Sunday, June 17 is Father’s Day. We asked our Fox News anchors and contributors to share the best advice they ever got from their fathers:
Neil Cavuto, senior vice president of Business News and host of "Your World With Neil Cavuto"
The best advice my dad ever gave me was one on humility. Shocking as it might be for some to believe, I was not the best student for a while there. In fact, my grades were so bad, all my Dad would ask is, "Neil, could you try next semester to get a number "in front" of the decimal point" in your grade point average? He would never be alarmed though, seemingly confident that, in time, I'd do OK. Sure enough, as I got my act together and started assembling a career in adult life, he'd come back to remind me, "Remember, son, stay humble. In your case it will come in handy."
Gretchen Carlson, co-host, "Fox and Friends"
There is NO ONE in this world who does not LOVE my dad. He lived in the same town in Minnesota most of his life (Anoka) and his family opened a car dealership there in 1919. It’s currently the oldest privately held business in the entire state. Why? Because my father is a “one of a kind” kind of guy. My dad is not only a great businessman; he’s also a great man…involved for years in supporting his community by serving on boards, giving to charity and remaining active in his church. Best of all, my dad gets along with everyone because of his amazing disposition with people. My dad just makes everyone feel comfortable and most importantly he makes everyone laugh.
It’s fitting then, and ironic at the same time, that the best piece of advice my dad ever gave me has to do with being liked. It came after winning the Miss America pageant when I faced much criticism from columnists, activists and others about not being smart, etc. It continued when I first started out in the TV world where I would face comments like, “Oh great, I hear that Miss America bimbo (who was valedictorian and graduated from Stanford University) is coming to work here!” I just couldn’t understand why people would be so cruel without even knowing me. But then my dad simply said, “Gretchen, no matter how hard you try, you will never make everyone like you.” My dad’s advice is still so true today. You try the best you can, you try to show people who you are, and if it doesn’t work, it’s ok. That, from a man whom EVERYONE loves. Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you.
Bill Hemmer, co-anchor, "America's Newsroom"
No one has ever given me better advice. Period. And Dad’s never been wrong.
John Stossel, host of "Stossel" on the Fox Business Network
My father’s advice for life: “Work hard, be lucky, don’t die.” Also, “Work hard or you’ll freeze in the dark!”
Dana Perino, former White House press secretary; co-host, "The Five" and Fox News political analyst
One of my fondest memories was spending time with my dad chewing over the day's news. When I was in third grade, he gave me an assignment to read the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post every day before he got home. I had to choose two articles to discuss before dinner. He would play devil's advocate and get me to think through my feelings, ideas and arguments. He instilled in me when I was very young a great love of current events and public affairs, and that's stayed with me ever since.
Steve Doocy, co-host, "Fox and Friends"
My dad's advice: work hard, raise a good family and try to be happy.
Juan Williams, Fox News Political Analyst, Author
The best advice my dad ever gave me is this: he said, have "no fear with clear" -- don't drink any alcohol that has color in it. Stay away from the whiskeys, bourbon and any hard liquor that has a color. Have your way with vodka, gin, etc. No hangovers! I still follow his advice today.
Andrea Tantaros, co-host "The Five"
The best advice my dad ever gave me was to let people know what you want in life. "People are not mind readers," he used to say. "If you want something, you need to ask for it and go after it. What's the worst thing they can say? No? You won't die."
He was right. Don't wait for opportunities to be dropped in your lap. Make them happen.
Eric Bolling, co-host, "The Five"
John G Bolling... my dad. US Navy turned traveling salesman turned best dad in the world. He was nothing short of the most supportive parent ever. The man never had wealth in monetary terms but was the richest of rich in positivity and happiness. He lit up every room he entered with his infectious smile and corny jokes. But the one line he always said to me in person, on the phone or closing a letter… “Eric, keep pluggin’ away.” Dad, I miss you and I’m pluggin’ away!
Judith Miller, Fox News Contributor, Award-Winning Author
My father was an impresario. He was in the entertainment business but his advice to me was: Don't go into show business.
Jon Scott, anchor "Happening Now"
My dad—a living Horatio Alger story himself—filled my childhood with all kinds of good advice, most of it relating to work. Phrases like, “If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well” and “First we work and then we play” still run through my mind today. Dad knew value of work; he’d started at age 12. He also recognized the importance of a father; his own had abandoned the family, leaving a 12-year old to carry a bricklayer’s hod, desperately trying to support his mother and little brother. History repeats itself. When I was 12, I went to work for him—not mixing mortar and carrying bricks, but mowing the lawn outside his business. Probably the best thing he did for me back then didn’t come as advice, it came in a paycheck. A shrunken paycheck. Dad had lived through tremendous adversity but, through perseverance and hard work, built a successful business career. Nobody handed it to him, and he wasn’t about to hand anything to me or any of my five siblings. So he underpaid me. The minimum wage at the time was $1.35 an hour, as I recall. Dad paid me a buck. When I complained, he had a simple answer: “If you want to make more money, go find a better job.” Those thirty-five cents an hour that I didn’t receive became one of the most valuable lessons of my life.
Thanks, Dad. To all of you men out there, fathers and future fathers—enjoy the tributes you’ve earned on this Father’s Day. Treasure your children. And try to keep your families intact.
Doug Schoen, Fox News Contributor, Pollster, Democratic Strategist, Author
The definition of the gratitude is the lively anticipation of future benefit. AND...Nobody ever lost money taking profits.
Rick Folbaum, Fox News Channel
Probably the best advice I've ever gotten from my dad is to be a gentleman. He never actually said the words, though. He told me by being one himself. I vividly remember going with him to treat elderly residents at a local geriatric facility when I was about 6 and my dad was a young podiatrist, fresh from his residency program. And I’ll never forget how courteous he was – to his patients, their family members, the staff, everyone. I saw how people genuinely enjoyed being around my father and I made a mental note to want to work hard at being that way myself.
Mike Baker, former covert operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, president and co-founder of Diligence LLC
My Pop told me on many occasions, including shortly before he passed away, "...Understand right from wrong and choose the right. Make good decisions." It's simple, and it's what I tell my children regularly. You can't ask for anything more.
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