Cathy Hughes Biography
Radio maven Cathy Hughes was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1947. Beginning her career in radio in 1969, Hughes’ first position was with KOWH, a black radio station in Omaha. Her successes there prompted the Howard University School of Communications to offer her a position as a lecturer and as Assistant to the Dean of Communications.
In 1973, Hughes was named general sales manager to WHUR-FM in Washington, D.C, and by 1975 was hired as the general manager of the station. Under her guidance, WHUR-FM, which had been struggling along with $300,000 in annual sales revenues, increased its annual revenues to more than $3.5 million.
Hughes and her husband at the time, Dewey Hughes, decided they wanted to buy their own radio station in 1979, and after being rejected by thirty-two banks, they found a lender. With their loan, they purchased WOL, a small Washington, D.C. station and Radio One was born. While Hughes wanted a talk format for the station, the bank was pressing for music.
10 Quick Facts About Cathy Hughes
- Name: Catherine Liggins Hughes
- Age: 75 years old as of 2022
- Birthday: 22 April
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Height: 4 feet 9.9 inches (1.47 m)
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Entrepreneur, Radio, Television personality
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Salary: Under review
- Net worth: $460 million
Cathy Hughes Age
Hughes is 75 years old as of 2022, she was born on 22 April 1947, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. She celebrates her birthday on 22 April every year and her birth sign is Taurus.
Cathy Hughes Height
Hughes stands at a height of 4 feet 9.9 inches (1.47 m) tall.
Cathy Hughes Weight
Hughes weighs 80kg.
Cathy Hughes Early Life
Cathy Hughes was born to Helen Jones Woods, a trombonist with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm at Piney Woods School, a private boarding school in Mississippi, and William Alfred Woods, who was the first African-American to earn an accounting degree from Creighton University.
The family lived in the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects while Hughes’ father attended college. Hughes was far from an only child, growing up with a household of siblings. She found her love for music at a very young age, while repeatedly each night laying in bed listening to Everly Brothers and the Platters.
Hughes went to the University of Nebraska Omaha and Creighton University taking Business Administration courses, her father’s alma mater, but was not able to complete and receive a degree, which led to her getting a job as a sales manager at the Howard University’s radio station.
Cathy Hughes Family Blessings
Hughes said the most fulfilling experience in her 50-year career to date has been seeing her son, Alfred, following in the business. He was named president in 1989 and is now CEO.
“I look at the Mays family and the Beasley family, and really see it as a blessing when the next generation embraces your dream and then take it to a higher level,” she said, referring to two other notable American broadcast clans.
“It’s gratifying to see him have the same vision and be even more excited than me about growing the company. I only have one child but I’m so very proud of him,” she said. “I kiddingly tell people that Alfred runs the company, and I run Alfred, and my job is 10 times harder than his.”
Hughes is a philanthropist and supportive of black causes. The Catherine L. Hughes and Alfred C. Liggins III Foundation gave a multi-million dollar gift to Howard University recently. She continues her family’s work and legacy at The Piney Woods School in Piney Woods, Miss., which was established by her grandfather in 1909 and is the largest of only four African-American boarding schools in the country.
Cathy Hughes Net Worth
Hughes’s net worth is $460 million.
Cathy Hughes Career
Cathy Hughes AwardsCathy Hughes has titled many awards. Granted an honorary doctorate from Sojourner Douglass College in Baltimore in 1995. That accomplishment drove Hughes back to school 2 years later. In 1988, she was awarded the first woman to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the twelfth annual ceremony.
following that she was presented the National Action Networks “Keepers of the Dream” award, which is an award that spotlights role models who contribute an honor and contribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.s also a part of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame. Jumping to the year 2000.
Cathy Hughes Personal Life
Hughes was married to Alfred Liggins Jr from 1965 to 1967. Together they had one child, Alfred Liggins III, born on January 30, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska. She got pregnant when she was sixteen and her mom threw her out of her house.
She married Dewey Hughes in 1979 and divorced him in 1987. They had no children together. She lost her home in 1986 when her company, Radio One, was in financial ruin. Hughes and her son lived in WOL and slept on the floor.
Cathy Hughes Awards
Cathy has titled many awards. Granted an honorary doctorate from Sojourner Douglass College in Baltimore in 1995. That accomplishment drove Hughes back to school 2 years later. In 1988, she was awarded the first woman to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the twelfth annual ceremony.
Hughes is also a part of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame. Jumping to the year 2000, She was awarded the First Annual Black History Hall of Fame Award. Following that she was presented the National Action Networks “Keepers of the Dream” award, which is an award that spotlights role models who contribute an honor and contribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.
Cathy Hughes Contacts
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