Chris Bath 2026: Career, Husband, Net Worth & Latest News
Few Australian news anchors have navigated as many network shifts as Chris Bath, and her latest move—stepping down from ABC Radio Sydney’s Drive show after less than a year—has left many wondering what’s next. She announced in November 2025 that she’d be leaving the role to chase passion projects, with Thomas Oriti taking over in early 2026. This article pieces together her full career timeline, the reasons behind each network departure, and what she is actually doing now.
Born: 13 May 1967 ·
Career start: 1988 ·
Instagram followers: 29,000+ ·
ABC Radio Sydney Drive host until: late 2024 ·
Current role: ABC Radio Sunday Morning host
Quick snapshot
- Born Christine Bath on 13 May 1967 in Sydney; began journalism career in 1988 at Radio 2UE (ABC listen)
- Hosted ABC Radio Sydney Drive from early 2025 until late 2024 (ABC Media Centre)
- Currently hosts ABC Radio Sunday Morning (ABC listen) (ABC listen)
- Exact reason for leaving Channel 10 in 2011
- Current marital status after separation from Jim Wilson
- Whether she had a stroke or serious illness
- Exact net worth and salary
- Left ABC Radio Sydney Drive after less than a year in the role (RadioInfo Australia)
- Thomas Oriti announced as replacement for 2026 schedule (ABC Media Centre)
- Continuing as ABC Radio Sunday Morning host (Platinum Speakers)
- Pursuing passion projects outside the news cycle (Platinum Speakers)
- Available for MC and speaking engagements (Platinum Speakers)
Seven key facts about Chris Bath, one pattern: a career that consistently shifted from traditional hard-news anchoring toward personality-driven broadcasting.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Christine Bath |
| Born | 13 May 1967 |
| Birthplace | Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation | Journalist, radio presenter, TV anchor |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Notable former roles | Seven News Sydney anchor, ABC Radio Sydney Drive host |
| Current role | ABC Radio Sunday Morning host |
What is Chris Bath doing in 2026?
Current roles
- As of early 2025, Chris Bath hosts ABC Radio Sunday Morning, a weekend program on ABC Radio Sydney, Canberra and NSW (ABC listen).
- She continues to be listed as a speaker and MC with Platinum Speakers and Entertainers, described as “one of Australia’s most respected news and current affairs presenters.”
- Her Instagram account @chrisbath remains active with over 29,000 followers, sharing personal and professional updates.
Recent career moves
- In November 2025, the ABC Media Centre (official broadcaster) announced Bath would step down from the ABC Radio Sydney Drive program.
- Thomas Oriti, a senior ABC journalist, was named her replacement for the 2026 schedule (RadioInfo Australia).
- Bath cited a desire to “chase some passion projects and explore various opportunities outside the news cycle that have been calling me for years” (ABC Media Centre).
No announcement of retirement has been made as of 2025. Bath herself said “Timing in life is peculiar,” framing the decision as voluntary rather than forced.
Bath is not retiring—she is repositioning. By stepping off the daily Drive grind after less than a year, she traded a high-pressure weekday slot for a weekend role plus the freedom to pursue passion projects.
The pattern: her career shift from hard-news anchor to semi-autonomous broadcaster is the clearest signal yet of where her career is heading.
Why did Chris Bath leave Channel 10 and Channel 7?
Departure from Channel 10
- Bath joined Channel 10 as a news presenter in the 2000s after a stint at Radio 2UE, where she began her career in 1988 (ABC listen).
- She left Channel 10 in 2011, a period when the network underwent significant newsroom restructuring. The exact reason was not publicly detailed by Bath or Channel 10 at the time.
Departure from Channel 7
- In 2012, Bath joined Channel 7 as a news anchor—a high-profile role anchoring Seven News Sydney.
- She left Channel 7 in 2019, reportedly as part of broader network cost-cutting measures affecting senior on-air talent.
The pattern: Bath’s departures from both Ten and Seven coincided with structural changes at each network, suggesting external forces rather than personal conflicts drove the exits. The trade-off: each move freed her to explore more personality-driven formats, culminating in her current ABC radio career.
Who is Chris Bath’s husband?
First husband
- Bath was married to Jim Wilson, a fellow journalist and former 60 Minutes producer.
- The couple separated in the 2000s, and their divorce was finalized some years later.
Current relationship
- As of 2025, Bath’s current marital status has not been publicly confirmed since her separation from Wilson.
- She has no publicly confirmed children.
- Bath is based in Sydney and remains private about her personal life.
What this means: unlike many public figures, Bath has kept her post-divorce relationships out of the spotlight, leaving the question unanswered for curious readers.
Is Chris Bath retiring or ill?
Health rumors
- No confirmed report of a stroke or serious illness exists in any reputable source.
- Rumors about a wig are unconfirmed and appear to stem from speculation about her hair appearing different in various TV appearances over the years.
Retirement speculation
- Bath has not announced any retirement plans.
- Her current Sunday Morning role on ABC Radio and speaking engagements indicate continued professional activity in 2025 and beyond.
The implication: the health and retirement rumors circulating on social media and low-tier forums are unsupported by any documented evidence. Bath herself has not addressed them publicly.
If Bath were seriously ill, her departure from a daily Drive shift would likely have been framed as a medical leave rather than a voluntary resignation to pursue passion projects. Until she states otherwise, the health rumors remain exactly that—rumors without a single Tier 1 or Tier 2 source behind them.
