Kerri-Anne Kennerley

Kerri-Anne Kennerley is a legendary Australian television personality, media veteran, entertainer, author, and advocate, whose career has spanned over 50 years. Known affectionately as KAK, she made her first television appearance as a child actor in 1967 and has been a constant presence in Australian homes ever since. Widely regarded as the “Queen of Daytime TV,” Kerri-Anne has become one of Australia’s most experienced, respected, and popular light entertainment hosts.

Kerri-Anne’s career began on the New York cabaret circuit as a 19-year-old singer before she returned to Australia in 1981 to take on her first adult television role in the long-running drama The Restless Years. She also continued performing as a singer, releasing two albums in the 1980s. Her breakthrough in broadcasting came when she joined Network Ten to host the breakfast program Good Morning Australia, which she presented for 11 years, turning it into the country’s number one breakfast show.

She then moved to the Nine Network, becoming the first woman to host the prestigious daytime variety program Midday with Kerri-Anne from 1996 to 1998. Over her career, Kerri-Anne has hosted multiple programs, including Greed, Moment of Truth, Kerri-Anne, and prime-time Foxtel specials such as Behind Mansion Walls. She has been a guest reporter on Sunday Night, a fill-in presenter for The Morning Show, and held regular spots on The Project and Sunrise.

Kerri-Anne has been at the forefront of television journalism and entertainment, earning three Gold Logie nominations and, in 2017, induction into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame—only the third woman in history to receive this honour. She has interviewed countless public figures, world leaders, and celebrities, and is celebrated for her professionalism, warmth, quick wit, and her ability to handle challenging or awkward situations with grace and humour.

Beyond television, Kerri-Anne is an accomplished author, with titles including A Bold Life, Life Energy, and People I’ve Met, Places I’ve Been. She is a passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness as an ambassador for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and a committed community and sport supporter, including serving on the Council of the Order of Australia and the board of Golf Australia.

Kerri-Anne has faced personal challenges with remarkable resilience. In 2012, she successfully battled breast cancer, and in 2016, supported her husband John following a severe injury that left him quadriplegic. She balances her professional life with her roles as a wife and mother, demonstrating grace, perseverance, and dedication in both her personal and public life.

Renowned for her enduring charm, glamour, and infectious energy, Kerri-Anne Kennerley remains one of Australia’s most beloved and inspiring media figures, with a career and life story that continues to captivate and motivate audiences across generations.