Debra L. Lee is the former president and CEO of the BET (Black Entertainment Television) networks. She was appointed Chairman and CEO of the BET network. She took over as President of BET Networks in January 2006, following Johnson’s retirement.
In 2018, she announced her retirement. She began her career with Black Entertainment Television networks in 1986 as the Vice President of BET Networks. She is able to have a successful career because she is dedicated to her work.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Debra Lee |
| Real Name/Full Name: | Debra L. Lee |
| Gender: | Female |
| Age: | 70 years old |
| Birth Date: | 8 August 1954 |
| Birth Place: | Fort Jackson, South Carolina, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 155 cm |
| Weight: | 57 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Divorced |
| Husband/Spouse (Name): | Randall Coleman (1985 to 1987) |
| Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | Yes (Ava Coleman and Quinn Coleman) |
| Dating/Boyfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Is Debra Lee Lesbian?: | No |
| Profession: | Businesswomen |
| Salary: | $5 million |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $35 million |
Debra Lee Biography
Debra Lee was born on August 8, 1954, in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, USA. Delma L. Lee is her mother’s name, and Richard M. Lee is her father’s. She was the youngest of her parents’ three children, with two older siblings.
Her father worked on Army tanks, and her mother was a hospital clerk. So her father spent a lot of time with the family, but Debra revealed in an interview that her father never restricted her because she was a girl. Her family was extremely supportive, particularly her father.
Debra earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Brown University in order to pursue a career as a journalist. In 1980, she graduated from Harvard University with dual degrees in Law and Public Policy.
Debra Lee Age, Height, Weight
Debra Lee was born on August 8, 1954, and is 70 years old as of 2024. Her height is 155 cm, and she weighs 57 kg.
Debra Lee Career
Debra Lee is a well-known and successful businesswoman in the United States. She is the former President and CEO of Black Entertainment Television (BET). She knew she wanted to be a journalist from a young age, so she attended Harvard University and earned dual degrees in political science.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards for her accomplishments. She was BET’s, Chief Executive Officer. After Johnson’s retirement in 2006, he became a Vice President of the Black Entertainment Television network.
She was appointed Vice President of Legal Affairs at Black Entertainment Television networks in 1986. She was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Entertainment Television networks after ten years.
Later, after Johnson’s retirement in 2005, she took over all of the BET networks’ rights and became CEO of Black Entertainment Television networks in 2006. Her transformation from an ordinary businesswoman to the CEO of a well-known network channel happened in stages.
Debra Lee Achievements and Awards
She received the Women in Film and Video – “Women of Vision Award” in 2002, which is sponsored annually in Columbia by the Women in Film and Television International.
In 2014, she was honored with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Brown University.
In addition, she received the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame’s “Tower of Power Trumpet Award” in 2000. In 2003, she received the National Association of Minorities’ Quasar Award and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association’s Idell Kaitz Vanguard Award.
In 2005, she received two awards for being the best Black businesswoman: the Madame C.J. Walker Award from Ebony Magazine and the Muse Award from New York Women in Film and Television.
Debra Lee’s Net Worth
Debra Lee is a gifted and astute woman. She has made a remarkable career out of her passion and excellence at work. She is a successful businesswoman and former CEO and President of the BET network, which is her primary source of income. Her estimated salary is around $5 million, and her net worth as of March 2024 is around $35 million.
Debra L. Lee is a successful businesswoman and a successful person. Her mother was a hospital clerk, and her father was an Army tank driver. She grew up in a middle-class family. She was the youngest of her two siblings. She is a role model for many women.
Debra Lee’s Husband And Children
Debra Lee was raised in her hometown by her parents. She graduated from Greensboro Dudley High School after finishing her elementary education. She relocated to South East Asia, specifically Malaysia and Thailand, to further her education.
Her astrological sign is Leo. She married Randall Coleman in 1985, but their marriage was short-lived and ended in 1987. At the time of their divorce, the couple had two children, Ava Coleman and Quinn Coleman.
However, she has not revealed much about her personal life, and there is still little known about her family. Her son died on August 16, 2020, at the age of 31.
