The Private Lives Of Bill Whitaker's Children: What We Know About William III And Lesley Whitaker In 2025

Bill Whitaker, the esteemed correspondent for *60 Minutes*, has built a legendary career on his ability to uncover the most compelling and often private stories across the globe. Yet, when it comes to his own family, the veteran journalist maintains a remarkably private life. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the latest public information confirms he and his wife, Terry Whitaker, are parents to two successful, highly-educated adult children: a son, William Whitaker III, and a daughter, Lesley Whitaker. The Whitaker children, now adults, have largely avoided the public spotlight, a testament to the family's commitment to privacy despite their father's high-profile role with CBS News for decades. The few details that have emerged offer a fascinating glimpse into the next generation of the Whitaker family, revealing a shared commitment to education and professional success outside of the media industry.

Bill Whitaker's Biography and Family Profile

The foundation of Bill Whitaker’s private life is his decades-long marriage and his two children. The following is a detailed profile of the *60 Minutes* correspondent and the key figures in his immediate family, with the most current information available as of December 2025.

• Full Name: William R. Whitaker II
• Date of Birth: August 26, 1951
• Age (as of 2025): 74 years old
• Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Wife: Terry Whitaker
• Marriage Length: Married for nearly 40 years (since the mid-1980s)
• Children: William Whitaker III (Son) and Lesley Whitaker (Daughter)
• Education: Boston University (B.A. in American History), UC Berkeley (M.A. in Journalism)
• Current Role: Correspondent for *60 Minutes* (since 2014)
• Residences: New York City (Harlem) and previously Los Angeles
• Latest Honor: 2024 UC Berkeley Alumnus of the Year

The Two Pillars of the Whitaker Family: William III and Lesley

Bill and Terry Whitaker's dedication to their children's education and privacy is one of the most consistent themes in their public profile. Both children were raised primarily in Los Angeles during Whitaker’s tenure as the CBS News correspondent there before the family moved to New York City. The children’s paths highlight a family value placed on intellectual rigor and achieving professional independence.

William Whitaker III: The Financial Entrepreneur

The son of the veteran journalist, William Whitaker III, has carved out a successful career for himself in the demanding world of finance. William III, often referred to as "Little Bill" by those close to the family, was mentioned in a 2022 profile as being 34 years old. This places his approximate age at 36 as of late 2024/early 2025. He chose a career path distinctly different from his father’s, opting for the corporate and financial sector rather than the fast-paced world of journalism. * Profession: William III is reported to have started his own financial company in New York City. This shows an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to make his own mark in a highly competitive industry. * Education: Like his sister, William III is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. This rigorous preparatory education set the stage for his later professional achievements. * Location: His professional life is centered in New York City, where he runs his financial firm, keeping him geographically close to his parents, who reside in Harlem.

Lesley Whitaker: The Private Daughter

Details about Bill Whitaker's daughter, Lesley Whitaker, are even more scarce, reflecting the family's deep commitment to her privacy. The name Lesley (sometimes cited as Leslie) is the most commonly reported name for his daughter. While her father’s colleague on *60 Minutes* is Lesley Stahl, the name is a distinct and separate entity within the Whitaker family. What is known about Lesley is largely tied to her elite educational background: * Education: Lesley Whitaker also graduated from the highly-regarded Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. * Career Path: Unlike her brother, Lesley’s current profession or specific career path is not publicly documented. The Whitakers have successfully shielded her professional life from the media, allowing her to pursue her career anonymously. The lack of public details about Lesley is a deliberate choice by the family, prioritizing her personal and professional freedom over public curiosity.

The Importance of Privacy in the Life of a High-Profile Journalist

The calculated discretion surrounding the Whitaker children is a fascinating counterpoint to Bill Whitaker's career. As a correspondent for *60 Minutes*, Whitaker’s entire professional life is dedicated to uncovering and exposing the truth about public figures, global events, and complex issues. This professional exposure seems to have reinforced his desire to protect his family's personal sphere.

A Life of Balance: Los Angeles to New York

The Whitaker family's move from Los Angeles to New York City coincided with Bill’s rise to the top echelon of broadcast journalism at *60 Minutes* in 2014. They lived in Los Angeles for many years while Whitaker worked as the CBS News correspondent there, and it was in L.A. that his children attended and graduated from high school. This period provided a stable, private environment for them to grow up before their father's national profile exploded. The current move to an apartment overlooking Central Park in Harlem, New York, signifies a new chapter, but the dedication to privacy remains the same.

Terry Whitaker: The Anchor of the Family

Bill Whitaker consistently credits his wife, Terry Whitaker, for being the bedrock of his personal life, especially given the demands of his career, which often requires him to travel to dangerous or remote locations. The couple's marriage has lasted for almost four decades, a remarkable feat in the high-pressure world of celebrity and media. While Terry Whitaker's own profession is not widely publicized, her role as a supportive partner and mother has been instrumental in allowing Bill to focus on his award-winning reporting.

Bill Whitaker's Legacy and The Next Generation

Bill Whitaker's recent honors, such as being named the 2024 UC Berkeley Alumnus of the Year, highlight his enduring impact on journalism. This award is not just a recognition of his career but an acknowledgment of the values he embodies: integrity, persistence, and intellectual curiosity. These are the same values that appear to have been instilled in his children. William Whitaker III’s success in finance and Lesley Whitaker’s choice of a private, independent career path demonstrate that the Whitaker children have inherited their father’s drive for excellence, albeit in different fields. They represent a new generation of the family, successfully navigating their own professional lives away from the intense scrutiny that comes with being the child of a media icon. The Whitaker family's story is a compelling example of how a high-profile figure can successfully maintain a private, grounded family life, allowing their children the freedom to define their own success on their own terms.