Who is Dee Forbes? Is Dee Forbes Married?
by Alaguvelan M | Updated Jun 24, 2023
Who is Dee Forbes?
Dee Forbes, a prominent figure in the media industry, served as the Director-General of RTÉ, Ireland's national public service media organization. Appointed in April 2016, she played a significant role in shaping the organization until her suspension by the RTÉ board on 21 June 2023.
Born in Drimoleague, County Cork, Ireland, in 1967, Forbes pursued a degree in history and politics at University College Dublin. She embarked on her media career as an account director at Media Audits, a media consultancy. Later, she joined Discovery Networks Northern Europe, where she held various senior positions, including General Manager for the UK/Ireland and President & Managing Director.
Forbes joined RTÉ in 2016 and assumed the position of Director-General in April of the same year. Notably, she made history as the first woman to hold this role and the first external appointment in nearly 50 years.
During her tenure as Director-General, Forbes implemented significant changes at RTÉ. She spearheaded the introduction of a new digital strategy and successfully launched the streaming service, RTÉ Player. Additionally, she skillfully guided the organization through challenging times, including the financial crisis of 2008 and the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, on 21 June 2023, Forbes faced suspension from her employment at RTÉ. This decision followed an independent review that revealed a "culture of fear" within the organization, citing instances of bullying and harassment. Forbes vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
The future remains uncertain for Dee Forbes. Currently suspended from her position at RTÉ, she may face dismissal from the organization. However, she has expressed her intention to contest the suspension, leaving open the possibility of reinstatement to her role. The outcome of this situation awaits further developments, as both Forbes and RTÉ navigate through this challenging period.
Is Dee Forbes Married?
Dee Forbes' personal life, including her marital status, is not publicly disclosed. There is no available information regarding her being married or having children. Forbes has maintained privacy concerning her personal life and has not made any public statements or records regarding her marital status.
It is worth noting that individuals, especially public figures, may choose to keep their personal lives private. Consequently, it is plausible that Forbes is married but prefers not to discuss her personal life in the public domain. Similarly, it is also possible that she is not married and has chosen not to have children.
Despite the absence of information regarding Forbes' personal life, her professional achievements are noteworthy. Upon joining RTÉ in 2016, she assumed the significant role of Director-General, making history as the first woman in this position and the first external appointment in almost half a century.
During her tenure as Director-General, Forbes spearheaded substantial changes within RTÉ. She led the introduction of a new digital strategy, which included the successful launch of the streaming service, RTÉ Player. Moreover, she displayed adept leadership, guiding the organization through challenging periods such as the financial crisis of 2008 and the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, on 21 June 2023, Forbes faced suspension from her position at RTÉ. This decision followed an independent review that uncovered a "culture of fear" within the organization, highlighting instances of bullying and harassment. Forbes strongly denies any wrongdoing.
The future remains uncertain for Dee Forbes as she navigates the current circumstances. Presently suspended from her role at RTÉ, she may potentially face dismissal from the organization. Nevertheless, Forbes has expressed her intention to contest the suspension, leaving open the possibility of her reinstatement in due course.
Dee Forbes Salary
Dee Forbes received a total salary of €306,000 in 2021 during her tenure as the Director-General of RTÉ. This encompassed a basic salary of €225,000, a car allowance of €25,000, and pension contributions amounting to €56,000.
Forbes' salary as Director-General was the highest among public service broadcasters in Ireland and notably exceeded the salaries of other senior executives within RTÉ.
Criticism has been directed towards Forbes' salary by some individuals who perceive it as excessively high. However, there are others who have defended her compensation, arguing that it aligns with the salaries of senior executives in the media industry.
In 2023, Forbes faced suspension from her position at RTÉ subsequent to an independent review conducted to assess the organization's culture and practices. The review's findings indicated the presence of a "culture of fear" at RTÉ, coupled with instances of bullying and harassment. Forbes has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The future trajectory for Dee Forbes currently remains uncertain. She is presently suspended from her employment at RTÉ, and the possibility of dismissal from the organization exists. Nonetheless, Forbes has expressed her intention to contest the suspension, leaving open the potential for her reinstatement in due course.
In the event of Forbes' reinstatement, it is likely that her salary will remain unchanged. However, there is also the possibility that her compensation may undergo a reduction as part of broader efforts to reduce costs at RTÉ.
Dee Forbes Age
Dee Forbes, born on February 1, 1967, is currently 56 years old. She hails from Drimoleague, County Cork, Ireland. Forbes pursued her higher education at University College Dublin, specializing in history and politics. She embarked on her media career as an account director at Media Audits, a renowned media consultancy. Later, she joined Discovery Networks Northern Europe, where she held various esteemed positions, including General Manager for the UK/Ireland operation and President & Managing Director.
Forbes has established herself as an influential Irish media executive, notably serving as the former Director-General of RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann), Ireland's national public broadcaster. Holding this position from 2016 until her recent suspension, Forbes played a pivotal role in the organization. However, her suspension followed a controversy surrounding the misreporting of the salary of one of RTÉ's highest-paid presenters. T
hroughout her career, Forbes has garnered extensive experience working with renowned international media entities such as Discovery Networks, Turner Broadcasting, and MTV Networks International.
In addition to her professional achievements, Forbes has received recognition in the form of numerous awards and accolades, underscoring her significant contributions to the media industry. In 2018, the Irish Independent honored her as one of the Top 50 most influential women in Irish media. She has also been commended for her advocacy of gender equality within the media sphere, actively promoting diversity in leadership positions.
While it was anticipated that Forbes would be leaving her role as Director-General of RTÉ, with the organization actively seeking her successor, her future plans remain undisclosed. Nevertheless, she continues to be a prominent figure in the Irish media landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the industry
Who is Dee Forbes - FAQs
Dee Forbes is an Irish media executive and former Director-General of RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann), Ireland's national public broadcaster.
Dee Forbes is known for her significant contributions to the media industry, particularly for her role as the Director-General of RTÉ.
Prior to joining RTÉ, Dee Forbes held senior positions in notable media organizations such as Discovery Networks Northern Europe, Turner Broadcasting, and MTV Networks International.
Dee Forbes has been honored with various awards and accolades, including being named one of the Top 50 most influential women in Irish media by the Irish Independent.
Dee Forbes was suspended from her position at RTÉ following a controversy surrounding the misreporting of the salary of one of RTÉ's highest-paid presenters.