Net Worth: C. $5 Million
Age: 50
DOB: 17 October 1973
Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Johanna Griggs is a well-known personality in the Australian television industry. She is also a former competitive swimmer who won a bronze medal for her country at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Since 1993, Griggs has been a part of the Seven Television Network where she initially joined Seven Sport as a host at the Australian Open. She has also gone on to host the network’s coverage of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games and the Melbourne Cup.
Additionally, she has been the host of Better Homes and Gardens and House Rules, endearing herself to a whole new audience outside of sports. During the course of her TV and swimming career she has accrued a net worth of over $5 million.
Early Life and Sporting Beginnings
Griggs grew up in the Sydney suburb of Harbord which is now known as Freshwater.
She developed a passion for sports at an early age and soon found her niche in swimming.
As a teenager, Griggs became a national-level swimmer, competing in various championships across Australia. Her dedication and hard work paid off when she qualified for the Australian swimming team for the Auckland Commonwealth Games of 1990. In qualifying, she displayed the same discipline and perseverance that would later define her television career.
Commonwealth Games
Griggs competed for Australia at the Auckland Commonwealth Games in 1990, where she won a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke event.
Unfortunately, her swimming career was cut short due to chronic fatigue syndrome which she had been battling since the age of 17. Despite attempting a comeback in 1992, the exertion of the attempt caused her to be hospitalised with pleurisy, resulting in her withdrawal from the 1992 Olympic trials.
She made a successful comeback in 1993 for the 50-metre backstroke race at the Australian Swimming Championships, where she recorded the fastest time in the world for the event that year. However, the day after her impressive swim, she announced her retirement from competitive swimming.
Transition to Television
Griggs first venture into television was as the inaugural guest on ABC’s long-standing program, Live and Sweaty. The show featured a segment called the ‘Sporting Hall of Fame’ where sporting guests were asked to donate various body parts. In this segment, Griggs donated her appendix.
In 1992, she appeared on an episode of Home and Away, portraying a Swedish tourist.
Griggs slowly began to establish a successful career in the media industry, becoming a regular panellist on Network Ten’s Beauty and the Beast show in the late 1990s.
Later on, Griggs joined the Seven Network, where she co-hosted Australia’s longest-running sports program, Sportsworld, with Matthew White on Sunday mornings from 2001 to 2006.
Griggs also hosted several seasons of lifestyle shows, including Auction Squad and House Calls to the Rescue. She covered the Australian Open and made history as the first Australian woman to anchor an Olympics (Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics) on her own .
In 2005, she succeeded Noni Hazlehurst as the main presenter of the long-running lifestyle program, Better Homes and Gardens.
In 2009, after occasionally serving as a fill-in presenter for Seven News Sydney weekend sports bulletin, Griggs was appointed as a full-time news presenter, replacing Alex Cullen, who had taken up the weeknight role. However, in November 2010, Griggs surprised many by resigning from Seven News, citing that she wanted to spend more quality time with her nearest and dearest.
Beyond the Screen
Johanna Griggs’ impact extends beyond television screens. Her involvement in charitable endeavours and community work showcases her commitment to making a positive difference.
Griggs has been an ambassador for various organisations, using her platform to raise awareness and support for causes close to her heart. This commitment to social responsibility strengthened her public image while demonstrating that she is not only a television personality but also a compassionate and socially conscious person.
Challenges and Triumphs
Like any successful career, Johanna Griggs’ journey has not been without its challenges. The public scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight, coupled with the demands of a high-profile career, can take a toll on individuals. However, Griggs has navigated these challenges with grace, maintaining a level of authenticity that resonates with audiences.
One notable instance that showcased Griggs’ strength and resilience was her decision to step down as the co-host of “Better Homes and Gardens” in 2019. Her departure was met with an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues alike, highlighting the impact she had made on the show and the Australian television landscape.
Griggs’ decision to prioritise her well-being and family life over career expectations serves as an inspiring example of the importance of self-care and balance.
Legacy and Impact
Johanna Griggs’ legacy in Australian television is firmly established. Her contributions to the industry – from her early days as a professional swimmer to her role as a beloved TV presenter – have left a permanent mark on those who watched and supported her.
Griggs’ ability to connect with audiences, her professionalism and her genuine passion for her work have set a standard for aspiring television personalities to live up to around the world.
Beyond her individual achievements, Griggs has paved the way for women in the media industry. Her success in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as sports commentary, has inspired a new generation of female broadcasters. By breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes, Griggs has contributed to a more inclusive and diverse media landscape.
Personal Life
Griggs spent her childhood in Harbord, a Sydney suburb that was later renamed to Freshwater. She has been married twice, including first time to actor Gary Sweet, between 1994 and 1997, with whom she has two sons.
She married Todd Huggins, a building foreman in 2006 at their Collaroy Plateau home in Sydney. At the age of 44, she became a grandma for the first time.
Griggs received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Sydney’s Macquarie University in 2009.