Leigh Sales is an Australian journalist, author and television presenter best known for her long career with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). She became one of Australia’s most recognisable journalists after spending 12 years as the presenter of the ABC’s flagship current-affairs program 7.30, where she interviewed prime ministers, world leaders, celebrities and other prominent public figures.
Born on May 10, 1973, in Brisbane, Queensland, Leigh Sales began her journalism career in the early 1990s before joining the ABC. Her career later took her to the United States as the ABC’s Washington correspondent, where she covered major international events including the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 US presidential election.
Sales has also established herself as a successful author and podcaster. She has written several books, including the bestselling Any Ordinary Day, and co-hosts the popular podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 with fellow journalist Annabel Crabb. Since 2023, she has hosted the ABC documentary program Australian Story, continuing her prominent role in Australian television journalism.
Leigh Sales Early Life
Leigh Peta Sales was born on May 10, 1973, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She grew up in Brisbane and attended Aspley State High School, where she developed an interest in current affairs and communication.
Sales became interested in journalism while she was young and eventually decided to pursue it professionally. Her early career began in Queensland, where she worked in television before establishing herself as a serious journalist.
She began her reporting career with Channel Nine in Queensland in 1993. Her early experience in commercial television provided the foundation for a career that would eventually take her from local reporting to international journalism and one of Australia’s most prestigious television presenting positions.
Leigh Sales Education
Leigh Sales attended Aspley State High School in Brisbane before pursuing higher education. Her academic interests eventually led her toward journalism and communications.
She studied at the Queensland University of Technology, where she completed a Bachelor of Business with a major in journalism. She graduated in 1994, giving her a formal foundation in both journalism and business.
Sales later completed a Master of International Relations at Deakin University. Her combination of journalism and international-relations education proved particularly valuable during her years covering Australian politics, international affairs and national security.
Leigh Sales Career
Leigh Sales began her professional journalism career in Queensland in 1993 with Channel Nine. She joined the ABC in 1995 and gradually progressed through increasingly prominent reporting and presenting roles.
From 2001 to 2006, Sales served as the ABC’s Washington correspondent. During this period, she covered some of the most significant international stories of the early 21st century, including the aftermath of September 11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the 2004 United States presidential election and Hurricane Katrina.
After returning to Australia, Sales became the ABC’s National Security Correspondent and later presented Lateline from 2008 to 2010. Her experience in international reporting and current affairs helped establish her reputation as one of Australia’s leading political journalists.
Sales became the presenter of 7.30 in 2011, succeeding Kerry O’Brien. She remained at the helm of the program for 12 years, conducting high-profile interviews with Australian prime ministers, politicians, international leaders and major cultural figures. Her interviews included conversations with Hillary Clinton, Boris Johnson, Benjamin Netanyahu, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Harrison Ford and many other prominent personalities.
During her time at 7.30, Sales became known for her calm interviewing style, rigorous questioning and ability to handle high-pressure live television. She also became a major figure in Australian election coverage and other major national events.
Sales announced her departure from 7.30 in 2022 and presented her final episode in June that year. In 2023, she returned to ABC television as the host of Australian Story, the long-running documentary program.
Alongside television journalism, Sales has built a successful career as an author. Her books include Detainee 002: The Case of David Hicks, On Doubt, Any Ordinary Day, Well Hello and Storytellers: Questions, Answers & the Craft of Journalism. Her 2018 book Any Ordinary Day became a national bestseller and won her a Walkley Award.
Sales also co-hosts Chat 10 Looks 3 with Annabel Crabb. The podcast covers subjects including television, movies, books, music, food and everyday life and has developed a large Australian audience.
Leigh Sales Trending: Why Is Leigh Sales Trending?
Leigh Sales continues to attract attention because of her prominent role in Australian journalism and television. Her transition from 7.30 to Australian Story has kept her highly visible within the Australian media industry.
