Trevor McDonald is one of the most recognisable and respected faces on British television. He has been a news presenter for over four decades, covering some of the most important and dramatic events of our time. He has also made a name for himself as a documentary maker, interviewing some of the most influential and notorious figures in the world. In this blog post, we will explore his life, career, achievements, and personal details.
Trevor McDonald was born on 16 August 1939 in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, to Josephine and Lawson McDonald. He is of mixed African and Indian heritage. He began his career as a print and broadcast journalist in Trinidad in the 1960s, before moving to London in 1969 to work as a producer for BBC Radio, broadcasting to the Caribbean. In 1973, he joined Independent Television News (ITN) as a general reporter, becoming the first black reporter on British television. He soon specialised in international politics, covering major stories such as the Iran hostage crisis, the Falklands War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the first Gulf War. He also interviewed prominent leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Saddam Hussein, and Muammar Gaddafi.
In 1992, McDonald was promoted to be the sole presenter of News at Ten, the flagship news programme of ITV. He became a household name and a trusted voice for millions of viewers, delivering the headlines with authority, clarity, and professionalism. He also developed a signature sign-off, saying “and finally” before introducing a lighter or human-interest story at the end of the bulletin. He won several awards for his work, including the Royal Television Society’s Gold Medal and a BAFTA Fellowship. He was also knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999 for his services to journalism.
In 1999, McDonald left News at Ten to launch a new current affairs programme, Tonight with Trevor McDonald. The show featured in-depth reports and interviews on topical issues, often with exclusive access and revelations. Some of the notable subjects he covered include the death of Princess Diana, the Omagh bombing, the Lockerbie trial, the Michael Jackson trial, and the Madeleine McCann case. He also travelled to various locations around the world, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Zimbabwe, and North Korea, to report on the situation and meet the people there.
In 2005, McDonald returned to News at Ten for a brief period, before retiring from the programme in 2008. He continued to make documentaries for ITV, focusing on themes such as crime, history, culture, and wildlife. Some of his popular series include The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald, Inside Death Row with Trevor McDonald, Mafia Women with Trevor McDonald, and Indian Train Adventure with Trevor McDonald. He also hosted the British Soap Awards from 2006 to 2008, and appeared as a guest on several shows, such as Have I Got News for You, The One Show, and The Graham Norton Show.
McDonald has been married twice and has three children. His first wife was Beryl, whom he married in 1964 and divorced in 1985. His second wife was Josephine, whom he married in 1986 and separated from in 2020. He has two sons, Tim and Jo, from his first marriage, and a son, Jack, from his second marriage. He also has several grandchildren. He lives in a mansion in London, and also owns properties in Trinidad and Barbados. He is a fan of cricket and football, and supports Arsenal FC. He is also a patron of several charities, such as the Alzheimer’s Society, the Prison Advice and Care Trust, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
According to various sources, McDonald’s net worth is estimated to be around £12 million, as of 2021. He has earned his wealth from his long and successful career in journalism and broadcasting, as well as from his books and speaking engagements.
Trevor McDonald is a legend of British journalism, who has been a news presenter and a documentary maker for over four decades. He has covered some of the most important and dramatic events of our time, and interviewed some of the most influential and notorious figures in the world. He has also won numerous awards and honours for his work, and has been knighted by the Queen. He is widely admired and respected by the public and his peers, and is regarded as one of the best in his field.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions and answers about Trevor McDonald:
