Fran Kelly is an Australian radio presenter, current affairs journalist and political correspondent who hosted the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Radio National program Breakfast from March 2005 to early December 2021.
15 Facts About Fran Kelly
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Fran Kelly grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, one of six siblings.
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Fran Kelly's mother's name was Margaret Tribe, and her father was Francis Kelly, who was a chiropractor and World War Two veteran.
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Fran Kelly matriculated from St Dominic's Priory College in North Adelaide in 1974 and, after missing out on a cadetship at The Advertiser, a couple of years later went to the University of Adelaide, completing an arts degree and majoring in literature and classics while being involved in the women's movement, theatre and music.
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Fran Kelly then worked as an activities officer, booking bands and organising events, first at Flinders University and then La Trobe University in Melbourne from 1980.
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Fran Kelly has appeared as a panellist and commentator on ABC TV's Insiders, and hosted the show from August to December 2019.
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On 21 October 2021 Fran Kelly announced that she was leaving RN Breakfast, although she would continue to work of the ABC in roles such as covering federal elections, continuing as co-host of the podcast The Party Room, and other future projects.
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Fran Kelly's appointment attracted criticism from a number of newspaper columnists who all opined that the job should have been given to someone much younger.
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In early 2024, Fran Kelly started presenting a podcast called Yours Queerly.
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In 2008 Fran Kelly received a Same Same 25 award, recognising her as one of the country's most influential gay and lesbian Australians.
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Fran Kelly was named by themagazine as one of Sydney's 100 most influential people of 2011, and was described by the Australian electronic magazine Crikey as "one of the most influential media players in the country" in the same year.
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Fran Kelly is a feminist, and stated in a 2012 interview that she's identified as such since her school years.
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In 2007, Fran Kelly launched the Australian Human Rights Commission's "Same-Sex: Same Entitlements" inquiry.
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Fran Kelly has been involved with One Just World's speaker forums, moderating a "Women of the World" forum for WOMADelaide and speaking on the "Stand Up Against Poverty" forum in 2009.
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Fran Kelly is step-parent to Frith's three children from a previous relationship.