Her long career also generates continued interest because she has interviewed numerous Australian prime ministers and some of the world’s most influential political and cultural figures. Her work has made her one of the most recognisable faces of Australian public-service journalism.
Sales also remains popular through her books, podcasting and appearances on television. Her candid discussions about journalism, motherhood, grief, career pressure and life outside the newsroom have given audiences a more personal understanding of the journalist behind the television screen.
Leigh Sales Personal Life
Leigh Sales was previously married to Phil Willis, and the couple have two sons. Sales has generally maintained a degree of privacy around her family life, although she has occasionally discussed the challenges of balancing motherhood with an exceptionally demanding journalism career.
Her two sons are an important part of her personal life, and Sales has spoken publicly about parenting and the difficulties of maintaining family time while working in high-pressure television journalism.
Sales has also developed a close friendship and professional partnership with fellow Australian journalist Annabel Crabb. Their friendship led to the creation of Chat 10 Looks 3, which became a major podcast success and expanded Sales’ public profile beyond traditional news and current affairs.
Leigh Sales Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Leigh Sales was born on May 10, 1973, making her 53 years old in 2026. She was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and is an Australian journalist, author and television presenter.
Sales’ specific religious affiliation has not been reliably established as a significant part of her public identity. Her public career has focused primarily on journalism, politics, current affairs, literature and broadcasting rather than religion.
Her exact height is not consistently documented in authoritative public sources. Sales has a distinctive professional television appearance and is widely recognised for her composed presentation style, expressive facial features and polished on-air presence.
Leigh Sales Social Media Presence
Leigh Sales maintains a public presence across social-media platforms where she discusses journalism, books, television, podcasting and aspects of her professional life.
Her social-media presence has also allowed her to connect with audiences beyond her television work, particularly listeners of Chat 10 Looks 3 and readers of her books.
Her Instagram account is associated with the handle @leighsales, where she shares updates relating to her professional projects, media appearances and personal interests.
Leigh Sales Net Worth
Leigh Sales’ exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Her income has been generated through a long career in Australian television and journalism, as well as her work as an author, podcast host and public speaker.
Her decades-long association with the ABC, including 12 years as the presenter of 7.30, represents the most significant part of her professional career. Her bestselling books and successful podcast have also created additional sources of income and strengthened her position in the Australian media industry.
Based on her lengthy career as a senior television journalist, author, presenter and podcast host, Leigh Sales’ net worth could reasonably be estimated at around $3 million to $6 million. This is an estimate rather than a publicly confirmed figure, as her personal assets, investments and earnings are private.
Leigh Sales Legacy
Leigh Sales’ legacy is strongly connected to her contribution to Australian television journalism. Her 12-year tenure as presenter of 7.30 made her one of the most recognisable current-affairs journalists in the country.
Her interviewing style and ability to handle difficult political and international stories helped establish her reputation for professionalism and composure. She interviewed Australian prime ministers as well as international leaders and major cultural figures, giving her career an unusually broad range.
Beyond television, Sales has created a lasting literary and podcasting legacy. Her books, particularly Any Ordinary Day, demonstrated her ability to tell deeply personal stories beyond the traditional news format, while Chat 10 Looks 3 showed her ability to connect with audiences through a more informal and personal style of communication.
Conclusion
Leigh Sales is one of Australia’s most respected journalists, authors and television presenters. From beginning her career in Queensland television to becoming an international correspondent, Lateline presenter and long-serving host of 7.30, she has built an influential career spanning more than three decades. Her work on Australian Story, bestselling books and Chat 10 Looks 3 have further expanded her influence, while her reputation for rigorous interviewing and thoughtful storytelling has established her as an important figure in Australian journalism.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leigh Sales
Who is Leigh Sales?
Leigh Sales is an Australian journalist, author and television presenter best known for hosting the ABC’s 7.30 for 12 years and later becoming the host of Australian Story.
How old is Leigh Sales?
Leigh Sales is 53 years old in 2026. She was born on May 10, 1973.