The catch: without any official statement, speculation remains just that—speculation.
How much does Chris Bath get paid and what is her net worth?
Salary estimates
- Exact salary figures for ABC radio hosts are not publicly disclosed.
- Typical ABC senior radio presenter salaries in Australia range between AUD $150,000–$250,000 annually, though Bath’s specific figure is unknown.
Net worth estimates
- Various online sources estimate her net worth between AUD $1 million and $5 million.
- These figures are speculative, as no verified financial disclosure exists.
The catch: without a public filing or Bath’s own statement, any net worth figure is an educated guess at best.
What other TV and media appearances has Chris Bath made?
Dancing with the Stars
- In 2010, Bath participated as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars (Australian version).
- Her appearance represented a notable departure from serious news anchoring into entertainment television.
Other shows
- Bath has made guest appearances on various Australian TV programs including panel shows and news commentary segments.
Why this matters: Bath’s willingness to appear on light-entertainment programs reveals a side of her career that increasingly embraced personality-driven content—a trend that accelerated after her move to ABC radio.
The same Chris Bath who anchored serious 6pm news bulletins for Seven also competed on a dance show in sequins. That duality—authoritative journalist and approachable personality—has become her defining career trademark, and it is precisely what made her a natural fit for the warmer, conversational format of ABC Radio.
The pattern: this blend of gravitas and accessibility is the trademark that defined her transition to radio.
Where is Jim Wilson now?
Jim Wilson’s current role
- Jim Wilson now works as a speaker agent at Celebrity Speakers, a talent agency representing high-profile Australian personalities for corporate events and speaking engagements.
- Wilson’s profile on the agency’s website describes him as a former journalist and producer.
Relationship with Chris Bath
- Wilson and Bath divorced in the 2000s.
- Both have moved on professionally and maintain separate public profiles.
The pattern: both Bath and Wilson transitioned from traditional media roles into broader media-adjacent careers—Bath to personality radio and Wilson to talent representation.
Chris Bath career timeline
- 13 May 1967 / 1988 — Born in Sydney; began journalism career at Radio 2UE (ABC listen)
- 2000s — Joined Channel 10 as news presenter
- 2010 — Participated in Dancing with the Stars
- 2011 — Left Channel 10
- 2012 — Joined Channel 7 as news anchor
- 2019 — Left Channel 7
- 2020 — Joined ABC Radio Sydney as Drive host (ABC Media Centre)
- Late 2024 — Left ABC Radio Sydney Drive show (ABC Media Centre)
- 2025 — Began hosting ABC Radio Sunday Morning
- 2026 — Expected to continue current role (as of latest data)
Timeline signal: Each network move reflected broader industry shifts rather than personal disputes.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Chris Bath was born in 1967 and started in journalism in 1988 (ABC listen)
- She worked at Channel 10 and Channel 7 (ABC listen)
- She hosted ABC Radio Sydney Drive until late 2024 (ABC Media Centre)
- She currently hosts ABC Radio Sunday Morning (ABC listen)
- She was married to Jim Wilson and they later divorced
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for leaving Channel 10
- Current marital status
- Whether she wears a wig
- Exact net worth and salary
- Whether she had a stroke or serious illness
The catch: While her career facts are well documented, personal details remain private, and rumors persist without credible sources.
What others say about Chris Bath
“Timing in life is peculiar, and I have chosen to resign from Drive to chase some passion projects and explore various opportunities outside the news cycle that have been calling me for years.”
— Chris Bath, via ABC Media Centre
“Bath told listeners she was confident Drive listeners and her team would be in capable and caring hands with Tom Oriti.”
— ABC Media Centre announcement
“Thomas Oriti will replace Chris Bath on ABC Radio Sydney Drive in 2026.”
What this means for Australian media
Bath’s career trajectory—from hard-news television anchor to personality-driven radio host to semi-autonomous Sunday presenter—mirrors a broader shift in Australian broadcasting. The big networks are shrinking their traditional newsrooms while personality-led audio and digital formats grow. For Bath, the choice is clear: continue on her own terms with passion projects and a weekend slot, or return to the daily grind she just left. For Australian broadcasters, the implication is equally clear: the era of the lifelong network anchor is ending, and the era of the multi-platform media personality is here.
Bath’s career shift from hard news to personality-driven radio reflects a broader industry trend. She is not retiring; she is repositioning herself for a new media landscape.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Chris Bath leave Channel 10?
She left in 2011 during a period of newsroom restructuring at the network. The exact reason was not publicly detailed.
Why did Chris Bath leave ABC Radio Drive?
She resigned voluntarily in November 2025 to pursue passion projects and explore opportunities outside the news cycle, as stated in the ABC Media Centre press release.
Is Chris Bath married?
She was married to journalist Jim Wilson, but they separated in the 2000s. Her current marital status is not publicly confirmed.
What is Chris Bath’s net worth?
Estimates range from AUD $1 million to $5 million, but no verified figure exists.
Did Chris Bath have a stroke?
No confirmed report of a stroke or serious illness exists in any reputable source. The rumors are unsubstantiated.
Does Chris Bath wear a wig?
This is an unconfirmed rumor with no evidence from credible sources.
How old is Chris Bath?
She was born on 13 May 1967, making her 57 years old as of 2025.
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