Belinda Jensen spent more than three decades becoming one of the most recognizable weather personalities in Minnesota. Her familiar presence on KARE 11, clear forecasts, and interest in science made her much more than a television meteorologist.
After retiring from regular KARE 11 work in 2026, interest in her career has continued to grow. Many people now want to know about her earnings, age, family, education, career journey, and what she is doing after television.
Salary information is especially interesting because Jensen held a senior role at a major local station for many years. However, online figures are not always official. Some websites publish estimates without showing employment records or contracts.
This article separates reported figures from confirmed facts and looks at the career that made Jensen a familiar name to Twin Cities viewers.
Belinda Jensen Salary: What Is the Reported Figure?
The exact amount Jensen received from KARE 11 has not been publicly confirmed through an official salary record.
FamousIntel currently lists an annual figure of $89,500 for Jensen. However, that number comes from a third-party biography site. It is not accompanied by an official KARE 11 document or a public statement from Jensen confirming the amount.
For that reason, the $89,500 figure should be treated as an online estimate rather than a verified salary.
This distinction is important when discussing the earnings of television personalities. A meteorologist’s compensation can depend on experience, market size, seniority, contract negotiations, additional appearances, and other professional responsibilities.
Jensen was not an entry-level weather presenter during most of her career. She eventually became KARE 11’s chief meteorologist and remained in that position for more than two decades.
Therefore, her total professional income may have involved more than a basic salary. Without access to her private contracts or financial records, however, it would be misleading to give an exact figure as fact.
Why Online Salary Figures Can Differ
Television salaries are often difficult to verify because employment contracts are generally private.
Two meteorologists working in different markets can have very different compensation. Even at the same station, earnings may change as a broadcaster gains experience or takes on additional responsibilities.
Jensen’s long tenure is particularly relevant. She joined KARE 11 full-time in 1993 and later became chief meteorologist in 2005. She remained with the station for about 33 years.
That career history shows why a simple online number should not be treated as a complete picture of her earnings.
Belinda Jensen at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Belinda Jensen |
| Profession | Meteorologist and author |
| Best known for | KARE 11 |
| Birth date | July 22, 1969 |
| Age in September 2026 | 57 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Degree | B.S. in Meteorology |
| KARE 11 full-time start | 1993 |
| Chief meteorologist | 2005–2026 |
| Retirement | May 2026 |
| Husband | David |
| Children | Tanner and Tori |
Some biographical websites contain conflicting details, so the table focuses on information supported by established reporting and consistent biographical sources. Her July 22, 1969 birth date is reported by multiple biography sources, while current reporting confirms her retirement in 2026.
Who Is Belinda Jensen?
Belinda Jensen is an American broadcast meteorologist who became closely associated with KARE 11 in Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Her interest in weather developed from an early love of science and the outdoors. She grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin, near the St. Croix River, and has described her childhood as an important influence on her connection with nature.
During high school, Jensen interviewed meteorologist Paul Douglas for a school project. That meeting became an interesting turning point because Douglas later became her mentor during her KARE 11 internship.
Instead of following a simple path into television, Jensen built her career through education, internships, and work in different parts of the weather industry.
That background eventually led her back to Minnesota, where she established a long-term career.
Education and Early Meteorology Career
Jensen studied meteorology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Her education helped give her the scientific foundation needed for professional weather forecasting. She also completed graduate work related to secondary education at the University of Utah.
Before becoming a familiar face in Minnesota, Jensen gained professional experience in Utah. She worked with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City and also worked at KTVX, an ABC affiliate.
Those experiences were valuable because they combined atmospheric science with practical broadcasting.
Her career also shows why education mattered so much to her. She eventually became known not only for delivering forecasts but also for explaining weather and science to children and families.
How She Built Her KARE 11 Career
Jensen’s connection with KARE 11 began as an internship.
She eventually returned to the station as a full-time meteorologist in September 1993. From there, her responsibilities grew steadily.
In December 2005, she became chief meteorologist. She held that position for approximately 21 years before retiring in 2026.
Over the years, her work extended beyond daily forecasts. She appeared on KARE 11 programs and became associated with gardening, outdoor features, and science education.
Her long tenure also gave her something that cannot easily be measured by job titles: familiarity with generations of local viewers.
People watched her during ordinary weather days as well as major Minnesota storms. That consistency helped turn her into a trusted local television personality.
Why Was She So Popular With Viewers?
One reason was her ability to make complicated information easier to understand.
Weather can involve technical concepts, changing conditions, and unfamiliar scientific terms. Jensen developed a style that made those subjects more approachable for everyday viewers.
Her personality also played a role.
In a 2025 interview, Jensen discussed the importance of being genuine on television rather than creating a completely artificial personality for the audience. She also spoke about her interest in encouraging children to explore science and STEM subjects.
That combination of knowledge and personality helped her build a connection with viewers over many years.
Her Work Beyond Weather Forecasts
Jensen’s professional identity was not limited to television forecasting.
