April 5, 2005, Amelia Island, Florida, United States
Spouse
Randall Coleman, Randall Coleman
Fact
Chairman and chief executive officer of Black Entertainment Television (BET).
Debra L. Lee is an American businesswoman and the current Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, a position she has held since 2006. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Walt Disney Company.
Lee was born in 1957 in Augusta, Georgia, and grew up in a military family. Her father was a career Air Force officer and her mother was a homemaker. She has two older sisters. Lee graduated from high school in 1975 and then attended Harvard College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in economics in 1979.
After graduation, Lee began her career as a lawyer, working for the Washington, D.C. law firm of Steptoe & Johnson. She later worked as an assistant district attorney in New York City. In 1986, she joined BET as Vice President and General Counsel. She was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 1996, and then to Chairman and CEO in 2006.
Under Lee’s leadership, BET has become one of the most successful cable networks in the United States. It is available in over 90 million homes and reaches over 80% of African American households. BET also operates BET Her, a 24-hour cable network targeting African American women, and BET Gospel, a 24-hour cable network featuring gospel music and programming.
Lee has been recognized for her business accomplishments with numerous awards and honors. In 2010, she was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. In 2015, she received the NAACP President’s Award. And in 2017, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.
Lee is married to Stanley E. Grayson, a former New York City Councilman and current managing director at investment bank Lazard Frères & Co. They have two children.
Lee has an estimated net worth of $200 million.
General Info
Full Name
Debra L. Lee
Net Worth
$5.5 million, $5.5 million
Date Of Birth
August 8, 1955
Died
April 5, 2005, Amelia Island, Florida, United States
Profession
Businessperson, Businessperson
Education
Harvard University, Harvard Law School, Brown University, Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Brown University
Nationality
American, American
Family
Spouse
Randall Coleman, Randall Coleman
Children
Ava Coleman, Quinn Coleman, Ava Coleman, Quinn Coleman
Accomplishments
Movies
Police Academy 3: Back in Training, Police Academy, American Graffiti, Just Tell Me You Love Me