Kyle Sandilands’ staggering net worth and pay packet despite 12-minute long meltdown on live radio

Kyle made headlines this week for storming out of the KIIS FM studio and leaving Jackie O to host the show alone - but it was business as usual the next day.

Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands made headlines this week for an outburst many Aussies might expect to lose their jobs over.

But despite his on-air antics - or perhaps because of them - the KIIS FM host is safe in his job and raking in a higher salary than most of us could dream of, locked into a three-year, $5 million-a-year contract to host the show he frequently storms out of.

The latest on-air outburst that saw Sandilands leave the studio came this week when he launched an extraordinary 12-minute rant over the news that former NSW remier Gladys Berejiklian allegedly once called Prime Minister Scott Morrison a “horrible, horrible person” in a text message.

“This is the biggest news in Australia, and it’s all over nothing. So what if the ex-premier called the Prime Minister a horrible, horrible person? I’ve called everyone here an effing c*** in text messages. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gladys was just pacifying whatever loser minister she was talking to,” he began.

Sandilands’ outburst descended into hurling insults at one of the station’s newsreaders and he eventually stormed off, leaving co-host Jackie O stunned and having to do the remainder of the show alone.

Kyle Sandilands had a meltdown on live radio earlier this week. Picture: KIIS FM

Last June, details of Sandilands and co-host on The Kyle and Jackie O Show Jackie Henderson’s contracts with the Australian Radio Network (ARN) were revealed, including that the host’s $5 million salary is locked in for three years.

“We’re locked in to the current astronomical salary that we’re on now for another three years,” he said in July 2021.

Despite the eye-watering salary — which makes him and Jackie O the radio industry’s biggest earners — that’s nowhere near his entire fortune.

Mr Sandilands has a nine-figure net worth thanks to his hugely successful radio career and his own entrepreneurial ventures.

Two months ago, the media personality lifted the lid on how he built a business empire worth more than $100 million.

The 50-year-old’s major moneyspinner, an investment company called King Kyle, reached a valuation of around $100 million in December.

Sandilands founded the company in 2012, and it has recently expanded into content creation and music production, alongside its already wide range of services including beverages and TV show production.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O both reportedly earn $5 million annually.

Sandilands’ incredibly profitable career has weathered many controversies, and this week’s is unlikely to have any negative impact for the controversial presenter.

On Thursday, he apologised for the on-air outburst and was welcomed back by his colleagues and audience.

“Hello Kyle,” co-host Jackie O greeted him carefully at the start of Thursday’s show. “Good to have you back. How are you feeling today?”

“Feeling pretty good, yeah … sort of,” a sheepish Sandilands responded.

“Are you OK over there? You look like you’re going to cry,” Jackie told him.

“Oh, it’s a bit embarrassing, yesterday’s carry-on,” he admitted.

“I felt very justified, but I did get my back up a bit – but that happens among friends.”

Despite his apologies, Sandilands insisted he had “every right” to dictate what news runs within the breakfast show.

“I did notice a few people comment, ‘what right does Kyle have to decide what the news is?’” he said.

“Well, every right, because I run the show. I’m not an employee … I don’t work for anyone.”

Originally published as Kyle Sandilands’ staggering net worth and pay packet despite 12-minute long meltdown on live radio