Virginia Donald bio: Ex-Wife of Shepard Smith
Who is Virginia Donald?
Virginia Donald, best known as the ex-wife of David Shepard Smith Jr, is a remarkable socialite who has been through a lot but has managed to make the best of life.
Her name “Virginia” is derived from the ancient Roman family name “Virginius” or “Verginius,” meaning “maiden” or “virgin.”
As someone who was once associated with a celebrity’s name, she experienced the limelight, which is not always easy. Even after her celebrity partner left her, dealing with constant media attention could have been a significant burden, but Virginia has managed to carry on with her life gracefully.
As the saying goes, life is like moldable clay – it becomes what you make from it. Despite her challenges, Virginia persevered and built a good life for herself. She had a tough start when she started her career and got married, which ended after only a few years. However, Virginia remained strong and supportive of her life partner even after their relationship ended.
She never fussed about her struggles but tried to integrate her feelings and remain positive until the truth came out. Virginia has been a fighter, a happy soul, and a fashion enthusiast for most of her life. In this biography, we’ll take a closer look at the life of this remarkable woman who has faced adversity with strength and courage. Let’s get to know the ex-wife of Shepard Smith a little better.
Quick facts
| Full name | Virginia Donald |
| Nickname | Virginia |
| Birthday | 1966 |
| Age | 57 years old |
| Sun sign | Virgo |
| Traits | Positive: Witty, loyal, and sensible Negative: Insecure and stubborn |
| Birthplace | Mississippi, USA |
| Current residence | Mississippi, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | No information |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Spouse | David Shepard Smith Jr (1987-1993) |
| Children | None |
| Education | University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism and Acting |
| Profession | Actor and columnist |
| Net worth | Under USD 2 million |
| Social media | None |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.6 m) |
| Eye color | Distinctly Brown |
| Hair Color | Platinum Blonde |
Early life
Virginia Donald was born in Mississippi, USA, in 1966, into a religious Christian family. Being a Virgo woman, Virginia is known for her hardworking, reliable, creative, kind, and patient nature. However, like most Virgos, she tends to be stubborn and overthink sometimes.
Nevertheless, Virginia has always appeared in the media with a bright smile and light clothes, exuding a positive aura.
Some online sources suggest that her parents were high school teachers, although little is known about them. Growing up in an educated family, Virginia was encouraged to pursue higher education, leading her to attend the high school where her parents taught.
After completing high school, Virginia Donald enrolled at the University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism and Acting.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1988, and during her time at college, she also took extra acting classes out of her interest.
Virginia was an exceptional student, loved by her teachers, and greatly desired to pursue acting as a career. During her time at Ole Miss at the University of Mississippi, she met David Shepard Smith Jr, popularly known as Shepard.
Her love for fashion and pets is evident, as she has been a trendy fashion follower and a regular shopper. As a renowned television personality and socialite, Virginia has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry.
relationships
As far as the media is concerned, Virginia Donald’s only publicly known relationship has been with David Shepard Smith Jr, famously known as Shepard Smith. Following their separation, Virginia has remained single and has only been passionate about the latest fashion trends.
Virginia and Shepard’s love story began at the University of Mississippi, where they were classmates. After dating for several years, they got married in 1987. Virginia, who was once a career-oriented girl, became a dedicated housewife after her marriage to Shepard.
Their marriage lasted for six years until Shepard realized he was gay, which is believed to be the reason for their divorce. Despite this, Virginia supported Shepard’s predicament and remained his best friend.
The couple had no children, and the reason behind their divorce remained a secret until rumors began circulating about Shepard having an affair with a co-worker named Giovanni Graziano.
Virginia did not defame Shepard for being gay or for not coming out before their marriage; it is evident that she was a supportive wife and friend. The reason behind their divorce was revealed to the public only after a decade of marriage.
David Shepard Smith Jr
David Shepard Smith, famously known as Shepard Smith, is an American broadcast journalist working for NBC and CNBC news. He hosted an evening show called “The News with Shepard Smith.” However the network decided to shut down the show and Smith left CNBC.
Shepard began his career in journalism in 1996 with the inception of Fox News Channel, where he worked as the chief anchor and managing editor of the breaking news division. Originally from Holly Springs, Mississippi, Shepard’s mother was an English teacher, and his father was a cotton merchant.
Shepard completed high school at Marshall Academy, after which he moved to Florida with his mother following his parents’ separation. He pursued journalism at the University of Mississippi, where he met Virginia. After completing his studies, Shepard took a reporter job in Panama City, Florida, and acted in the 1997 film “Volcano.”
Shepard is famous for his coverage of the 2016 US presidential election and has also been featured in the 2019 documentary drama “Bombshell,” which used footage from his coverage of the election. Today, Shepard is an influential journalist and media personality known for his fearless reporting and exceptional skills in journalism.
Career
After her divorce from Shepard, Virginia Donald faced difficulties rebounding into her career. She tried her luck in the entertainment industry and played several minor roles in television commercials and short movies. Donald also tried writing columns for various magazines in the United States, showcasing her versatile nature and talent.
Virginia gave auditions for film roles but failed to achieve fame in the profession. Despite this, she worked as an actress in some local commercials and short videos, leading her to a certain level of success.
As an avid pet lover, Virginia Donald has appeared in some of the most successful and critically acclaimed magazines in the USA as a guest columnist, proving her writing talent.
While Virginia is mainly known as the ex-wife of Shepard, recent rumors of Shepard’s relationship with a colleague have once again put her in the spotlight. Nonetheless, Virginia has not practiced any formal career since her divorce from Shepard, focusing on other aspects of her life.
Controversies
Virginia Donald was not involved in any controversy by herself. She has kept herself successfully away from the media.
However, she came into the limelight when Shepard’s sexual orientation came forward. It created a roar in the media, which made her a subject of discussion.
Despite everything, it is a surprise for the media how a girl without a job can lead a socialite’s life.
Virginia Donald Net worth
Virginia has been living a socialite’s life. However, she has no formal career to mention in the media. Virginia Donald’s net worth is estimated to be approximately USD 2 million.
Read more about celebrity families here.
Her ex-husband, Shepard Smith, has a net worth of USD 25 million, which he acquired as a news anchor on The Fox News Channel. He receives an annual salary of USD 10 million.
Social media
After separating from Shepard, Virginia Donald tried a few commercials and smaller acting roles in short videos. Apart from this exposure, she has not been active on social media. Thus, she has been maintaining her privacy correctly.
Neither has she disclosed her siblings nor family details clearly to the media.
FAQs
How old is Virginia Donald?
The exact birthdate of Virginia is unknown. However, since she was born in 1966, it makes her 57 years old.
Did Virginia Donald remarry?
After divorcing David Shepard Jr, she remained single. In addition, there is no rumor of Virginia dating anyone either.
Is Shepard Smith in a relationship?
Virginia Donald’s ex-husband, Shepard Smith, is not in a relationship. However, he dated his colleague, Giovanni Graziano, for a brief time after divorcing Virginia. However, he is single as of today.
