How Do Out Come Back From Personal Disaster?

Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson had it all — fame, family, a job she loved. After being shockingly fired, she vowed to rebuild, help her family heal — and fight to protect other women from what happened to her.

Photographs: Douglas Friedman

NEVER GIVE UP. 

I’ve had fire in my belly ever since I can remember. I’ve always pushed myself to accomplish goals, and to do that, you need to have a steely side. Maybe it’s because I’m short and blond, but people have really underestimated me. They don’t know the real Gretchen if they don’t know my badass side, but it’s what’s gotten me through many of the trials in my life. I think more people know it now.

EMBRACE YOUR AGE. 

I’ve reinvented myself many times in my life. I thought I’d become a concert violinist but burned out at 17. I thought I’d go to law school but became Miss America. Early on, I had to reboot my [TV] career after a year out of work and move 2,000 miles away to take a job with lower pay. As women, we are trained to think hitting 50 is a negative, but I decided to make some bold moves. After having been fired from Fox last summer, I’m writing another book, going on the speaking circuit and starting a fund to empower young girls and women.

REACH OUT TO OTHER WOMEN.