Robin Roberts (newscaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Roberts
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Roberts in 2019
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| Born | November 23, 1960 |
| Alma mater | Southeastern Louisiana University |
| Occupation | News anchor |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Amber Laign
(m. 2023) |
| Parent(s) | Lawrence E. Roberts (father) |
| Relatives | Sally-Ann Roberts (sister) |
Robin Roberts (born November 23, 1960) is a famous American TV host. She is best known for co-hosting Good Morning America on ABC, a popular morning show.
Robin grew up in Mississippi and went to Southeastern Louisiana University. She started her career as a sports reporter for local TV and radio. Later, she became a well-known sportscaster at ESPN for 15 years. She was even the first woman to co-host a show called NFL Primetime. In 2005, she joined Good Morning America as a main host. Robin was honored in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. She also bravely shared her health journey with a serious blood condition on the show, which helped them win a special award.
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Early Life and Family
Robin Roberts was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. She grew up in Pass Christian, Mississippi. As a kid, she loved playing sports like basketball and tennis. She graduated from Pass Christian High School in 1979.
Robin is the youngest of four children. Her parents were Lucimarian and Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts. Her father was a brave pilot with the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Robin often talks about how her parents taught her "Discipline, Determination, and 'De Lord'."
Education and Sports
Robin went to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She graduated in 1983 with a degree in communication. Her older sister, Sally-Ann Roberts, was also a TV anchor.
Robin was offered a basketball scholarship to another big university. But she chose Southeastern Louisiana University because it felt like a better fit. She ended up getting a tennis scholarship there. Robin was a fantastic basketball player for her college team. She scored 1,446 points and grabbed 1,034 rebounds in her career. She is one of only three players at her school to get over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. In 2011, her jersey number 21 was retired to honor her achievements.
Broadcasting Career Highlights
Robin Roberts started her TV career in 1983. She worked as a sports anchor and reporter in Mississippi and Tennessee. From 1988 to 1990, she was a sports anchor in Atlanta, Georgia. She also hosted a radio show there.
Working at ESPN and ABC News
In 1990, Robin joined ESPN as a sportscaster. She worked there for 15 years. On the show SportsCenter, she was known for saying, "Go on with your bad self!" In 1995, she also started working for ABC News. She became a featured reporter for Good Morning America.
Robin hosted ABC's Wide World of Sports from 1996 to 1998. She worked for both ESPN and Good Morning America for a while. In 2005, she became a main host of Good Morning America. In 2009, George Stephanopoulos joined her as co-anchor. Together, they helped Good Morning America become the number-one morning show in 2012. This was a big achievement, as another show had been number one for 16 years!
In 2005, Robin reported from her hometown in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. Her old high school was completely destroyed. She also hosted the preshow for the Academy Awards in 2009 and 2011.
In 2010, Robin appeared on the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana. She also drove the pace car for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 race. In 2012, Robin was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. This was for her great impact on women's basketball through her playing and broadcasting.
In 2018, Robin helped host the TV coverage of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In 2021, she was a guest host on the popular game show Jeopardy!. Robin also hosts an interview series on Disney+ called Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts.
Other Projects and Productions
Robin has even shown her singing skills! She was a backup singer in the movie Pitch Perfect 2. In 2014, she started her own production company called Rock'n Robin Productions. Her company made a documentary about the Tuskegee Airmen, which her father was a part of. Robin narrated this special film.
Awards and Special Honors
Robin Roberts has received many awards for her amazing work. Here are some of them:
- 2001: Mel Greenberg Media Award
- 2004: Billie Jean King Contribution Award
- 2008: WNBA Inspiration Award
- 2012: Inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
- 2014: Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
- 2015: Named an honorary Harlem Globetrotter
- 2016: Inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame
- 2018: Radio Television Digital News Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2018: National Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award
- 2019: NBA Sager Strong Award
- 2022: Celebrated 20 years with Good Morning America
- 2024: Poynter Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism
Personal Life and Health Journey
Robin Roberts is a Presbyterian and practices Transcendental Meditation. In 2005, she started a relationship with Amber Laign. They got married in September 2023.
In 2007, Robin was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. She had surgery and completed chemotherapy treatments. In 2012, she was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Robin bravely shared her health journey on Good Morning America. This inspired many people to sign up as bone marrow donors.
She took a break from GMA to get a bone marrow transplant. She returned to the show in February 2013. For sharing her story and raising awareness, Robin received a special Peabody Award. She also received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the Sager Strong Award for her strength and inspiration.
See also
In Spanish: Robin Roberts (presentadora de televisión) para niños
- Breakfast television
- Breast cancer awareness
