Alan Kohler’s calm presence on nightly news makes him a household name, but his career began as a teenage cadet covering the Poseidon boom. The story behind the face is just as interesting as the numbers he reports.
Age (approx.): 73 years old (born 1951/1952) ·
Profession: Financial journalist, television personality, former newspaper editor ·
Years active: 54 years (began as cadet in 1969) ·
Known for: ABC finance presenter, Intelligent Investor editor ·
Net worth (approx.): Not publicly disclosed
Quick snapshot
- Exact birth date (only circa 1951/1952 known)
- Details of weight loss or health rumors (no verifiable source)
- Exact net worth (not publicly disclosed)
Here are the core biographical details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alan Robert Kohler AM |
| Birth Year | circa 1951/1952 |
| Profession | Financial journalist, television personality, former newspaper editor |
| Employer | ABC, InvestSMART (Intelligent Investor) |
| Years Active | 54 years (since 1969) |
| Notable Role | Finance presenter for ABC News |
Who is Alan Kohler?
Early life and education
Alan Kohler was born around 1951 or 1952 in Australia, though his exact birthplace is not widely reported (Wikipedia (community-edited reference)). He began his journalism career at age 17 or 18 as a cadet on The Australian in 1969, where he covered the Poseidon nickel boom and subsequent bust (ABC News (public broadcaster)). Some sources note his cadetship started in 1971 (Australian Financial Review (business daily)), but the consistently cited figure is 54 years of journalism.
Career milestones
Over five decades, Kohler has held top editorial roles. He was editor of The Age and editor of the Australian Financial Review (Melbourne University Publishing (academic press)). He served as business editor of the ABC’s 7.30 Report and later hosted Inside Business (ABC News). In 2005 he founded Eureka Report, and later launched Business Spectator (InvestSMART (financial services group)). In 2012, his associated company Australian Independent Business Media was sold to News Corp Australia for a reported $30 million (Wikipedia). He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019.
The implication: Kohler’s career trajectory demonstrates the value of adapting to media changes.
What is Alan Kohler known for?
ABC finance presenting
Kohler is the face of finance on ABC News, delivering daily market reports and analysis. His X profile describes him as “Finance presenter and columnist for the ABC and writer and interviewer for Intelligent Investor” (X (Alan Kohler’s official profile)). He also writes columns for The New Daily.
Intelligent Investor role
He is editor at large at Intelligent Investor, part of InvestSMART. The platform describes him as “one of Australia’s most experienced business commentators” (InvestSMART). He previously founded The Constant Investor, which he sold to InvestSMART in December 2018.
Kohler’s dual role at a public broadcaster and a private investment platform creates a unique vantage point. For everyday viewers, his ABC segments offer unbiased market context; for subscribers, Intelligent Investor provides actionable stock picks.
The pattern: his influence extends from public broadcasting to private investment platforms.
How old is Alan Kohler and where was he born?
Age and birth details
Kohler’s X profile indicates a birthday of April 26, but no year is shown (X profile). Wikipedia states he was born circa 1951/1952, making him about 73 years old (Wikipedia). His birthplace is inferred as Australia; no specific city has been confirmed in the provided sources.
Background
He grew up in a journalistic era before the internet, starting his career when newspapers were still the dominant medium. That background shaped his methodical, evidence-based reporting style.
Who is Alan Kohler married to and does he have children?
Spouse
According to Wikipedia, Alan Kohler is married to journalist and author Deborah Forster (Wikipedia). A 2015 wedding speech reproduced on Speakola also refers to his wife as “Deb” (Speakola (speech archive)). Forster is a published author, but further details of their marriage are not widely publicised.
Children including Chris Kohler
Kohler and Forster have three children (Wikipedia). One of their sons is Chris Kohler, finance editor at Nine News (Wikipedia). Chris Kohler followed his father into financial journalism, creating a notable media dynasty.
While the family connection is well-documented, Chris Kohler’s career is his own. For readers searching “Chris Kohler relation to Alan Kohler”, the answer is father and son — but both are respected journalists in their own right.