She became involved in science education and children’s publishing. Her Bel the Weather Girl book series was designed to help young readers understand weather in an approachable way.
The educational side of her work is significant because it reflects the same goal she had on television: making science easier for ordinary people to understand.
She has also taken part in community activities and public speaking. These projects allowed her to use her experience outside the traditional television newsroom.
As a result, her career developed into a mix of broadcasting, education, writing, and community engagement.
Retirement From KARE 11
Jensen announced her retirement from KARE 11 in February 2026 after approximately 33 years with the station.
Axios reported that her final regular appearance was scheduled for May 2, while also noting that she would occasionally contribute to KARE 11’s Saturday programming later in the year.
BringMeTheNews also reported that she had spent the final 21 years of her KARE 11 career as chief meteorologist.
Her departure was a major moment for the station because she had been part of its identity for so long.
It was also a personal transition. Jensen had spoken about becoming an empty nester and wanting to spend more time on other interests, including travel, speaking, science education, and writing.
What Is She Doing After Television?
Retirement has not meant that Jensen has completely stepped away from professional activities.
She has continued to explore projects related to speaking, writing, science education, and community work.
Another post-television opportunity has involved Kowalski’s Markets, where she has been described as a brand ambassador. She is also listed professionally as an author and speaker.
These activities fit naturally with her previous career.
Instead of starting an entirely different professional life, Jensen can now focus on areas she has already developed through years of broadcasting.
Belinda Jensen Age and Birth Date
Belinda Jensen was born on July 22, 1969.
Because the current date is September 2026, she is 57 years old. A 2025 profile from The Catholic Spirit described her as 56 while discussing her plans for retirement, which is consistent with her July birthday.
She grew up in Prescott, Wisconsin, where her childhood connection with the outdoors helped influence her later interest in meteorology.
Her professional journey began decades ago, making her retirement especially notable. By the time she left KARE 11, she had spent roughly 33 years with the station.
Belinda Jensen Husband and Children
Jensen is married to David, and biographical sources identify the couple as parents of two children, Tanner and Tori.
She has generally kept her family life more private than her professional career.
Still, family played a role in her retirement decision. In her 2025 interview with The Catholic Spirit, she discussed major milestones involving her children and described plans for a new stage of life.
Her decision therefore was not simply about leaving a television job. It also reflected changes happening within her family and personal life.
Does Belinda Jensen Have a Net Worth Estimate?
Several websites publish estimates of Jensen’s net worth, but there is no public financial statement that establishes an exact amount.
FamousIntel currently gives an estimate of $2 million, but this should be treated as an online estimate rather than a confirmed financial figure.
Net worth calculations on biography websites often combine estimated earnings with assumptions about property, investments, savings, and other income.
Without verified financial records, it is not possible to know the exact value of someone’s private assets.
What can be established is that Jensen enjoyed a long broadcasting career, held a senior position at KARE 11, wrote books, and developed additional professional opportunities.
Why Her Career Still Matters
Jensen’s career stands out because of its unusual longevity.
She did not simply appear on television for a few years and move on. She remained connected with the same station for roughly 33 years, eventually becoming its chief meteorologist.
Her story also demonstrates how a meteorologist can build a broader public profile.
Through broadcasting, children’s books, science education, gardening content, public speaking, and community work, Jensen created a career that extended well beyond daily weather reports.
That may be one reason her retirement attracted so much attention.
For many viewers, she was part of the routine of Minnesota life for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reported annual salary of Belinda Jensen?
FamousIntel lists $89,500 per year, but there is no official public KARE 11 record confirming that amount. It should therefore be treated as an estimate.
Is Belinda Jensen still at KARE 11?
She retired from her regular KARE 11 role in May 2026 after about 33 years with the station. Axios reported that she could still make occasional contributions to the Saturday program.
How old is Belinda Jensen in 2026?
She is 57 years old as of September 2026. Her reported birth date is July 22, 1969.
When did she become KARE 11’s chief meteorologist?
Jensen became chief meteorologist in December 2005 and held the position until her retirement in 2026.
What is Belinda Jensen doing after retirement?
Her post-television interests include speaking, writing, science education, travel, and other professional projects. She has also been associated with Kowalski’s Markets as a brand ambassador.
Final Thoughts
Belinda Jensen’s career is about much more than an estimated paycheck.
She built her professional reputation through science, broadcasting, education, and a long relationship with Minnesota viewers. From her early interest in meteorology to her internship at KARE 11 and eventual position as chief meteorologist, her journey took more than three decades.
The exact amount she earned has never been publicly established. Although $89,500 is currently reported by a third-party biography site, it should not be presented as an official figure.
Her retirement in 2026 closed an important chapter, but it did not erase the work she had already built. Writing, science education, speaking, and community projects give her several ways to remain active.
For viewers who followed her forecasts for years, Jensen’s departure from regular television may feel like the end of an era. For her, however, it appears to be the start of a more flexible chapter built around family, education, travel, and the subjects she has always enjoyed. Click here for more information.