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Elizabeth Tilson, popularly known as Elizabeth Ailes, is an important figure in the world of journalism and media. Born in December 1960, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. Her career spans decades, starting as a researcher and booker for NBC News and quickly rising to significant roles in the media industry. Elizabeth played a key role in the launch of CNBC and at NBC was the youngest woman Vice President, responsible for the launch of America’s Talking, which is now MSNBC.
On a personal note, her marriage to Roger Ailes, onetime chairman and CEO of Fox News, in 1998, took things to a personal level. The marriage was both professional and personal, and they were blessed with a son, Zachary, born in 2000. Alongside her television career, Elizabeth delved into publishing by becoming the owner of two newspapers in New York’s Hudson Valley. She managed these until she sold them in 2016.
Following the death of Roger in 2017, Elizabeth retreated from public life, living an extremely private life thereafter. She relocated to Palm Beach, Florida, and dedicated herself to philanthropy, with a particular interest in social welfare and workforce development. Seldom seen in public, in 2024, she was seen at Hillsdale College on behalf of her son as a member of the school’s shooting team. Elizabeth’s story is one of professional success, personal devotion, and quiet philanthropy that commands respect both within and outside the media circles.
She Announced His Death
“I am profoundly sad and heartbroken to report that my husband, Roger Ailes, passed away this morning,” Tilson said. “Roger was a loving husband to me, to his son Zachary, and a loyal friend to many.
He was also a patriot, profoundly grateful to live in a country that gave him so much opportunity to work hard, to rise — and to give back. During a career that stretched over more than five decades, his work in entertainment, in politics and in news affected the lives of many millions.
And so even as we mourn his death, we celebrate his life.” According to reports, Ailes allegedly took a fall last week at his Palm Beach home, and suffered a blood clot that led to his death. Despite the accusations against her husband, Elizabeth Tilson’s relationship with Ailes appeared to be supportive and happy. Pics of the couple show them to be quite fond of each other.
She Married a Controversial Man
Roger Ailes and Elizabeth Tilson married on February 14, 1998, however she was not his first wife. Ailes married three times, and his first two marriages resulted in divorce. During this time, Ailes was well-known for his disrespectful behavior toward women.
Ailes married Tilson, a producer who worked for him at CNBC, two years after launching Fox. They had a son two years later, when Ailes was 59. Elizabeth Tilson’s age was 38 at the time, as the couple are 20 years apart. Despite his third attempt at marriage, reports said his behavior toward women who worked for him did not change.
Several women who worked for or alongside him made claims that he harassed them, including Megyn Kelly, and Laurie Dhue.
NY Mag reported in September 2016 that a Fox source said that Tilson wanted Fox PR to release racy GQ photos of Kelly published years ago, to discredit her accusations against Ailes. Further sources close to the family said Tilson took those revelations very hard.
She’s Successful in the Broadcast Industry
When Ailes bought The Putnam Country News and Recorder (PCNR) in 2008, he made Tilson its publisher. He also purchased the local Putnam County Courier a year later, where she is also publisher.
Tilson was also a veteran of NBC News, and has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. According to her bio on her web site, she is the owner of the Hudson Valley Freedom Press.
