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 television host. She is best known as the co-anchor of ABC's popular morning show, Good Morning America. Before becoming a news anchor, Robin was a well-known sportscaster. She worked for ESPN for 15 years.
Robin grew up in Mississippi and went to Southeastern Louisiana University. She started her career reporting on sports for local TV and radio. In 2005, she became a main host on Good Morning America. Robin was honored in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. She also bravely shared her health journey with a serious illness, which inspired many people.
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Early Life and Family
Robin Roberts was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. She spent her childhood in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Growing up, she loved playing sports, especially basketball and tennis. She graduated from Pass Christian High School in 1979.
Robin's parents were Lucimarian and Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts. Her father was a brave pilot known as a Tuskegee Airman. Robin is the youngest of four children. Her siblings are Sally-Ann, Lawrence Jr. (called Butch), and Dorothy. Robin often talks about how her parents taught her important values like discipline and determination.
Education and Sports
Robin Roberts attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. She graduated in 1983 with a degree in communication. Her older sister, Sally-Ann Roberts, also works in television.
Robin was offered a scholarship to play basketball at another university. However, she chose Southeastern Louisiana University because it felt like a better fit. She received a scholarship for tennis there. Robin became an amazing basketball player for her university team. She scored 1,446 points and grabbed 1,034 rebounds during her college career. This made her one of the top players in the school's history. In 2011, Southeastern Louisiana University retired her jersey number, 21, to honor her achievements.
Broadcasting Career Highlights
Robin Roberts began her career in 1983 as a sports anchor and reporter. She worked at TV stations in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, Mississippi. Later, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and then to Atlanta, Georgia. In Atlanta, she also hosted a radio show.
Joining ESPN and ABC News
In 1990, Robin joined ESPN as a sportscaster. She became very popular there and was known for her catchphrase, "Go on with your bad self!" While at ESPN, she also started working for ABC News in 1995. She was a featured reporter for Good Morning America.
From 1996 to 1998, Robin also hosted ABC's Wide World of Sports. She worked for both ESPN and Good Morning America for several years. In 2005, Robin was promoted to co-anchor 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 it beat Today which had been number one for 16 years.
After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Robin reported from her hometown of Pass Christian, Mississippi. The hurricane caused a lot of damage there. Robin also hosted the Academy Awards preshow for ABC in 2009 and 2011.
In 2010, Robin appeared as a guest star 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 recognized her important contributions to women's basketball through her playing and broadcasting.
On May 19, 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 game show Jeopardy!. Robin also hosts the Disney+ interview series Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts, which started in 2021.
Other Projects
Robin Roberts also has her own production company called Rock'n Robin Productions, which she started in 2014. She was an executive producer and narrator for a documentary called Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage. This film honored the brave Tuskegee Airmen, including her father. It premiered on History in 2021.
Awards and Recognitions
Robin Roberts has received many awards for her work in journalism and sports. Some of her notable honors include:
- 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 her 20th anniversary 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 2023, Robin married Amber Laign.
Health Challenges and Inspiration
In 2007, Robin was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. She had surgery and completed chemotherapy treatments. She bravely shared her journey with viewers.
In 2012, Robin faced another serious health challenge. She was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare blood disorder. She needed a bone marrow transplant. Robin took a break from Good Morning America for her treatment. She returned to the show in February 2013. Her openness about her illness inspired many people. A non-profit organization called Be the Match Registry saw a huge increase in people signing up to be bone marrow donors after Robin shared her story.
For her courage and for raising awareness about her disease, Robin received a 2012 Peabody Award. She also received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in 2013. These awards recognized how she inspired hundreds of potential bone marrow donors.
Images for kids
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Roberts in 2019
See also
In Spanish: Robin Roberts (presentadora de televisión) para niños
