Charles Gibson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Gibson
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Gibson in 2008
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Charles deWolf Gibson
March 9, 1943 Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
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| Education | Princeton University |
| Occupation | Television journalist |
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Notable credit(s)
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| Spouse(s) | Arlene |
| Children | 2 |
Charles deWolf Gibson (born March 9, 1943) is a well-known American journalist and TV anchor. He was a host for Good Morning America for many years. He also anchored World News with Charles Gibson.
Charles Gibson started his career in 1965. He worked at a student radio station at Princeton University. Later, he became a reporter for local TV stations. In 1975, he joined ABC News. There, he reported from Washington, D.C..
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Early Life and School
Charles Gibson was born on March 9, 1943. His birthplace was Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in Washington, D.C.. He went to Sidwell Friends School, a private school there.
In 1965, Gibson graduated from Princeton University. He earned a degree in history. At Princeton, he was the News Director for the university radio station, WPRB. He also wrote a big paper about problems in Ireland. After college, in 1966, he served in the United States Coast Guard.
Journalism Career Highlights
Starting Out in News
Gibson began working for RKO General in 1966. He was a producer and later a reporter. He worked at WLVA (now WSET) television in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1970, he moved to WMAL-TV (now WJLA) in Washington, D.C. This station was connected to ABC.
In 1974, Gibson joined Television News Inc. (TVN). For TVN, he covered important events. These included the Watergate scandal investigations. He also reported on President Richard Nixon's resignation.
Joining ABC News
Reporting from the Field
Charles Gibson joined ABC News in 1975. He was a White House correspondent from 1976 to 1977. This meant he reported on the President. From 1977 to 1981, he was a general reporter. Then, from 1981 to 1987, he reported on the United States House of Representatives.
Gibson also filled in as an anchor for other shows. These included World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. He also anchored ABC World News Saturday.
Hosting Good Morning America
On February 23, 1987, Gibson became a co-anchor of Good Morning America (GMA). He hosted alongside Joan Lunden. For many years, GMA was the most-watched morning show.
In 1990, Gibson hosted a TV show. It was about problem gambling.
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Gibson interviewed important people. He spoke with Vice President Dan Quayle. He also interviewed presidential candidates Ross Perot and Bill Clinton. He even interviewed President George H. W. Bush.
On May 1, 1998, Gibson left Good Morning America. Kevin Newman took his place. But the show's viewership dropped. So, ABC brought Gibson back on January 18, 1999. He co-hosted with Diane Sawyer. He stayed until June 28, 2006. He then left to anchor World News Tonight.
On September 11, 2001, Gibson was anchoring GMA. He and Diane Sawyer were covering the World Trade Center attacks. His quick understanding of the events was praised.
In 2004, Gibson led a presidential debate. It was between President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry. The debate happened in St. Louis, Missouri.
Anchoring World News with Charles Gibson
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In 2005, Gibson started filling in as anchor for World News Tonight. This was because the main anchor, Peter Jennings, was getting treatment for lung cancer. On August 7, 2005, Gibson announced Jennings's death. He then anchored the show the next day.
Gibson was a top choice to replace Jennings. But he and ABC News President David Westin disagreed. They couldn't agree on how long he would be the anchor. So, Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff were chosen instead.
After Woodruff was injured in Iraq in 2006, and Vargas announced she was pregnant, Gibson was named the sole anchor of World News Tonight. This happened on May 23, 2006. Vargas decided to resign from the program. She wanted to spend more time with her new baby.
In the summer of 2006, the show's name changed. It became World News with Charles Gibson. Gibson had planned to retire in 2007. But he stayed on to anchor the newscast.
During the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Gibson co-moderated a debate. It was between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. This debate was broadcast by ABC News.
On September 11, 2008, Gibson interviewed Sarah Palin. She was the Republican vice-presidential candidate. This was her first interview after being chosen.
During Gibson's time, World News was very competitive. It sometimes beat NBC Nightly News in ratings. This was the first time in years. ABC News announced on September 2, 2009, that Diane Sawyer would replace Gibson. Gibson anchored his final World News broadcast on December 18, 2009.
Recent Work and Activities
In December 2010, Gibson spoke at a Harvard University event. He shared "Lessons Learned as an ABC News Anchor."
In 2016, he appeared as a news anchor in the TV series House of Cards. He also contributed to ABC News' live election coverage on November 8, 2016.
On May 2, 2022, Gibson returned to ABC. He started a podcast called The Bookcase. He hosts it with his daughter, Kate. The podcast features authors and talks about books. The first episode featured Oprah Winfrey. Charles and Kate often appear on Good Morning America to talk about books.
Awards and Recognitions
In 1973, Charles Gibson received a National Journalism Fellowship. The Radio Television Digital News Association gave him the Paul White Award in 2006. In 2008, Quinnipiac University honored him with the Fred Friendly First Amendment Award.
Personal Life
Charles Gibson's wife, Arlene Gibson, is an educator. She retired in 2006. She was the head of school at The Spence School in New York City. She also worked at other schools.
Charles and Arlene have two daughters, Jessica and Katherine. In 2006, Jessica had a baby. This made Charles a grandfather for the first time.
The Gibson family has lived in Summit, New Jersey.
From 2006 to 2015, Gibson was a member of the board of trustees at Princeton University.
Gibson has given commencement speeches at colleges. He spoke at Vassar College in 1989. In 2006, he spoke at Monmouth University. He also received an honorary degree there. In 2007, he spoke at Union College. He received another honorary degree. He also helped create a scholarship at Union College. It is named after his father, who graduated from the college.
Career Timeline
- 1966–1974 – Worked as a producer, reporter, and anchor for local TV stations. He also covered the Watergate scandal investigations for TVN.
- 1970–1973 – Anchor and reporter at WMAL-TV in Washington, D.C..
- 1977–1981 – General reporter for ABC News.
- 1981–1987 – Chief reporter for the United States House of Representatives for ABC News.
- February 1987–May 1998; January 1999–June 2006 – Co-anchor of Good Morning America.
- 1998–2000 – Co-anchor of 20/20.
- 2000–2004 – Co-anchor of Primetime.
- October 2004 – Moderated a presidential debate between George W. Bush and John Kerry.
- May 2006–December 2009 – Anchor of World News with Charles Gibson.
- January 2008 – Moderated debates for both Democratic and Republican candidates.
- April 2008 – Co-moderated a Democratic presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
- September 2008 – Conducted the first major interview with Sarah Palin as a vice-presidential candidate.
- September 2009 – ABC News announced Gibson's plans to retire.
- December 18, 2009 – Gibson delivered his final broadcast on World News.
- May 2022–present – Co-hosts the podcast The Bookcase with his daughter.
