When Leigh Sales announced her departure from 7.30 in early 2022, she stepped away from the nightly grind after nearly 12 years — but not from the ABC, returning to host Australian Story. Here’s what we know about her career moves, the handover to Sarah Ferguson, and the personal questions her fans still ask.

4 related posts

Born: 10 May 1973 ·
Known for: Anchor of ABC’s 7.30 (2011–2022) and Australian Story (2023–present) ·
Award: Member of the Order of Australia (AM) ·
Years at ABC: Over 20 years ·
Children: Two ·
Replaced by: Sarah Ferguson on 7.30 in 2022

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact salary at ABC
  • Current relationship status after 2020 separation
  • Ages of her two sons
  • Specific Bluey episode and character
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues as host of Australian Story
  • Co-hosts podcast Chat 10 Looks 3
  • No announced return to nightly news

Seven key facts sum up the journalist’s public profile, from her full name to her current role.

Label Value
Full name Leigh Peta Sales AM
Date of birth 10 May 1973
Occupation Journalist, Author
Employer Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Notable shows 7.30, Australian Story, Lateline
Marital status Separated (since 2020)
Children 2 sons

Who took over from Leigh Sales on 7.30?

Sarah Ferguson, an investigative journalist already well known to ABC audiences, replaced Sales as the anchor of 7.30 in July 2022. The handover was announced in April 2022, with Ferguson taking the desk on 4 July 2022 (ABC News).

Why did Leigh Sales leave 7.30?

  • Sales announced her departure on air on 10 February 2022, saying she would step down after almost 12 years (ABC News YouTube).
  • She left at the end of June 2022 to take up another role at the ABC (ABC News).
  • Sales later said she had considered a total career change before deciding to stay with the broadcaster (Sydney Morning Herald).

The pattern: a deliberate exit from a high-pressure nightly role, not a retirement. Sales traded the daily grind for a slower storytelling format.

What is Sarah Ferguson’s background?

  • Ferguson was an ABC investigative journalist before taking over 7.30 (ABC News).
  • She previously co-hosted ABC News Breakfast and reported on major investigations.
  • Her appointment was announced on 28 April 2022 (ABC News).

The catch: Ferguson stepped into a program that had been defined by Sales’s style for a decade. The transition was seamless but marked a clear change in tone.

Is Leigh Sales still married?

Sales separated from her husband in 2020. Her ex-husband is not a public figure, and she has not confirmed any remarriage (Sydney Morning Herald).

Who is Leigh Sales’ husband?

  • Sales’s ex-husband is a private individual; his name has not been publicly disclosed.
  • The couple married in the early 2000s and separated after nearly two decades.

When did Leigh Sales separate?

  • Media reports confirmed the separation in mid-2020 (Sydney Morning Herald).
  • Sales has not publicly discussed the details.

What this means: Sales has drawn a firm boundary around her private life. The separation is a matter of record, but she has not allowed it to become a public narrative.

Note: Sales has drawn a firm boundary around her private life.

Does Leigh Sales have a new partner?

There is no public confirmation of a new partner. Sales keeps her personal life out of the spotlight, and no credible reports have surfaced since her separation.

Has Leigh Sales been seen with anyone publicly?

  • No reliable sightings or statements indicate a new relationship.
  • Sales has not addressed the topic in interviews.

The implication: for now, Sales’s personal life remains exactly that—personal. Readers should treat any speculation as unverified.

Warning: Readers should treat any speculation about Sales’s personal life as unverified.

How old are Leigh Sales’ children?

Sales has two sons, born in the early 2010s. Exact ages have not been publicly shared, consistent with her desire to keep her children out of the media (Sydney Morning Herald).

What are the names of Leigh Sales’ children?

  • Sales has not disclosed her sons’ names.
  • She has occasionally mentioned them in interviews without giving identifying details.

The trade-off: public curiosity about her children’s ages is natural, but Sales has chosen privacy over transparency. Respecting that boundary is part of understanding her approach to fame.

Who does Leigh Sales play in Bluey?

Sales lent her voice to a character in an episode of the hit Australian children’s show Bluey. The role is a minor one, not a main or recurring part (ABC News).

What is the role of Leigh Sales in Bluey?

  • She voiced a background character, believed to be a reporter or newsreader.
  • The episode has not been officially confirmed but is rumoured to be a parody of television news.

Which episode features Leigh Sales in Bluey?

  • Speculation points to an episode in the third season.
  • ABC News reported the cameo but did not name the episode (ABC News).

Why this matters: the Bluey cameo shows Sales’s willingness to engage with popular culture, but it’s a light footnote in a career built on serious journalism.

Timeline signal

  • – Birth of Leigh Sales
  • – ABC foreign correspondent in Washington DC
  • – Becomes anchor of 7.30
  • – Separation from husband
  • – Announces departure from 7.30
  • – Final 7.30 program
  • – Sarah Ferguson takes over 7.30
  • – Debut as Australian Story host

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Anchored 7.30 from 2011 to 2022 (Sydney Morning Herald)
  • Sarah Ferguson replaced her as 7.30 host (ABC News)
  • Has two sons and separated from husband in 2020 (Sydney Morning Herald)
  • Voiced a character on Bluey (ABC News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact salary at ABC
  • Current relationship status
  • Ages of her children
  • Exact Bluey episode and role
  • Any new partner details

Quotes from the key players

“I thought about a total career change. But I love the ABC, I love telling stories, and I love the creative process.”

– Leigh Sales, on her decision to stay at the ABC, Sydney Morning Herald

“Sarah Ferguson is a brilliant journalist, and she will bring her own strengths to the program.”

– ABC News executive, on the handover, (ABC News)

Bottom line: Leigh Sales stepped away from the nightly pressure of 7.30 after 12 years, handed the reins to Sarah Ferguson, and returned to the ABC in a storytelling role on Australian Story. For fans wanting to know her personal life: she is separated, has two sons, and keeps her private life private. The Bluey cameo is a fun footnote, but her career legacy is built on serious journalism.
Additional sources

abc.net.au, instagram.com, thesenior.com.au, dailymail.co.uk, en.wikipedia.org, denipt.com.au

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is Leigh Sales doing now?

She hosts Australian Story (since 2023) and co-hosts the podcast Chat 10 Looks 3.

How long was Leigh Sales on 7.30?

She anchored the program from 2011 to June 2022, nearly 12 years.

Has Leigh Sales won any journalism awards?

Yes, she has won multiple Walkley Awards and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Does Leigh Sales write books?

Yes, she authored On Offence: The Politics of Insult and Any Ordinary Day.

What is the podcast Chat 10 Looks 3 about?

Co-hosted with Annabel Crabb, it discusses books, TV, and culture in a casual, conversational style.

Is Leigh Sales active on social media?

She maintains a Twitter/X account but posts infrequently.

What other ABC programs has Leigh Sales hosted?

She has hosted Lateline and been a regular fill-in for ABC News.

Related reading