Full biography of Shepard Smith’s ex-wife Virginia Donald and other facts about her

Written by Eniola Baruwa

Who is Virginia Donald?

Virginia Donald is an American socialite and TV personality. She is also famous for being the ex-wife of a renowned American journalist – Shepard Smith. 

Virginia Donald was born in 1966. She is of white ethnicity. She stands at a height of 5ft 5in and weighs an ample 65kg.

Full data profile of American TV personality, Virginia Donald

Virginia Donald’s childhood

Virginia Donald was born and raised in Mississippi. Both her parents were professional teachers at a local high school.

Details regarding Virginia Donald’s childhood and early life have remained largely private. Very little is known about her formative years and family.

Virginia Donald’s education

Virginia Donald got her college education at an academic unit of the University of Mississippi called the School of Journalism and New Media, which was formerly known as the Meek School of Journalism and Acting. 

Virginia Donald’s TV career

Virginia Donald was passionate about acting and she would have loved to be a Hollywood superstar but her acting career never quite took off. 

Early in her career, she took part in several auditions but got little success. She has played minor roles in television shows and featured in a handful of commercials for various brands.

Asides her minor career on television, Virginia Donald has also worked as a columnist for magazines and blogs based in the United States of America. 

Virginia Donald’s marriage to Shepard Smith

Virginia Donald met her former partner, Shepard Smith while studying at the University of Mississippi. Both of them were classmates.

In 1987, Virginia Donald and Shepard Smith exchanged their wedding vows. The couple were married for a period of seven years with no children. The marriage ended in divorce in 1993 with both parties not disclosing the reason for the separation.

Her ex-husband, Shepard Smith became well known after taking a job with FOX News as a news anchor. The 56-year-old slowly climbed his way to the top from correspondent to managing editor at FOX News. He famously reported the death of British royalty, Princess Diane.

Among other prominent news he covered are President Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment trial, Columbine High School massacre of 1999 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Shepard Smith was one of only two TV correspondents allowed to witness the execution of Timothy Mcveigh in 2001. 

Virginia Donald’s net worth

Virginia Donald’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. Her wealth had come from being a celebrity’s ex-wife, her work on television commercials and her time working as a columnist for magazine giants. 

Other interesting facts about Virginia Donald

In a sensational turn of events, Virginia Donald’s ex-husband, Shepard Smith, later came out of the closet to reveal he is gay. 

Shepard Smith spoke recently at his alma mater – University of Mississippi – about being gay.

He said:

‘I’ve never really stood in front of a crowd and talked to them about ‘the gay,’  he said. ‘But I’ve got nothing to hide.’

He also mentioned the struggle of growing up gay in Holly Springs, Mississippi, a town of roughly 8,000 people. This declaration makes one wonder if his marriage to Virginia Donald was one of convenience or if they really shared something special. 

Shep Smith said he didn’t contemplate his sexuality as a result of his conservative upbringing and other reasons.

He said:

‘A. You’re going to hell for it. B. You’ll never have any friends again. C. What are you going to tell your family? And by the way, you’re on television on the craziest conservative network on Earth. They will probably put you in front of a brick wall and mow you down. Of course, none of that was true, but that’s how it felt.’

The news anchor finally came out nine years ago and admitted to seeing a psychologist who helped him figure it all out.

Virginia Donald has often refused to comment on her ex-husband’s sexuality when asked by the press.