Gillian Turner is an American-South African journalist and Fox News correspondent known for her expertise in U.S. foreign policy and politics. She previously served on the White House National Security Council under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and now also works as Vice President at Jones Group International.
With degrees from Columbia University and the University of Cape Town, she brings deep knowledge to her reporting. Turner is also active on social media, where she connects with a large audience and shares updates on her work and life.
Early Life
Gillian H. Turner was born on September 6, 1982, in Cape Town, South Africa. She spent most of her childhood in South Africa in her hometown and later shifted to New York City. Her mother, Rachel Isadora, is a well-known children’s book author and illustrator, as well as a former professional ballerina whose creative background deeply influenced Gillian’s early interest in the arts.
Rachel’s books, such as Ben’s Trumpet, reflect the artistic and imaginative environment Gillian grew up in. While her father has stayed out of the public eye, he played a supportive role in the family’s relocation to the United States, where Gillian pursued her education and later her career. She also has a younger brother named Nick Turner, with whom she shares a close bond.
From the age of 8, she was trained in Ballet at the School of American Ballet and during that time, she was an outstanding dancer. She performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet and was determined to make it her career, but she changed it when she entered college.
She attended and graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in comparative politics. After that, she attended the University of Cape Town for her master’s degree in African Security Studies. She was an extremely intelligent student and won the award for Academic Excellence from Vidda.
Gillian Turner’s Career
Gillian Turner always stood out in school. She was smart, driven, and clearly had a bright future ahead. After finishing her master’s degree, she returned to the U.S. and began working for the Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gillian Turner later joined the Albright Group, LLC, and then moved on to the State Department. There, she worked in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. In 2006, she landed a job at the White House National Security Council. For four years, she served in several key roles.
From 2006 to 2009, Gillian Turner worked as a research assistant in the National Security Advisor’s office. This job allowed her to travel to different countries. Her work earned her the National Security Council Outstanding Service Award, making her the youngest person to receive it. During Barack Obama’s presidency, she was promoted to Acting Director of Legislative Affairs.
In this role, she helped manage communication between the White House and the House of Representatives. She left the position in 2010. In 2014, she began a new career in journalism. Fox News hired her as a contributor. She reported on major government stories in Washington, D.C. In 2017, she became a full-time news correspondent.
People saw her on shows like America’s Newsroom, Fox News Sunday, Fox & Friends, and The Five. She gave updates and opinions on big news stories. Besides her work on TV, she also holds a leadership role at Jones Group International. She works as Vice President and senior associate alongside Jim Jones, a former national security advisor.
Social Media
Gillian Turner is active across multiple social media platforms, where she regularly shares glimpses of her life and career. You can find her on Twitter as @GillianHTurner, where she currently has around 76.9K followers. On Instagram, she uses the handle @gillianhturner and has amassed about 44K followers, along with 446 posts showcasing moments from her work, family life, travels, and more.
Gillian Turner Biography |
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| Real Name | Gillian H. Turner |
| Birth Date | September 6, 1982 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 42 Years |
| Birthplace | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | News Correspondent, Journalist |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sun sign | Virgo |
Physical Statistics |
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| Height | in feet inches—5’7”—in centimeters—170 cm |
| Weight | in Kilograms—56 kg — in Pounds—123 lbs |
| Shoe Size | 8 (U.S.) |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Type | Slim |
Family |
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| Father | – |
| Mother | – |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | – |
Qualification/Education |
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| School | – |
| College | Columbia University, University of Cape Town |
Relationship Status |
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| Marital Status | Married |
| Who is her husband? | Alex Kramer |
| Children | Two (Lucia Rose and Jack Kramer) |
Personal Life
Gillian Turner is married to Alex Kramer, a South African-born entrepreneur and creative director who co-founded Strika Entertainment and has held leadership roles at Capital One and Optoro. The couple met in Cape Town and got engaged in 2016 before quietly marrying in 2019.
Their relationship is built on shared values, cultural roots, and mutual support, often reflected in Gillian’s affectionate social media posts calling Alex the “world’s best husband, dog dad, and braai master.”
Together, they have two children: a daughter named Lucia “Coco” Rose Kramer, born on July 17, 2021, and a son named Jack Kramer, born in December 2024. Gillian frequently shares warm family moments online, showing their close bond and joyful parenting journey.
Gillian Turner credits Alex’s love and encouragement, especially during her pregnancies, for helping her balance motherhood with a demanding journalism career. Despite their public visibility, the couple maintains a grounded and private romantic life, enriched by shared travels, parenting, and their South African heritage.
Gillian Turner Net Worth
Gillian Turner had an incredible career that was active for over a decade. With such an accredited career, she must have a notable net worth. As of 2021, her net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. According to the sources, she is earning a yearly salary of $300,000. As she kept many aspects of her life away from the public, she also hasn’t revealed her exact income and her assets.
Trivia:
- Turner is a dog enthusiast and has two dogs, Olivia and Connor.
- She is fluent in the French language along with English.
- Gillian was named one of the ’50 Most Beautiful Women’ in 2016.
- She was rewarded with the American Politics award.
- Turner was also named a Sharp Fellow at Columbia University.
