Judy Bailey: Biography, Age, Husband, New Book, Children
June 7, 2024Judy Bailey (born 1953) is a New Zealand writer and former broadcaster. She is best known for presenting Primetime News on TVNZ for 26 years.
Bailey reported for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. She is the author of Evolving, which shares stories that have shaped her path into older age.
| Judy Bailey | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Name: | Judy Bailey |
| Born: | 1953 (age 71 years old) |
| Nationality: | New Zealander |
| Education: | Journalism |
| Parents: | Ian Morrison (father) |
| Occupation: | Writer, former news presenter |
| Spouse: | Chris Bailey |
| Children: | 3 |
| Book: | Evolving |
Early Life
Judy Bailey was born in 1953 to the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Ian Morrison. She developed an interest in broadcasting during her studies in Wellington.
Career
Bailey, known to many Kiwis as the Mother of the Nation, started to work as a TV and radio reporter at the NZ Broadcasting Corporation. She became a newsreader on the regional magazine show Top Half in 1980 and transferred to 6 pm Network News in 1986.
The broadcaster presented Anzac Day coverage for Maori Television and the series Decades in Colour for Prime TV. She co-hosted the 6 am to midnight coverage of events.
Judy left the 6.00 pm One News bulletin in December 2005. She now works for her charities of choice and writes for The Australian Women’s Weekly.
In 2006, Bailey’s salary was leaked to the media. She received a salary of $800,000 as a presenter for TVNZ. The government criticized the size of the payment even though TVNZ funded it through its commercial revenues.
Bailey has also presented programs such as Decades in Colour, Eyewitness News, Top Half, Here is the News, and One Network News – 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
Judy is a founding member and patron of Brainwave Trust Aotearoa. She is also a patron of the National Collective of Women’s Refuges, Skylight Trust, the Grief Centre, Hospice North Shore, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Bailey is a recipient of several awards. She was appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the community in the 2010 New Year Honours.
Judy received a public vote for Best Presenter during the 1994 New Zealand Film and Television Awards. She has written a book, Evolving, to help prepare people for aging.
Personal Life
Judy Bailey is married to the managing director of South Pacific Pictures Chris Bailey. She met her husband in 1971, and when he asked her to marry him, she said, “Ooh, yes, that would be great”.
At first, her parents did not approve of their marriage because she was 18 years old, so they had to wait one year. Chris and Judy have three children – James, Sam, and Gemma – and many grandchildren. They bought their house in the late 70s.