Where was Leigh Sales born?
Leigh Sales was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
What is Leigh Sales famous for?
Leigh Sales is famous for her career with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, particularly her 12-year tenure as presenter of 7.30.
What does Leigh Sales do now?
Leigh Sales currently hosts Australian Story, the ABC’s long-running documentary program. She also writes books and co-hosts the podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 with Annabel Crabb.
When did Leigh Sales leave 7.30?
Leigh Sales left 7.30 in June 2022 after approximately 12 years as the program’s presenter.
Who replaced Leigh Sales on 7.30?
Sarah Ferguson replaced Leigh Sales as the presenter of 7.30 in 2022.
What show does Leigh Sales host now?
Leigh Sales hosts Australian Story on the ABC. She began hosting the program in 2023.
Is Leigh Sales married?
Leigh Sales was previously married to Phil Willis. They have two sons.
Who is Leigh Sales’ husband?
Leigh Sales’ former husband is Phil Willis. They have two children together.
Does Leigh Sales have children?
Yes. Leigh Sales is the mother of two sons.
Who are Leigh Sales’ children?
Leigh Sales has two sons. She generally keeps their private lives away from the public spotlight.
What is Leigh Sales’ nationality?
Leigh Sales is Australian.
What is Leigh Sales’ religion?
Leigh Sales’ specific religious affiliation has not been reliably established through authoritative public sources.
How tall is Leigh Sales?
Leigh Sales’ exact height is not consistently documented in authoritative public sources.
Where did Leigh Sales go to university?
Leigh Sales studied at the Queensland University of Technology, where she completed a Bachelor of Business with a major in journalism. She later completed a Master of International Relations at Deakin University.
What did Leigh Sales study?
Leigh Sales studied journalism and business at Queensland University of Technology and later completed a Master of International Relations at Deakin University.
When did Leigh Sales join the ABC?
Leigh Sales joined the ABC in 1995, after beginning her journalism career in Queensland with Channel Nine.
Was Leigh Sales a Washington correspondent?
Yes. Leigh Sales served as the ABC’s Washington correspondent from 2001 to 2006, covering major international events and American politics.
What books has Leigh Sales written?
Leigh Sales has written several books, including Detainee 002: The Case of David Hicks, On Doubt, Any Ordinary Day and Storytellers: Questions, Answers & the Craft of Journalism. She also co-wrote Well Hello with Annabel Crabb.
What is Leigh Sales’ most famous book?
One of Leigh Sales’ best-known books is Any Ordinary Day, published in 2018. The book became a national bestseller and won a Walkley Award.
Does Leigh Sales have a podcast?
Yes. Leigh Sales co-hosts Chat 10 Looks 3 with journalist Annabel Crabb. The podcast discusses books, movies, television, music, food and other aspects of popular culture.
Who is Leigh Sales’ podcast partner?
Leigh Sales’ podcast partner is Annabel Crabb, an Australian journalist and television presenter.
What awards has Leigh Sales won?
Leigh Sales has won three Walkley Awards, Australia’s most prestigious journalism awards. She was also appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her services to journalism.
What is Leigh Sales’ Instagram handle?
Leigh Sales’ Instagram handle is @leighsales.
What is Leigh Sales’ net worth?
Leigh Sales’ exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Based on her decades-long career as a senior journalist, television presenter, author and podcast host, her net worth can reasonably be estimated at around $3 million to $6 million.
Why did Leigh Sales leave 7.30?
Leigh Sales left 7.30 in 2022 after 12 years as presenter. She said she believed it was the right time to move on from the demanding nightly current-affairs role and subsequently moved to Australian Story.
What is Leigh Sales’ legacy?
Leigh Sales’ legacy is her contribution to Australian journalism through her work as a reporter, international correspondent, interviewer, author and television presenter. Her 12 years hosting 7.30, international reporting experience, bestselling books and successful podcast have established her as one of Australia’s most prominent journalists.