The takeaway: the Kohler family’s media connections are notable but should not overshadow individual achievements.
Has Alan Kohler lost a lot of weight or is he unwell?
Weight loss rumors
No confirmed reports of significant weight loss or illness appear in the provided sources. The research notes contain no verifiable evidence for these rumors. The absence of information suggests these are unsubstantiated online speculations.
Health status
Kohler continues to appear regularly on ABC News and maintains an active social media presence. There is no public indication of any health issues that would affect his work.
How can I contact Alan Kohler?
Social media
Kohler is active on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @AlanKohler. He also maintains a LinkedIn profile.
Professional channels
For professional inquiries, he can be reached through the ABC’s contact page for journalists or via Intelligent Investor. He does not appear to have a publicly listed personal email address.
Kohler’s public profile makes him accessible via social media, but he likely receives a high volume of messages. For a direct response, professional channels through his employer are more reliable than a tweet.
The catch: high-profile individuals often have limited direct accessibility.
Timeline
- 1969: Began career as a cadet on The Australian, covering the Poseidon boom and bust (Wikipedia).
- 1990s–2000s: Became columnist and editor; launched The Constant Investor.
- 2005: Founded Eureka Report (InvestSMART).
- December 2018: Sold The Constant Investor to InvestSMART.
- 2019: Appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (Wikipedia).
- Present: Editor at Large at Intelligent Investor, finance presenter and columnist for ABC (ABC News).
What this means: Kohler’s moves into digital media reflect broader industry shifts.
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Alan Kohler is a financial journalist with 54 years of experience (ABC News).
- He works for ABC and Intelligent Investor (X profile).
- He has three children; Chris Kohler is his son (Wikipedia).
- He is married to Deborah Forster (Wikipedia).
- He was editor of The Age and Australian Financial Review (Melbourne University Publishing).
What’s unclear
- Exact birth date (only circa 1951/1952 known).
- Details of weight loss or health rumors (no verifiable source).
- Net worth (not publicly disclosed).
- Exact birthplace city (not reported in provided sources).
- Details of early education (not widely documented).
The verdict: while much is known about Kohler’s public career, personal details remain private.
Quotes
Finance presenter and columnist for the ABC and writer and interviewer for Intelligent Investor.
— Alan Kohler, X profile bio
He has been a financial journalist for 54 years.
— ABC News profile
He was born around 1951/1952 and began in 1969 as a cadet.
— Wikipedia article
Summary
Alan Kohler’s career is a masterclass in adapting to a changing media landscape. From covering the Poseidon bubble as a teenage cadet to becoming the trusted voice of finance on national television, he has consistently stayed ahead of the curve. For Australians who rely on his market reports, his credibility is built on decades of firsthand experience — not just a byline. For the journalists who follow him, the takeaway is clear: invest in understanding the numbers, and the audience will follow.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Alan Kohler’s net worth?
Alan Kohler’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. He sold his business Australian Independent Business Media to News Corp in 2012 for a reported $30 million, but personal financial details remain private.
Does Alan Kohler have a son?
Yes, Alan Kohler has three children. One of his sons is Chris Kohler, who is the finance editor at Nine News.
Where was Alan Kohler born?
Alan Kohler was born in Australia, but the exact city or town is not widely reported in the provided sources.
Is Alan Kohler active on social media?
Yes, he is active on X (Twitter) under the handle @AlanKohler, where he shares market commentary and links to his work.
How long has Alan Kohler worked at ABC?
He has been a financial journalist for 54 years. His ABC tenure includes serving as business editor of the 7.30 Report, hosting Inside Business, and currently as finance presenter.
What is Alan Kohler’s role at Intelligent Investor?
He is the editor at large at Intelligent Investor, part of InvestSMART, where he writes and interviews for the platform.
Has Alan Kohler won any awards?
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 for significant service to the media as a journalist and business commentator.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Wire Hub, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.