both parties – O’Leary and Fox – are being sued for defamation by the organizations named on a Bartiromo broadcast.
Another scenario has Maria Bartiromo leaking internal Fox information to the Trump administration. This accusation is sketchy at best. What did she leak? When did she leak it? How was it traced to her? Those media outlets that have published this “leaking” story have yet to name a single credible source.
The final scenario goes back to 2021, when Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News. Bartiromo’s name came up “prominently” in the defamation lawsuit that Fox ultimately settled in 2023 and had to pony up $787.5 million.
Maria Bartiromo: A Fox Favorite
Bartiromo is still in her prime and a fan favorite. Her X account confirms this: “You know that millions of us believe in you and will miss tuning in,” wrote one Maria supporter. Another wrote, “We LOVE you, Maria, and we're looking forward to hearing about your next chapter.” Perhaps a fan by the name of Mark Ramsey summed it up best: “You are missed. Will watch you wherever you land. World class journalist and truth teller.”
A recent announcement is sure to slake some fan thirst for the Money Honey. On Dec. 16-17, Bartiromo will host conversations with business, political, and technology leaders at an America Business Forum event in Miami, FL. And, Maria admirers, the proceedings will be broadcast internationally!
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You can see Maria's promotional video here.
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