Author of On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker and brand historian for MADAM by Madam C.J. Walker, a line of hair care products developed in association with Walmart and Sundial Brands, A'Lelia Bundles is an inspirational award-winning journalist and author. She is also a former network television executive and producer at ABC News and NBC News.
In addition, Bundles has served on several nonprofit boards, appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, C-Span, NPR, and BBC, and spoken at numerous corporations, book festivals, and women's conferences. Inspiration to some, and a role model to many, A'Lelia Perry Bundles has positively influenced several people's lives and has brought a change in the international arena.
Hence, let's learn more about her personal and professional life in this article, as we believe her life story is worth sharing.
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Comes From An Influential Family Background
The author was born on June 7, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, the U.S. She was raised in Indianapolis by civic-minded business executives. A'Lelia was named after her great-grandmother A'Lelia Walker (1885-1931), a prominent member of the Harlem Renaissance and is the great-great-granddaughter of businesswoman Madam C.J. Walker.
A'Lelia Bundles' mother, A'Lelia Mae Perry Bundles (1928-1976), was a member of the Washington Township School Board, a fiscal administrator for the City of Indianapolis, and vice president of the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. She was also engaged in local and state democratic politics.
Likewise, A'Lelia Bundles' father, S. Henry Bundles Jr. (1927-2019), was the president of Summit Laboratories. He was a longtime director of the Indianapolis 500 Festival and a board member of the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Bureau. On the other hand, Miss Bundles shared a beautiful bond with her father and was a big-time daddy's girl. She was also a proud sister of two brothers, Lance L. Bundles and Mark R. Bundles, who unfortunately passed away.
Furthermore, talking about her educational background, Madam C.J. Walker's great-great-granddaughter attended North Central High School, where she worked as co-editor of the Northern Lights and co-chair and founder of the human relations council and graduated in the top five percent of her class in 1970.
Eventually, in 1974, A'Lelia graduated magna cum laude from Radcliffe College and Harvard College. Later, she attended the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1976 and received a master's degree.
A'Lelia Bundles Net Worth And Career
The American journalist, news producer, and author has worked hard for several years and made a name for herself known worldwide. She has achieved success in everything she has done and accumulated a significant income. Furthermore, A'Lelia Bundles' net worth mainly comprises earnings from her writing and journalism career.
Earnings As A Journalist
A'Lelia worked at ABC News as a producer and executive, holding the positions of deputy bureau chief in Washington, DC; director of talent development in Washington, DC, and New York; producer for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, etc. She also chaired the diversity council that advised ABC News president David Westin.
In addition, before joining ABC News, the Chicago native worked as a producer with NBC News in New York and for NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and The Today Show in Houston and Atlanta bureaus, respectively. Later, in the 1980s, she worked as a producer in Washington for two magazine programs on NBC that Connie Chung and Roger Mudd co-hosted.
At present, tv producers make $66,116 annually on average. Similarly, A'Lelia Bundles' salary from NBC and ABC must have been significant.
Income As An Author
Madam C.J. Walker's great-great-granddaughter's journey as an author is equally inspiring and beautiful, just like her career as a journalist. In 2001, her book, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, was acknowledged as a New York Times Notable Book. In addition, Bundles' piece was also awarded the Letitia Woods Brown Prize for the Best Book on Black Women's History the same year by the Association of Black Women Historians.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon and costs $45.93 for the audio CD version. The physical hardcover copy is priced at $37.00, while the paperback version costs $14.84, excluding the shipping price. Undoubtedly, the book sales significantly must have increased A'Lelia Bundles' net worth as it was well-liked by readers. Similarly, the 2020 Netflix miniseries Self Made, starring Octavia Spencer, was based on the book.
Furthermore, a 1992 American Book Award was given to Bundles' young adult novel Madam C. J. Walker: Entrepreneur by the Before Columbus Foundation. The book costs $35.00 for the Kindle version and $56.93 for the paperback version. Currently, the author's fifth book, The Joy Goddess of Harlem: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, is in progress and is based on the biography of her great-grandmother.
Apart from this, the Harvard graduate holds the position of chair and president of the National Archives Foundation's Board of Directors, in addition to being a trustee of Columbia University. A'Lelia also serves on the National Women's Hall of Fame board, the Harvard Alumni Association nominating committee, the Harvard Club of Washington, DC, and the Radcliffe College Trustees board.
Likewise, from 1999 to 2001, the award-winning author served as the Radcliffe College Alumnae Association's president. In 2006, she also chaired her alma mater's alumni advisory group, which was dedicated to reforming the school's alumni association.
You might also be interested to read about Alisyn Camerota, an equally inspiring journalist and author.
Is A'Lelia Bundles Married?
The former tv producer's marital relationship has always been a discussed topic in America. So, what is the answer to the question, 'Is A'Lelia Bundles married?,' let's find out.
Although she is a very successful personality who has done exceptionally well during her career, Bundles has kept her personal life away from the spotlight. Many might already be aware that her parents had an enduring and thriving marriage; they were married for several years. Hence, there are chances that the former ABC executive is also looking for a love like that or is trying to maintain the identity of her husband secret.
A'Lelia Bundles has successfully kept her personal life under cover. Image Source: A'Lelia Bundles Instagram.
In addition, A'Lelia has hardly ever been seen associated with men who look like her potential partner. Nonetheless, we hope she will be vocal and upfront regarding her personal life in the coming days as several fans are curious to know about A'Lelia Bundles' husband.
In essence, A'Lelia is a strong, inspiring, and successful woman who has been an inspiration to many people worldwide. She is a talented author, engaging public speaker, and media personality who brings intelligence, humor, and warmth in everything she does. We hope the American journalist is living a happy life and is healthy. Our best wishes go along her way.
Trivia And Facts
- She was inducted into Harvard's Phi Beta Kappa society.
- Bundles has an active presence on social media platforms, with over 9K followers on Instagram.
- The journalist has participated in writing residencies at Yaddo and the MacDowell Colony and has received an Emmy and a du Pont Gold Baton.
- She partnered with Walmart to launch a hairline that reflects the values and quality of her great-great grandmother's original products.
