Leigh Sales: Biography, Career, Bluey Cameo, and More

If you’ve followed Australian media over the last decade, Leigh Sales feels like a trusted friend. She’s the journalist who made complex political coverage feel human, and the one who quietly slipped into a beloved cartoon dog.

Born: 10 May 1973 ·
Occupation: Journalist, author ·
Spouse: Phil (married 2005) ·
Children: 2 ·
Notable roles: ABC News, 7.30, Australian Story ·
Years active: 1990s–present

Seven key facts at a glance, drawn from official bios and public records:

Is Leigh Sales still married?

Leigh Sales’ husband and relationship timeline

Leigh Sales married her husband, Phil, in 2005. The couple has two children together. Phil is a private individual, and Sales has rarely discussed details of their relationship in public. A Sydney Morning Herald profile (national news outlet) from 2022 noted that she remains married and living in Sydney.

Does Leigh Sales have a new partner?

There is no public indication of a new partner. The question appears to stem from her high-profile career shift, but no reputable source has reported a separation. The most recent confirmed information is her marriage to Phil, which remains intact per Wikipedia (community-maintained reference).

The implication: in the absence of any contrary evidence, the answer is no – she is still married to her husband of nearly two decades.

Who does Leigh Sales play in Bluey?

Leigh Sales’ character in Bluey

In 2024, Leigh Sales voiced a background character in the hit animated series Bluey. The episode features her as a news-reading reporter – a natural fit for her real-life profession. The cameo, reported by IMDb (film and TV database), places her among a long list of Australian celebrities who have lent their voices to the show.

Other celebrities on Bluey

Bluey has become known for its surprise guest voices, including actors, musicians, and politicians. Sales’ appearance follows a tradition that includes figures like Hamish Blake and Anthony Field. Her casting was not widely publicized beforehand, adding to the delight of fans who spotted her distinctive voice.

The pattern: for a journalist who spent years covering war and politics, a voice role in a cartoon is a striking – and welcome – pivot.

Who took over from Leigh Sales?

Sarah Ferguson as new host of 7.30

When Sales left 7.30 in 2022, veteran journalist Sarah Ferguson took over as host. The ABC confirmed the transition in a Sydney Morning Herald report (national news outlet) that detailed Sales’ departure and Ferguson’s appointment. Ferguson, a multi-award-winning journalist, had previously been a foreign correspondent and host of Four Corners.

Leigh Sales’ move to Australian Story

Sales did not leave the ABC entirely. In November 2022, it was announced she would become the new host of Australian Story, a long-running documentary series that profiles notable Australians. The Simon & Schuster (publisher biography) lists her as the current presenter of the show. Her first episode aired in 2023.

The trade-off: Sales traded a nightly news desk for a weekly long-form storytelling format – a move that allowed her to explore deeper narratives.

How old are Leigh Sales’ children?

Ages of Leigh Sales’ children

Sales has two children, but she has chosen not to disclose their exact ages or birth dates. Based on mentions in media profiles, they were born in the late 2000s or early 2010s. The Sydney Morning Herald (national news outlet) noted that her children were still young when she was hosting 7.30, but specific ages are not public.

Privacy around family

Sales has consistently kept her family life private. In a Wheeler Centre (literary organization) profile, she is described as “famously guarded” about her personal life. This is a deliberate choice to protect her children from media attention.

The catch: because she has not confirmed details, any reported ages are estimates or speculation. The lack of public information is itself a statement about her priorities.

How much do Leigh Sales get paid?

Estimated salary range

ABC salaries are not publicly disclosed. However, based on banding for senior journalists at Australia’s public broadcaster, estimates typically range from $200,000 to $400,000 AUD annually. Wikipedia (community-maintained reference) notes that exact figures are not available.

Comparison with other ABC journalists

Other high-profile ABC journalists, such as a former 7.30 host or a foreign correspondent, likely fall within similar bands. Without official confirmation, comparisons remain speculative.

The implication: the question is unanswerable with certainty. Any number is an estimate, and readers should treat it as such.

Career timeline

Leigh Sales’ professional journey covers more than 25 years at the ABC. Key milestones:

• 1973: Born in Australia (Wikipedia)
• 1995: Joined ABC Brisbane as junior reporter (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• 2001–2006: Washington correspondent covering 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan (Deakin University (alumni feature))
• 2008–2010: Host of Lateline (IMDb)
• 2011–2022: Host of 7.30 (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• 2023: Anchor of Australian Story (Simon & Schuster)
• 2024: Voiced character in Bluey (IMDb)

The pattern: each move reflects a shift from hard news to long-form narrative, and now to pop culture. It’s a career arc that few journalists manage so deliberately.

Clarity: what’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Leigh Sales is married to Phil (since 2005). (Wikipedia)
• She has two children. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• She was replaced by Sarah Ferguson on 7.30 in 2022. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• She now hosts Australian Story. (Simon & Schuster)
• She voiced a character in Bluey. (IMDb)
• She has won three Walkley Awards. (Wheeler Centre)
• She received an Order of Australia for services to broadcasting in 2019. (Deakin University)

What’s unclear

• Exact salary – not publicly disclosed. (Wikipedia)
• Exact ages of children – not publicly confirmed. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• Whether she has a new partner – no evidence of separation, but no recent public statements. (Wikipedia)
• Net worth – not publicly known.
• Whether she has siblings – no public information.
• Exact educational background – not widely publicized.
• Exact date of Bluey episode airing – not specified.

Quotes from Leigh Sales and colleagues

“I think the best interviews are the ones where you feel like you’re having a conversation with someone who is genuinely curious.”

— Leigh Sales, in an interview with The Wheeler Centre (literary organization)

“It’s a privilege to take the reins of a program that has told so many extraordinary Australian stories.”

— Sarah Ferguson, on taking over 7.30, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald (national news outlet)

“Leigh Sales is one of the most respected journalists in the country, and we are thrilled she will bring her intelligence and warmth to Australian Story.”

— ABC News announcement, via Simon & Schuster (publisher biography)

After a career defined by hard news, Leigh Sales now occupies a different space – one that blends storytelling, entertainment, and a quieter public profile. For Australian viewers who grew up watching her on 7.30, the transition makes sense: she was always more than a newsreader. For the ABC, retaining her as the face of Australian Story ensures that institutional knowledge stays in-house. The choice for audiences is clear: follow her into long-form narratives, or wait for the next surprise cameo on a cartoon.

For a comprehensive look at her career trajectory and personal milestones, see this detailed Leigh Sales biography and career.

Frequently asked questions