Allison Payne

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Allison Payne Wikis

Real NameAllison Payne
BirthdayFebruary 12, 1964
BirthplaceRichmond, Virginia,, U.S.
Zodiac SignAquarius
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionNews anchor
Married/HusbandBobby Richardson
Net WorthN/A
ParentsDana and Kathryn Payne
SiblingsN/A
DeathdaySeptember 1, 2021
Death PlaceDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Death CauseUnknown

Allison Payne was a nine-time Emmy-winning journalist known as a former longtime news anchor for Chicago’s WGN-TV. The Detroit native joined WGN in 1990 and served the station until September 2011. After a series of health issues, the veteran journalist passed away on 1 September 2021 at 57. 

Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Allison Payne was born on 12 February 1964, making her an Aquarius. She graduated from Renaissance High School and later completed a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Detroit Mercy. She received her master’s degree in radio/TV/film from Bowling Green State University.

Dead, Cause of Death, and Funeral

Payne, a 21-year veteran of WGN-TV, died in Detroit on 1 September at the age of 57. Tributes have been flocking in on Twitter for the veteran international journalist.

WGN producer Vicky Baftiri tweeted:

“I’m heartbroken. Allison Payne was my TV godmother, my mentor, my beloved friend. I wish I could’ve saved her like she protected me when I first started this crazy career. She was fiercely smart, beautiful, generous.”

Roland S. Martin, CEO at Nu Vision Media, Inc., tweeted:

Damn. Just got the news that longtime WGNTV anchor Allison Payne has died. She was 57. Allison was a sweet, kind woman; a great anchor, who had an adorable smile. She suffered a lot of health issues the last several years. Gone so soon.

Though the cause of Payne’s death hasn’t been revealed yet, she had suffered from a series of health issues over the years. She had a series of mini-strokes in 2008 and had to take an indefinite leave of absence from WGN-TV. She also battled alcoholism for 20 years and sought treatment for depression as well.

Net Worth, Salary, and Income

Payne was initially the main anchor at NBC affiliate WNWO’s late evening newscast. She then served as the co-anchor of the 6 and 11 p.m. newscast at then NBC affiliate WNEM-TV in Saginaw, Michigan.

From 1990 to 2009, Payne anchored the station’s primetime 9 p.m. newscast. She was paired alongside Steve Sanders at the anchor desk from 1993 to 2008 in the evening and since 2009 at midday.

Allison Payne Net Worth, Salary, Income
Allison Payne was a TV reporter and anchor who worked for more than two decades.

During her tenure with WGN, Payne won numerous awards, including nine Emmys for reporting. In September 2011, she ended her 21-year relationship with the station. After retiring from anchor work, Payne launched Payne Productions, Incorporated, a foundation for students looking to enter the journalism field.

Payne remained active in broadcasting via freelance work until her sudden demise. Without a doubt, she made a fortune during her prime-time in reporting. She continued to make money doing freelance works until her death. However, information regarding her net worth and income hasn’t been disclosed.

Married, Husband, and Children

Payne was too private about her personal life and never talked about her marriage and husband. However, some outlets have reported that she was married to a man named Bobby Richardson. As per the report, she tied the knot with Richardson in 2004, and it was her second marriage.

Payne was previously married to Don Riggs. Not much is known about their marriage except the fact that the two couldn’t sustain their relationship and later divorced. It’s unclear whether Payne had any kids from either of her marriages.

Family, Parents, and Siblings

The longtime WGN-TV anchor was born to Dana and Kathryn Payne. Her parents moved to Detroit, Michigan, when she was five years old. It’s unclear whether she had any siblings.

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