Gene "Bean" Baxter Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Gene "Bean" Baxter is a British-born radio personality celebrated for his three-decade run on Los Angeles’ morning show that defined alternative radio culture.

Introduction

Gene "Bean" Baxter, born on November 14, 1959, is a radio host and media figure best known for co-hosting the iconic morning show Kevin & Bean Show on Los Angeles’ KROQ‑FM. With an estimated net worth of approximately US $10 million, he has built a career marked by longevity, audience engagement and a pivot into podcasting and media consultancy. 
His relationship life is anchored by his long-running marriage to fashion designer Donna H. Mendivil Baxter (married in 1991).
Often referred to simply as “Bean,” his birthday of November 14 remains a key part of his personal brand.

Quick Facts

From Quiet Beginnings to Morning-Show Icon

Gene “Bean” Baxter’s journey began in Bingley (Bradford), West Yorkshire, England, before his family relocated to the United States during his teenage years.  He attended Bowie High School (Maryland) and briefly studied at the University of Maryland before choosing to pursue broadcasting. 

His big break came when he teamed with Kevin Ryder at KROQ-FM in the late 1980s. Together they launched the “Kevin & Bean” morning show, which premiered with a holiday countdown on December 31, 1989. 
Over the following decades, Bean’s quick wit, ear for pop culture and ability to engage with listeners turned the show into one of Los Angeles’ most enduring radio platforms. In 2015, the duo were inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame—a testament to their broadcast influence.

Defining moments in Gene “Bean” Baxter’s journey include:

• Launching the “Kevin & Bean” show on December 31, 1989 and rapidly building a loyal morning-audience in LA.

• Surviving a controversy over a fake-murder confession segment in the early 1990s which predated their syndication success. 

• Being inducted into the NAB Hall of Fame in 2015 alongside Kevin Ryder. 

• Announcing his departure from the show in early 2019, culminating in his final broadcast on November 7, and pivoting into podcasting and media roles thereafter. 

Through this narrative, Gene “Bean” Baxter has established a legacy not merely as a radio host but as a fixture in American pop-culture radio.

The Core Pillars of Gene “Bean” Baxter’s Wealth Include:

These pillars collectively underpin the estimated US $10 million net worth, though some sources note lower estimates (~US $5 million) — reflecting the challenges of public valuation of media personalities.

Relationships & Family Life

Gene “Bean” Baxter’s personal life reflects the quieter side of a high-energy media career.

He married fashion designer Donna H. Mendivil Baxter in 1991, and the couple have maintained a low-profile but steady partnership throughout his radio and podcasting career.

Key insights into Gene “Bean” Baxter’s relationships and personal life:

• A longstanding marriage beginning in 1991 to Donna H. Mendivil Baxter—linking his media world with fashion design.

• There is no widely publicized information about prior romantic relationships or children, indicating a deliberate effort to protect their private family life.

• The move later in his career back to the UK suggests a focus on family, home life and work-life balance after decades in Los Angeles.

In all, his relationships appear stable, private-oriented and supportive of his broader professional evolution.

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Gene “Bean” Baxter leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Owning a home in Puget Sound (Washington) with a broadcasting setup—reflecting his ability to work remotely even while on major market radio.

• Maintaining interests in music history and pop-culture trivia, leveraging his radio reputation for deep knowledge of Top 40 chart history.

• Engaging in podcasting and the creator economy—supporting his transition off traditional broadcast radio and into digital media.

• Keeping a relatively modest public profile with lifestyle choices indicating a preference for stability over celebrity spectacle—typical among long-serving broadcasters.

While high-value real-estate or exotic asset details are less publicly disclosed, his multi‐decade earnings and pivot into media consulting suggest a diversified lifestyle grounded in media expertise rather than ostentatious luxury.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

When assessing Gene “Bean” Baxter’s net worth, several sources and methodologies are referenced. The most commonly cited figure is around US $10 million, though lower estimates (~US $5 million) appear depending on the source. 

Below is a breakdown of how that figure is assembled:

Analysis:

• The stability of the morning-show tenure (30 years at KROQ) means a solid base income and brand value.

• Transitioning into podcasting and consulting has likely sustained his revenue streams even after leaving broadcast radio.

• The discrepancy between much-cited $10 million and lower $5 million estimates reflect the opacity of private earnings, lack of high-value disclosed sponsor deals and possible reinvestment of earnings.

• Given that most of the capital was earned in broadcast media (which often lacks the upside of tech equity), the figure is consistent with veteran media personalities rather than tech-entrepreneur wealth levels.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Publicly, Gene “Bean” Baxter is regarded as a cornerstone of Los Angeles radio’s alternative-rock morning era. His impact can be seen in several dimensions:

• Industry respect: Over three decades on KROQ, Bean helped define the tone and culture of alternative morning radio in one of the biggest U.S. media markets. His co-hosting role alongside Kevin Ryder is widely referenced as foundational. 

• Audience connection: His deep knowledge of music history, ability to riff on current culture and ease with listeners earned him a loyal fan base.

• Media transition: By moving into podcasting and international media, he demonstrated adaptability — a valuable trait in the evolving media landscape. 

• Legacy: Induction into the NAB Hall of Fame and his long tenure suggest his legacy will remain within radio-broadcast history as a major contributor to morning-drive programming.

From the vantage of radio historians and contemporary broadcasters, Bean’s personal story—from Yorkshire to Los Angeles, from radio to podcasting—offers a blueprint of reinventing oneself while anchored in core talent.

Conclusion

Gene “Bean” Baxter’s journey—from his birth on November 14, 1959, in England to becoming a stalwart of Los Angeles morning radio and then transitioning into podcasting and media consultancy—is a testament to longevity and reinvention. With an estimated net worth of around US $10 million and a stable relationship with Donna H. Mendivil Baxter, his personal and professional lives reflect consistency, focus and quiet influence. His birthday remains emblematic of that enduring presence every November 14, while his age/birthdate continues to mark his place as a seasoned media veteran. For anyone mapping the trajectory of radio personalities transitioning into the digital-media era, the story of Bean Baxter offers both milestones and lessons.